OUR HOME BIRDS. 
171 
into the cage, he always distinguished hers, and gave 
it every mark of preference.” 
“Here is another rich-plumaged bird,” continued 
Miss Harson, as they turned again to the pictures. 
“ Notice the beautiful sky-blue tinge which deepens 
on the head to ultramarine, with a tinge of purple ; 
while the color of the body, tail, and wings varies in 
some lights to the exquisite shades on the breast of 
the peacock. The wings and tail, you see, are black, 
edged with light blue. This is the indigo-bird, one 
of our most showy summer visitors. 
“ This bird is only five inches long, and builds his 
nest in a low bush, among rank grass, grain, or clover, 
suspended by two twigs, one passing up each side : 
and it is composed outwardly of flax and lined with 
fine dry grass. Sometimes its nest is found in the 
hollow of an apple tree. There are five blue eggs, 
with a blotch of purple at the great end. 
“ The indigo-bird is seen about gardens, fields of 
deep clover, the borders of woods, and roadsides, 
where it is frequently perched on the fences. ‘ In 
its manners it is extremely active and neat, and is a 
vigorous and pretty good songster. It mounts to the 
highest top of a large tree, and chants for half an 
hour at a time. Its song is not one continued strain, 
but a repetition of short notes, commencing loud and 
