THE MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. 259 



fast to the apple-trees or lodged at considerable intervals along the intersecting 

 fences. The experimenter finds that more than half of the boxes are occupied 

 each season, and he counts the birds of inestimable value in helping to save the 

 gra]3es and apples from the ravages of worms. 



In providing for Bluebird's comfort, care must be taken to expel cats 

 from the premises ; or at least to place the box in an inaccessible position. 

 English Sparrows, also, must be shot at sight, for the Bluebird, however 

 valorous, is no match for a mob. Tree Swallows or A'iolet-greens may covet 

 the nesting-box — your affections are sure to be divided when these last appear 

 upon the scene — but the Bluebirds can take care of themseh'es here. For the 

 rest, do not make the box too nice ; and above all, do not make it of new lum- 

 ber. Nesting birds do not care to be the observed of all observers, and the 

 more natural their surroundings, the more at ease your tenants will be. An 

 occasional inspection will not be resented, if the Bluebirds know their landlord 

 well. There may be some untoward condition to correct, — an overcrowded 

 nestling, m- the like. At the end df the season the Ijox should lie emptied, 

 cleaned, and if possible sterilized. 



Two broods are raised in a season, and the species appears to be on the 

 increase in tlie more thicklv settled portion of the State. Occiileiifalis a\oids 

 the drv sections, and is nowhere common on the east sicle of the mountains, 

 save during migrations. It is. luiwever. regularly found on the timbered 

 slopes of the Cascades, the Kalispel! Range, and the Blue Mountains, where its 

 range inosculates with that of the ^Mountain Bluebird. There is reason to sup- 

 pose that its range will extend with the increase of irrigated territory. West of 

 the mountains, per contra, the Blueliinl affects the more ojien countr}-, and es- 

 pecialh' that which lias been preiiared b\- fire and the doulile-bitted axe. 



No. 102. 



MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. 



.A. O. U. No. 768. Sialia ciirrucoides (Bechstcin). 



Synonym. — Arctic Bh i:niRn. 



Description. — Adult male in suiiniicr: .\bove rich cerulean blue. ]ialest 

 (turquoise blue) on forehead, brightest 011 upper tail-coverts, darkest (sevres 

 blue) on lesser wing-coverts ; below pale blue (deepest turquoise) on chest, shading 

 on sides of head and neck to color of back, paling on lower belly, crissum and 

 under tail-coverts to whitish ; exposed tips of flight feathers dusky. Bill and feet 

 black; iris dark brown. Adult male in leiutcr: Blue somewhat duller and feather? 

 skirted more or less with brownish above and below, notably on hind-neck, upper 

 back, breast and sides. Adult female: Like male but paler blue, clear on rump, 

 tail and wings onlv, elsewhere quenched in gray: pileum, hindneck, back and 



