r 



BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 449 



them by special provisions for their nesting in boxes, as is 

 done so much for the eastern bird. Several instances occurred 

 where notwithstanding its neglect it placed its nest as near to 

 dwellings as does the other. Those found in this State were 

 near the southwestern and western borders, and remote from 

 improvments. Like its double cousin it clings to wooded 

 sections. Dr. Cooper says in his Land Birds of California "at 

 Santa Cruz this bird is even more confiding than the eastern 

 species which rarely frequents such large towns. In the spring 

 from February 20th to April many pairs could be seen daily 

 seeking places for their nest, even in the noisiest streets, 

 inspecting closely every new building that was being erected, 

 as if they supposed it to be for their special benefit. Some 

 few pairs found nesting-places under porches, in knot-holes, 

 etc, though the inhabitants provided them with no special 

 homes." This eminent observer is excellent authority. I 

 think however when he says that our eastern bluebird rarely 

 frequents such large towns as Santa Cruz, his long residence 

 in that sunny land of flowers and birds may have made him 

 forgetful, for so far from this it is very common in towns in 

 Minnesota much larger than the one he mentions. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 



Rich azure-blue including the head and neck all around; a 

 patch of purplish-chestnut on the middle of the back; breast 

 and sides rich chestnut; belly and vent dull- blue or bluish- 

 gray; bill and feet black; measurements same as the eastern 

 species. 



