172 American Birds 



It lives largely on caterpillars, grasshoppers, and wild berries. It is 

 called the forerunner of spring because it often comes before the first 

 spring days begin. 



Bluebird (Stala stalis): Male, azure blue above; wings, blue with 

 dark edgings; breast, brick-red and lower parts, white. Female, duller 

 blue; breast, paler and more brownish. Young birds have speckled 

 breast. Lives throughout eastern United States, one of the first birds to 

 arrive from the South, coming generally in March. Nests in an aban- 

 doned woodpecker hole or in a bird-house. From four to six pale blue 

 eggs. 



Western Bluebird (Stala mexicana occidentalis): Resembles the 

 above closely, with more reddish-brown on the back. Inhabits the 

 Pacific Coast region. 



