SYLVIAD/E. 
6 6 
time, of caterpillars, slugs, worms. See., under these sheltering 
plants, and its presence is often not perceived until in the 
act of flying off. 
In its habit, therefore, this species appears much to resem¬ 
ble the redbreast; it is also as solitary in the summer, and 
as pugnacious, never allowing one of its own species to in¬ 
trude upon its established haunts. Its flight, also, exactly 
resembles that of the redbreast, performed near the ground, 
and consisting of jerks, or springs, caused by the successive 
expansion and closing of the wings. When on the ground, 
this species stands very upright, in the manner of the night¬ 
ingale, displaying its breast; it hops very quickly, then runs 
a feAv steps with its wings lowered, and tail erect, and hops 
again ; in running, it moves its legs with a motion so quick 
that the eye can hardly follow. 
The song of this species, although sweet and pleasing, 
is much inferior to that of the nightingale or redbreast: 
some of its notes are said, by Bechstein, to resemble those 
of the wagtails. It is often heard to sinw dminff the night. 
o o o o 
Its call is tack-tack, feed-feed! When caged, it is a lively 
and sociable bird, and readily attaches itself to man. 
In manners, this warbler appears to be very engaging. 
“ Its beauty, sprightliness, and sociability,” says Bechstein, 
“ unite in rendering the Blue-breast delightful. Its agree¬ 
able song,” he also mentions, “ sounds like two voices at 
once; one deep, resembling the gentle humming of a violin 
string, the other like the soft sound of a flute.” 
This species is fond of bathing, and, in that exercise, 
drenches itself completely, like the redbreast; it has been 
observed never to bathe until the afternoon. It has a 
peculiarity in roosting that more resembles the habits of 
the larks than those of the warblers, namely, that it always 
sleeps upon the ground. 
AMren caged, this bird requires the same food as the 
