68 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



and monotonous song than tliat of tlie common Bluebird, and that it has the 

 same \varLling tone and manner. He afterwards observed the same species 

 in the winter, at Fort Vancouver, associating with the Western Bluebird. 



Dr. Woodhouse found the Arctic Bluebird quite common in the vicinity 

 of Santa Fe, in New Mexico, where they breed about the houses in boxes put 

 up for them by the inhabitants for the purpose. 



Mr. Townsend found this species in the vicinity of the Platte Kiver, near 

 the Black Hills, and also on the banks of the Columbia. They confined 

 themselves to the fences in the neighborhood of settlements, occasionally 

 lighting upon the ground and scratching for minute insects. He describes 

 their song as a delightful warble. Its notes resemble those of the common 

 Bluebird, but are so different as to be easily recognized ; they are equally 

 sweet and clear, but have much less power. 



Neither Dr. Ganibel nor Dr. Heermann found this species in California 

 excepting during the winter, and were of the opinion that none remain there 

 to breed. 



Dr. Kennerly observed them at different points among the Eocky Moun- 

 tains, where they frequented the vicinity of his camp early in the morning, 

 at some times in pairs and at others in flocks of four or five. 



Mr. J. K. Lord states that he found this Bluebird very abundant between 

 the Cascades and the Kocky Mountains, where they arrive in June and leave 

 in September. After nesting they assembled in large flocks, and fed on the 

 open plains. 



The eggs are of a very light blue, paler than those of the other species. 

 They measure .89 of an inch in length by .66 in breadth. 



Mr. Eidgway states that he found the Eocky Mountain Bluebird nesting 

 in Virginia City in June. Its nests were built about the old buildings, 

 and occasionally in the unused excavations about the mines. At Austin he 

 also found it common in July, in similar localities. On the East Humboldt 

 Mountains it was very numerous, especially on the more elevated portions, 

 where it nested among the rocks and, though more rarely, in the deserted 

 excavations of woodpeckers in the stunted pinon and cedar trees. He 

 describes it as generally very shy and difficult to obtain, seldom permitting 

 a very near approach. In its habits it is much less arboreal than either S. 

 mexicana or >S'. dalis, always preferring the open mountain portions in the 

 higher ranges of the Great Basin. 



In regard to its notes Mr. Eidgway says : " The common note of this 

 species would, from its character, be at once recognized as that of a Blue- 

 bird. Its autumnal note, however, lacks entirely the peculiar plaintiveness 

 so characteristic of that of our Eastern species, and is much more feeble, 

 consisting of a simple weak chirp. Like the S. mexica7ia, the S. arctica 

 was also never heard to give utterance to anything resembling the lovely 

 spring warbling of the >S'. sialis.'" 



