260 THE MOU NT AIN BLUEBIRD. 
scapulars mouse-gray tinged with greenish-blue; outer edge of first primary and 
outer web of outermost rectrix, basally, white ; a whitish orbital ring; underparts 
tinged with pale brownish gray fading to white posteriorly. Young birds some- 
what resemble the adult female but are even duller; the blue of rump and upper 
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); bill .53 (13.4); tarsus 
89 (22.6). 
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, uniform 
pale blue sometimes very light bluish white, rarely pure white. Av. size, .80 x .60 
(20.3x 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.—S pring: 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. 
i 1 IDE, IDES SS IIe 
Specimens.—P". Proy. C. 
A BIT of heaven’s blue incarnate! We shall not stop to chide this ex- 
quisite creature 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 wayside, and bring to our sight 
In symbol of azure, a vision of right. 
So hopeful, confiding, thou brave mountaineer, 
Thou bringest to April a mighty good cheer. 
Chill winter is vanquished, his rigors forgot, 
The Lord is on earth,—what else, matters not. 
The Mountain Bluebird is of regular occurrence but of very 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 Vancouver Island,” but 
