FAMILY TURDIDM: THRUSHES, 

 BLUEBIRDS 



Western blue bird, Sialia mexicana 

 ^ occidcntalis. 6.75 



Distribution: Pacific Coast district from 

 Britisli Columbia to southern California, and 

 east to western Idaho and Nevada. South- 

 ward in winter to northern Mexico. 



The western bluebird is a dark purplish 

 blue instead of the bright blue of the eastern 

 variety. It has a rufous patch on the upper 

 back and the breast is rufous, the underparts 

 washed with brownish. It is in every respect 

 a darker and browner bird than the eastern 

 bluebird. 



The western bluebird is common through- 

 out its range in the open country, about 

 clearings, farms, orchards and along country 

 roads where it may be seen perched on tele- 

 phone poles and wires watching for the pass- 

 ing insects which it pursues in true flycatcher 

 fashion. At other times it is often found in 

 small flocks sitting on fence posts, from which 

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