SAXICOLID^ — THE SAXICOLAS. 



63 



Nat. Bermuda, 1859, 28, 66 (resident in Bermuda). Sylvia sialis, Lath. ; Ampelis 

 sialis, NuTT. ; Erijthraca ivilsoni, Sw. 

 Figures: Vieillot, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pi. ci, cii, ciii. — Wils. I, pi. iii. — AuD. Orn. 

 Biog. II, pi. cxiii. — Ib. B. A. II, pi. cxxxiv. — Doughty, Cab. I, pi. xii. 



Sp. Char. Entire upper parts, including wings and tail, continuous and uniform azure- 

 blue; the cheeks of a duller tint of the same. Beneath reddish- brown; the abdomen, anal 

 region, and under tail-coverts white. Bill and feet black. Shafts of the quills and tail- 

 feathers black. Female with the blue lighter, and tinged with brown on the head and 

 back. Length, 6.75 ; wing, 4.00 ; tail, 2.90. 



Young. Males of the year dull brown on head and back ; and lesser coverts streaked, 

 except on head, with white. Throat and fore part of breast streaked with white. Tertials 

 edged with brown. Rest of coloration somewhat like adult. 



Hab. Eastern United States ; west to Fort Laramie, Milk River ; north to Lake Win- 

 nipeg ; resident in Bermuda ; Cuba (rare), G-undlach. 



A specimen from Guatemala (50,411 (?, Van Patten) referable to the 

 var. azurea is undistingiiishable in color from North American examples ; 

 the winys and tail are longer, however, measuring respectively 4.20 and 

 3.00. 



Habits. The Bluebird is abundant throughout the eastern portion of 

 North America, breeding in nearly 

 every part, from Georgia and Louisi- 

 ana to the Arctic regions, with only 

 this exception, that near the sea- 

 board its migrations do not extend 

 so far to the north as in the interior. 

 It is very rarely to be met with be- 

 yond the Penobscot, although Pro- 

 fessor Verrill mentions it as very 

 common in the western part of IMaine. 

 It is Ibund throughout the year in the 

 Bermudas, and occasionally in Cuba. 



The Selkirk Settlement is the most northern locality to which it has been 

 traced. It is not known to occur farther west than the highlands west of 

 the Mississippi. 



Tlirough all the Eastern States the Bluebird is one of the most familiar 

 and welcome of the earliest visitors of spring, usually making its appear- 

 ance as early as the first of March. In mild seasons they come in the latter 

 part of February, long before tliere is any apparent relaxation of the severity 

 of winter. In 1857, in consequence of the unusual mildness of the season, 

 Bluebirds appeared in large numbers as early as the 15th of February, 

 and remained api)arently without suffering any inconvenience, although the 

 weather subsequently became quite severe. In 1869 their first appearance 

 was observed as early as the 28th of January, the earliest period of which 

 I can find any record. 



In the Middle States, with every mild winter's day, the Bluebirds come 



Sialia sialis. 



