THE STONE GHAT. 
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song. Many persons are in the habit of arranging a box with a hole in the side as a nest-box 
for the Blue-bird, and the grateful little creature never fails to take advantage of the domicile 
thus offered to it, and to pour forth its thanks in frequent music. 
Although, as a rule, the Blue-bird is not seen except in the spring and summer months, it 
is evident that some specimens must remain throughout the winter, as even in the depth of the 
cold season, a few days of sunshine and warmth are sure to witness the presence of two or 
three Blue-birds that have been tempted by the genial warmth to leave for a while the snowy 
nome in which they have been resting. The habits of this pretty bird are very interesting, 
and not the least so is the extreme care which it takes of its nest and young, sitting near them 
and singing its best, and occasionally flying off and returning with a caterpillar or other insect 
for their benefit. 
The Blue-bird builds its nest in the hollows of decaying trees and other similar situations, 
where the eggs and nest are well sheltered from the rain and cold. The eggs are generally 
from four to six in number, and their color is a pale blue. Two broods are generally pro- 
duced in a single season, and it is not uncommon for the bird to rear a third brood later in 
the year, should the weather be propitious. The food of this bird consists of various insects, 
chiefly those of the coleopterous order, spiders, small worms, and in the autumn of soft fruits 
and seeds. The bright, cheerful song of the Blue-bird is heard throughout the greater part of 
the year, commencing at the end of February or the beginning of March, and not ceasing until 
the end of October. The spring, however, is the season which is most enlivened by the song. 
This species is widely and plentifully spread throughout the greater part of North 
America, and during the cold weather moves southward towards Brazil, Mexico, Gfuinea, and 
the neighboring parts, beginning its migration about November. The total length of the Blue- 
bird is rather more than seven inches, and its coloring is as follows : The head, back of 
the neck, and the whole upper surface is of a rich azure with purple reflections, excepting the 
shafts of the quill-feathers of the wing and tail, which are jetty black, and produce a very 
pleasing effect when contrasted with the blue. The quill -feathers of the wing are also black 
at their extremities. The throat, breast, and sides are rich ruddy chestnut, and the abdomen 
is white. The female is similar to her mate in coloring, but the tints are not so bright. 
The Blue-bird [Sicilia sialis). This favorite songster is one of the earliest visitors, arriv- 
ing from the South about the middle of March, and sometimes earlier. 
Wilson says of him: “The pleasing and sociable disposition of this little bird, entitles 
him to especial recognition. As one of the first messengers 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 everybody. The usual spring and summer song of the 
Blue-bird is a soft, agreeable, and oft-repeated warble, uttered with open, quivering wings, 
and is extremely pleasing. In his motions and general character, he has great resemblance to 
Robin Redbreast of England ; and had he the brown-olive of that bird, instead of the blue, 
could scarcely be distinguished from him.” 
The California Blue-bird ( Sialia mexicana) is an inhabitant of the Pacific coast. The 
preceding species is not seen west of the Mississippi River, the present species taking its 
place on the west of this line. The shade of blue in this species is more intense than in the 
Eastern. 
The Rocky Mountain Blue-bird (, Sialia arctica ) is one of Audubon’s discoveries. It is 
a lighter blue than the two preceding species, and has none of the brown shade. The bill 
is stouter and longer. The wings are longer in proportion to the body, reaching nearly to the 
end of the tail. It inhabits the high, dry, central plains in upper Missouri to the Rocky 
Mountain range, and south to Mexico, being rare on the coast of California. 
The Stonechat ( Saxicola amanthe) is an allied species, called in Europe the Wheatear 
It is a straggler in Greenland. 
