OF VIRGINIA 245 
Like the following species, it derives part of its name 
from the plumage of the male; and a handsome blue it 
is. But its only comparison with the Indigo Bunting 
lies in its color, for, as a songster, it is found sadly want- 
ing, its chief note being a loud chirp. A late arrival in 
the spring, about April 26th, nest building seldom 
commences before May 10th. My earliest record for eggs 
is May 31st. The female seems to have a preference tor 
securing the nest material, or most of it, from around the 
barn and outbuildings of the farm, grasses and straws 
dropped from the loads of hay, being used in the main 
foundation. Second growth bushes, such as oaks and 
locust, are preferred, and seem to be their natural nesting 
sites, while around my farm they resort to the grape vines 
trailed on longitudinal wires, and young trees in the 
orchard, notably pear and cherry. <A single pair coming 
under my personal observation during the season of 1910, 
had three sets of three eggs each, two broods being raised, 
first and last. The first set, June 5rd, second set August 
5th, and last set, voung just hatched August 26th. I do 
not think, as a rule, second broods are always undertaken. 
The nest is rather a handsome atfair, and is well made, 
from three to four feet up, placed in an upright crotch 
and composed of weed stems, dry leaves and leaf skele- 
tons, grasses and straws, snake skins and plant down; 
lined with fine grasses or horse hair. Three to four eggs 
is a complete set. Size, .85x.65. Pale bluish-white, 
unmarked. The female is a close sitter, often allowing 
one to almost touch her before flushing. While they 
undoubtedly took some grapes for the seed, when having 
young in my vineyard, their preference is for seeds, and 
one can always find a pair of them feeding in the early 
rye and oat fields, though their damage is so slight as 
to be unnoticeable. Later on, as the weed stalks furnish 
