BeH oiseau bleu» Bleu is used figuratively in

French to express a superlative of excellence. The Knights of the Holy Ghost, an order founded by Henry III, wore a wide sash, oalled the Blue Bibbon. This term gaye rise tô a number of expressions : cordon hku^ a good cook ; bas bleu, blue stocking ; conte bleu, f airy taie ; colère bleue^ a great rage ; oiseau bleu, excellent f ellow.