THE THRUSH FAMILY 23 



speckled, thrush-like vests similar to their cousin's, the 

 baby robin's; and it is not until they are able to fly that the 

 lovely deep blue shade gradually appears on their grayish 

 upper parts. Then their throat, breast, and sides turn 

 rusty red. While creatures are helpless, a prey for any 

 enemy to poimce upon. Nature does not dress them con- 

 spicuously. Adult birds, that are able to look out for 

 themselves, may be very gaily dressed, but their children 

 must wear sombre clothes until they grow strong and wise. 



Young bluebirds are far less wild and noisy than robins, 

 but their very sharp little claws discourage handling. 

 These pointed hooks on the ends of their toes help them to 

 climb out of the tree hollow, that is their natural home, 

 into the big world that their presence makes so cheerful. 



As might be expected of creatures so heavenly in color, 

 the disposition of bluebirds is particularly angelic. 

 Gentleness and amiability are expressed in their soft 

 musical voice. Tru-al-ly, tru-al-ly, they sweetly assert 

 when we can scarcely believe that spring is here; and tur- 

 wee, tur-wee they softly call in autumn when they go roam- 

 ing through the countryside in flocks of azure. Neverthe- 

 less, in a fair fight for the possession of a bird house, they 

 will worst English sparrows nine times out of ten. 



With the first cool days of autumn, bluebirds collect in 

 flocks, often associating with song sparrows, robins, orioles, 

 and kingbirds in sheltered, sunny places where insects are 

 still plentiful. Their steady, undulating flight now be- 

 comes erratic as they take food on the wing — a habit that 

 they may have learned by association with the kingbirds, 

 for they also have adopted the habit of perching upon some 

 conspicuous lookout and then suddenly launching out into 

 the air for a passing insect and returning to their perch. 



