24 
SI ALIA SIALIS. 
NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, built usually in holes of trees or stubs, and composed of dried grasses, smoothly arranged. They are 
rather shallow. External diameter, 4 inches; internal, 2-50 inches. External depth, 2 inches; internal, 1 inch. 
Eggs, usually five in number, oval in form, pale blue in color, varying somewhat in shade even in the same nest. 
Dimensions, from -68x-80 to -62x-75. There is no perceptible difference in size or color between those taken in Florida 
and in New England. 
HABITS. 
The first whistle of the Blue Birds is heard in Massachusetts in early March, when the snows 
of winter still linger in the valleys; but when we hear their mellow notes we know that warm 
weather is rapidly approaching, for the instincts of these harbingers of spring are rarely at fault. 
They are seen in small flocks upon their arrival, and frequent the orchards, fields, and meadows, 
where they catch a large number of insects, alighting upon the ground for this purpose, but when 
one is captured they fly to the top of a stake or fence to eat it. These birds are very useful 
in destroying injurious insects; subsisting almost exclusively upon them. Out of forty 
seven specimens, Avhich I have dissected, the stomachs of thirty-eight contained insectivorous 
food alone; five taken when the ground was partially frozen, in early spring, had eaten dried 
barberries and insects, while the remaining three had taken berries only. 
They continue in flocks until the first of April, when they pair, and by the middle of the 
month begin to breed. A hole in an old apple tree, or the deserted nest of a Woodpecker, 
is usually selected for an abode; but sometimes they will make their homes in Martin-boxes. If 
a box chances to be occupied by some White-bellied Swallows or House Wrens, and a pair of 
Blue Birds take a fancy to it, they coolly expel the owners, in spite of their noisy remonstrances, 
and appropriate the nest within to their own use. Sometimes they will select an aperture in 
a building as a breeding place, or a knot hole in a hollow fence post, and if undisturbed will 
return to such places season after season. I once knew of a pair, or their successors, which 
nested for many years in an old pump, the spout of which formed a convenient entrance. This 
stood in a yard, near a dwelling, where people were constantly passing, yet the birds never 
manifested any alarm, but occupied the place until the pump was removed. 
The male pays close attention to the female previous to depositing her eggs, and during the 
season of incubation. They are very affectionate, and if one is shot, the survivor will alight 
near it, or flutter over it, sounding the alarm note in such a plaintive manner that all the Blue 
Birds in hearing will gather closely around. If the victim is only wounded, and taken in the 
hand, it will scream loudly for assistance ; then its half distracted companion will dash at the 
enemy’s head with fury, often snapping its bill within a foot of his face. The others, which 
have been attracted by these cries, display great concern as well as boldness, and if one is so 
disposed he may shoot them one by one without any leaving the spot, provided some of the 
maimed are allowed to remain in sight. 
Two broods are commonly reared during the summer, in Massachusetts, but I think only one 
is brought out in Florida. The time of nesting there is not much earlier than at the North. I 
discovered a nest at Miami, on March 28th, in a stub, which stood in the pine barrens. It was 
built in a hole about twelve feet from the ground, and at that time there were only a few straws 
deposited in the bottom, but upon visiting it again on April 12th I found four fresh eggs. 
Another nest was taken at Dunn’s Lake, by Mr. Barton, during the first part of April, which 
also contained only four eggs ; so I judge this to be the number commonly laid in this section. 
It is a singular fact that many species which breed both North and South lay a smaller number 
of eggs in the latter place. 
About the first of September the Blue Birds of New England collect into large flocks, then, 
as the season advances, commence their southern march, and by the first of November they have 
nearly all disappeared. They continue in small flocks all winter in Florida, frequenting the 
