26o THE MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. 



scapulars mouse-gray tinged with greenish-ljlue ; outer edge of hrst primary antl 

 outer \ve1j of outermost rectrix, basally, white; a whitish orbital ring; underparts 

 tinged with pale brownish gray fading to white posteriorly. Yonny birds some- 

 what resemble the adult female but are even duller ; the blue of rump and u]iper 

 tail-coverts is replaced by ashy gray ; the back is streaked with white ; the throat 

 and jugulum are pale gray indistinctly streaked with whitish; chest, sides and 

 flanks broadly streaked with drab, each feather having a white center. Length 

 7.00 (177.8) or over; wing 4.60 (117); tail 2.83 (72); 1)111 .53 (13.4); tarsus 

 .89 (22.G). 



Recognition Marks. — Sparrow size ; azure blue coloration of male and 

 bluish-gray and azure of female unmistakable. 



Nesting. — Nest: much as in preceding species. Eggs: usually 5, unif<irm 

 pale blue sometimes very light bluish white, rarel)' pure white. Av. size, .80 x .60 

 (20.3 X 15.2). Season: May, June; two broods. 



General Range. — Mountain districts of western North America north to the 

 Mackenzie and Yukon Territory, breeding eastward to the Black Hills and 

 western Texas, westward to the Cascade-Sierras, southward to the higher ranges 

 of Arizona, New Mexico and Chihuahua, in winter irregularly eastward upon the 

 Great plains and southward to southern California, Lower California, etc. 



Range in Washington. — Summer resident in the Cascade Mountains chiefly 

 on the eastern slopes (but west to Mt. Rainier) ; common during migrations and 

 irregularly resident in summer upon lower levels east of the Cascades (Wallula, 

 May 15, 1907, breeding). 



Migrations. — Spring: Chelan, Feb. 24, 1896: Conconnully, March 15, 1896; 

 Ahtanum, March 13, 1900. 



Authorities. — Sialia arctica Brewster, B. N. O. C. VII. Oct. 1882, p. 227. 

 T. L'. D'. D-'. Ss«. J. 



Specimens. — P'. Prov. C. 



A BIT of hea\-en's blue incarnate ! We shall not stop to chide this e.x- 

 qnisite creatin^e that he does not sing. Why should he? It is enough to 

 inspire song. 



The sky has not fallen this beautiful morn. 

 But here is its messenger come to adorn 

 For a moment our wa\si(le, and bring to our sight 

 In s\-mboI of azure, a \'ision of right. 



So hopeful, confiding, thou brave mountaineer, 

 Thou bringest to April a mighty good cheer. 

 Chill winter is vanquished, his rig(^rs forgot. 

 The Lord is on earth, — what else, matters not. 



The Mountain Bluebird is of regular occurrence but of \'ery irregular 

 distribution in eastern Washington, and is scarcely known west of the Cas- 

 cades. John Fannin found it in British Columbia "west occasionally, to 

 Chilliwack, and other points on the lower Fraser ; also A^ancouver Island," but 



