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Range (Eastern North America) (VII)

"Eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains, including eastern Mexico and Alaska. Breeds from near the southern border of the United States northward to the arctic coast; winters from southern Canada and the Northern States (irregularly) southward" (A. O. U.). Washington, rather common S. R., abundant T. V., from Feb. to Apl.; irregularly common W. V. Sing Sing, common S. R., Mch. 4 to Oct. 30; a few winter. Cambridge, very abundant S. R., common but irregular W. V. Nest, of coarse grasses, leaves, rootlets, etc., with an inner wall of mud and lining of fine grasses, most frequently in fruit or shade trees, five to thirty feet up. Eggs, three to five, greenish blue, very rarely with brownish markings, 1.14 x 80.

While the few Robins that have the courage to winter with us are seeking protection from chilling winds in the depths of friendly evergreens, their comrades who extended their journey to the south are holding carnival under sunny skies. In Florida, during the winter, Robins may be found in enormous flocks, feeding on the berries of the China tree, holly, and mistletoe. Occasionally they give voice to a half-suppressed chorus, as though rehearsing for the approaching season of song.

Robins migrate in flocks, and the arrival of the advance guard makes the dreariest March day seem bright. It is a question whether these pioneers are summer residents or transients en route to a more northern summer home, but in my experience they make the sunny side of some woods their headquarters and remain there until paired. They are then in full song, and we see them in their accustomed haunts about our lawns and orchards.

Toward the last of June the young of the first brood, with the old males, resort in numbers nightly to a roosting place. These roosts are generally in deciduous second growths, usually in low, but sometimes on high ground. The females are now occupied with the cares of a second family, and the males are said to return each day to assist them in their duties.* * See studies of Robins' roosts, by William Brewster, in Auk. x, 1890, pp. 360-373, and Bradford Torrey in The Foot-path Way, 1892, pp. 153-175. THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC.

Early in September, when the nesting season is over, Robins gather in large flocks, and from this time until their departure for the south roam about the country in search of food, taking in turn wild cherries, dogwood and cedar berries. The songs and call-notes of the Robin, while well known to every one, are in reality understood by no one, and offer excellent subjects for the student of bird language. Its notes express interrogation, suspicion, alarm, caution, and it signals to its companions to take wing; indeed, few of our birds have a more extended vocabulary. The VARIED THRUSH (763. Hesperocichla nævia), a species of western North America, has been recorded from Massachusetts, Long Island, and New Jersey. 765. Saxicola œnanthe (Linn.). WHEATEAR; STONE-CHAT. Ad. 8. -Upper parts light gray; forehead and upper tail-coverts white; cheeks and wings black; the basal two thirds of the tail white, the end black; under parts whitish, more or less washed with buffy. Ad. 2.-Similar, but duller, the black grayer, the white parts more buffy. Ad. in winter and Im.-Upper parts cinnamon-brown, wings edged with lighter; upper tail-coverts and base of the tail white; end of the tail black, tipped with buffy; under parts ochraceous-buff. L., 6.25; W., 4.00; T., 2.20; B., 50. Range." Europe, North Africa, Asia, Alaska, Greenland, and Labrador, straggling south to Nova Scotia, Maine, Long Island, and the Bermudas " (A. O. U.).

Nest, of moss and grasses, usually in crevices among rocks. Eggs, four to seven, bluish white, 81 x 59.

This European species is a common summer resident in Greenland. It has been found nesting in Labrador, and there is evidence of its having bred at Godbout, Province of Quebec (see Merriam, Auk, ii, 1885, p. 305; Comeau, ibid., vii, 1890, p. 294). South of these points it is of accidental occurrence.

Mr. Saunders writes: "From early spring onward the Wheatear is to be seen, jerking its white tail as it flits along, uttering its sharp chack, chack, on open downs, warrens, and the poorer land; ascending the mountains almost to the highest summits. ... "The song of the male is rather pretty, and the bird also displays considerable powers of imitating other species." 766. Sialia sialis (Linn.). BLUEBIRD. (See Figs. 2 and 59, a.) Ad. 8.-Upper parts, wings, and tail bright blue, tipped with rusty in the fall; throat, breast, and sides dull cinnamon-rufous; belly white. Ad. q. Upper parts with a grayish tinge; throat, breast, and sides paler. Young in nestling plumage.-Back spotted with whitish; the breast feathers margined with fuscous. L., 7.01; W., 3.93; T., 2.58; B., 47.

Range.-United States; breeds from the Gulf States to Manitoba and THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC.

Nova Scotia; winters from southern Illinois and southern New York southward. Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, common S. R., Mch. 6 to Nov. 1; more numerous during migrations, in Mch. and Nov.

Nest, of grasses, in hollow trees or bird-houses. Eggs, four to six, bluish white, sometimes plain white, 85 x 65.

A bird so familiar as the Bluebird needs no introduction; in fact, he seems so at home in our orchards and gardens or about our dwellings that one wonders what he did for a home before the white man came.

In the winter, it is true, Bluebirds are greater rovers, and one may see them in the Southern States whirling through the woods in great flocks or feeding on the berries of the mistletoe. But the warmth of returning spring reminds them of cozy bird-boxes or hospitable pear or apple trees, and soon we see them inspecting last summer's home, evidently planning repairs and alterations.

The Bluebird's disposition is typical of all that is sweet and amiable. His song breathes of love; even his fall call-note-tùr-wee, tùrwee-is soft and gentle. So associated is his voice with the birth and death of the seasons that to me his song is freighted with all the gladness of springtime, while the sad notes of the birds passing southward tell me more plainly than the falling leaves that the year is dying. APPENDIX I.

A FIELD KEY TO OUR COMMONER EASTERN LAND BIRDS.

ACTING upon a suggestion, I have prepared as an Appendix to the Handbook the following field key to those birds which, either because of their abundance or conspicuous colors, most frequently attract our attention. With the object of making it as brief, and consequently as simple, as possible, I have omitted species which can be referred to their respective families without difficulty-for example, Hawks, Owls, Woodpeckers, and Swallows. It is designed simply as an aid to the first steps of the beginner, who will soon graduate from it to the more detailed keys in the body of the book. Like the field keys to Finches and Sparrows, and Warblers, after which it is modeled, it is based largely upon adult males. Its use will be found fully explained on page 34.

First Group.- With yellow or orange in the plumage.