BLUEBIRD 



41 



Fig. 16. 



Bluebird : Sialia sialis. 



Adult male, upper parts deep blue ; throat and breast reddisli 

 brown ; belly white. Adult female, upper parts graj-ish blue ; 

 under parts duller. Young, in nestling- plumage, spotted with 

 whitish. Length, about 7 inches. 



Geographic Distribution. — Eastern United States ; breeds 

 from the Gulf states to Manitoba and Nova Scotia ; Avinters 

 from southern Illinois and southern Xew York southward. 



Although the Bhiebircl did not come over in 

 the Mayflower, it is said that when the Pilgrim 

 Fathers came to New England this bird was one 

 of the first whose gentle warblings attracted their 

 notice, and, from its resemblance to the beloved 

 Robin Redbreast of their native land, they called 

 it the Bine Robin. From that time on, this 

 beautiful bird has shown itself so responsive to 

 friendly treatment that it has won a deep place 



