WESTERN BIRDS Bluebird 



GENUS SIALIA: BLUEBIRD. 

 (Eastern.) 



Bluebird: Sialia sialis sialis. 

 FAMILY— THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 



The Bluebird is another member of the Thrush family 

 that is known and beloved by all. With Robin Red- 

 breast he heralds the coming of spring throughout the 

 eastern States, and because of his bright plumage and 

 pleasing ways, delights all beholders. It is about six 

 and one-half inches long and a beautiful bright blue 

 above with chestnut under parts, save the lower breast, 

 which is white. The female is duller than her hand- 

 some spouse, her wings and tail flashing blue, while her 

 head and back are grayish. 



It is not alone the plumage of these birds that makes 

 them beloved, but rather is it the gentle dark eye that 

 looks into yours with such confidence, and the modest 

 ways — which we humans might well imitate — that makes 

 us love the Bluebirds. 



The eastern Bluebird is found casually west to the 

 Rocky Mountains in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado; 

 wintering most commonly south of the Ohio Valley and 

 the middle States. 



Wilson says: "Though generally accounted a bird of 

 passage, yet so early as the middle of February, if the 

 weather be open, he usually makes his appearance about 

 his old haunts, the bam, orchard, and fence posts. 

 Storms and deep snows sometimes succeeding, he disap- 

 pears for a time, but about the middle of March is again 

 seen, accompanied by his mate, visiting the box in the 

 garden, or the hole in the old apple tree, the cradle of 

 some generations of his ancestors." 



Of late years many of these friendly birds have been 

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