402 'l‘llRL'SllES, BLUEBIRDS, E' ‘C.

Early in September, when the nesting season is over, Robins gather in large lloeks, and from this time until their departure for the south roam about the country in search of food, taking in turn wild cher- ries, dogwood and cedar berries.

The songs and eallvnotes 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, sus- picion, alarm, caution, and it signals to its companions to take Wing; indeed, few of our birds have a more extended vocabulary.

The Valuer) Tnut‘su (703. Iflwperocz’eMa nurrz‘n‘), a species of western North America, has been reeorded from Massachusetts, Long Island, and New Jersey.

765. Saxicola. (Bnanthe (Li/171.). WHEATKAR; STONE—CHAT. Ad. 5. —-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 butt’y. All. 9 .#Similar, but duller, the black grayer, the white parts more bufiy. All. in winter and Im.—Upper parts cinnamon—brown, wings edged with lighter; upper tai1~coverts and base of the tail white ; end of the tail black, tipped with bufl'y ; under parts ochra- ceous—butf. L., 6'25; \V., 4'00; T., 2'20; B., '50.

Range.—“ Europe. North Africa, Asia, Alaska, Greenland, and Labrador, straggling south to Nova Seotia, Maine, Long Island, and the Bermudas” (A. O. U.).

Nest. of moss and grasses, usuall)~ in crevices among rocks. Eggs, four to seven, bluish white, ‘51 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; Corneau. 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 chuck, Mark, on open downs, warrcns, 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 (Lillihl. BLI'Elmm. (See Figs. '2 and 59, 0.) Ad. 5.~['pper parts, wings, and tail bright blue. tipped with rusty in the tall; throat, breast, and sides dull einnamon-rufbus; belly white. Ad. 9,“ Upper parts with a grayish tinge; throat. breast. and sides paler. Young/ in nestling Melange—Back spotted with whitish; the breast feathers murgined with t'useous. .11., 7'01 ; \V., 3‘93; ’l‘., 2'58; 13., ‘47.

Ii’tzllgr.—l,'iiitetl States; breeds from the (lnlf States to Manitoba and