The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-02-28
BIRD STUDY
A Series of Articles on the
Habits of Birds That
Visit Madison
III BLUEBIRD


It is the Gulf States or the West In
dies that the common bluebirds spend
the greater part of the winter months
They arrive in these regions from the
northern ATTITUDES about the FIRST of
December and live there in focks until
al out the fist of February. AS the
mating usually occurs on their north
ward trip. they have separated into
small groups of three or four by the
first Of March, the time they bave
reached the northern latitude. Some
continue their northward migration
until they reach the southern boundary
of Canada.
The SNOW has not always melted north
of the fortieth parallel before this
plaintive warbler that
spring lie approaching. 10 fact he is
one of the first of the migratory birds
to be seen, often preceding the robin.
Their spirited spring song is a plain
tive note consisting Of the three syl-
tables. "troo e-lee, troo-e-lee,' and
is easily initiated by any boy. They
spend several days in fitting about
the orchards and yards apparently
searching for a suitable summer home.
They may be seen Investigating the
woodpecker's nest of the year before,
the holes in the fedce posts or the
fruit-tre or the small bird houses
that may have been built especially
for them. Not u~nfrequently thsy will
build the nest in the thick foliage of a
hedge row, rose thicket or a syringa
bush. Ii a small bird house is built
on "A post or other upright projection,
the chances are that this sky-tiuted
bird will make 1t his home for the
summer and in doing so will rear at
least two broods. If bits of cloth are
scattered near the bird box it will
help the pair materially in the con
~struction of the nest. LII seems that
any lind takes into consideration in
building his home, the food supply.
the materials for nest construction and
the danger from his enemies.
Duriog the early spring the blue
bird's food consists of weed seeds and
the cocoons that he finds en- the
trunks of fruit and foliage trees. A
little later in the season he depends
upon the insect life common to
orchards and gardens. He is to the
fruit or ornamental tree what the
toad ia to the garden.
By the middle Of April or the first
of May the nest has been completed
and the five or six blush white eggs
have been laid. In about twelve days
the Matching occurs and for several
days the young are almost a black and
quite often the blue does not show
until they are ready to leave the nest.
The male bird obtains the greater par.
of the food for both the mother and
the young. As they spend the greater
part of the fruit season in the same
locality they are of inestimable value
in reducing the number of insect
pests. AS they do not start on their
southwark journey until late in the
fall they also help &c quite an extent
in lessening the weed seeds in the
early fall. The trees have often be-
come bare and all insect life hidden
before they leave for their long fight.
Just previous to leaving for the south
they may be seen gathering together
in fiocks and spending the entire day
in search of food, really a prepare
tion for the arduous trip. II is also
noticeable hat the spirited song of
| the %springtime is changed to one with
a harsher and a sadder note.
These birds. whose mere presence
adds much to any orchard Or group of
shrubbery, are easily recognized on
account Of their familiar coloring.
Their amiable dispositions and trust.
full, sociable manners make them gen
eral favorites.