BLUE-BIRD 



SYLVIA SIALIS. 

 [Plate in.— Fig. 3.] 



Le Rouge gorge bleit, De Buff on V, 212. PL enl. 390. — Blue Warbler^ Lath. II, 446. — - 

 Catesb, I, 47. — Motacilla sialis, Linn. Syst. 336. — Bartram,/?. 291. — Peale'sJ/w- 

 seum, No. 7188. 



THE pleasing manners and sociable disposition of this little 

 bird entitle him to particular notice. As one of the first messen- 

 gers of spring, bringing the charming tidings to our very doors, he 

 bears his own recommendation always along with him, and meets 

 with a hearty welcome from every body. 



Tho generally accounted a bird of passage; yet so early as 

 the middle of February, if the weather be open, he usually makes 

 his appearance about his old haunts, the barn, orchard and fence- 

 posts. Storms and deep snows sometimes succeeding, he disap- 

 pears for a time ; but about the middle of March is again seen, ac- 

 companied by his mate, visiting the box in the garden, or the hole 

 in the old apple-tree, the cradle of some generations of his ances- 

 tors. When he first begins his amours," says a curious and cor- 

 rect observer, " it is pleasing to behold his courtship, his solicitude 

 " to please and to secure the favor of his beloved female. He uses 

 the tenderest expressions, sits close by her, caresses and sings to 

 " her his most endearing warblings. When seated together, if he 

 " espies an insect delicious to her taste, he takes it up, flies with it 

 " to her, spreads his wing over her and puts it in her mouth."* If 

 a rival makes his appearance, (for they are ardent in their loves,) 



* Letter from Mr. William Bartram to the author. 



