254 THE WESTERN BLLElilKb. 



A iiii'if typical nest, frcslily cxamiiii-d, is placed at a liciglit of six feel in 

 tlie tuj) of a tiny lir sapling, wiiicli rc(|uired the supjnjrt of a chance armful of 

 leaning vine-niajjle poles. The nest jiroper is an iniinense affair, eight and a 

 half inches deep and twelve inches hy eight in diameter outside, anil two and 

 a half in depth and four in wiilth inside. It would weigh alxjut three |K)unds, 

 and is, therefore, quite compact, altho the moss, which is the largest element 

 in its com|)osition, holds a large quantity of moisture. Twigs from six inches 

 to a foot in length enter into the exterior construction, and these are them- 

 selves moss-bearing. Stripping off the outer moss-coat, one c(jmes to the 

 matrix or crucible-shaped vessel of rotten wood, an inch or more in thickness 

 thruout, and sodden with moisture. Within this receptacle, in turn, appears 

 another cup with walls three-f|uarters of an inch in thickness, and comixjsed 

 s<)lely of drietl grasses and moss, neatly woven and turned. The innermost 

 lining comprises the same materials, not very carefully smoothed, but amaz- 

 ingly dry, considering the character of their surroundings. The brim of the 

 nest is strengthened by bark-strips, the inner fiber of cedar bark being ex- 

 clusively employed for this purpo.se : while the finishing coat consists of moss, 

 compacted and llawless. There are, in fact, few nests to com])are with that 

 of tilt' \aried Thrush in strength, elaliorateness, and elegance. 



No. loi. 

 WESTKRN HLl EHIRD. 



.\. ( ). r. \o. 767. Sialia mexicana occidentalis (Towns.). 



Synonyms. — C.m.ii'orma I!i.ri:niKi). .Mi:xic.\.v I'.LiKniK!). Townsk.nds 

 I'mkhikd. 



Description. — .Idiilt molt': Head and neck all around and uppcrparts rich 

 smalt blue, brighter on hindneck. rump and wings, paler on si<lcs of neck and on 

 throat; the shafts of wiiig-t|uills and tail-feathers and the exposed tips of the 

 former black : more or less chestnut on scapulars usually irregularly continuous 

 across back; sides of breast an<l sides, coiUiinious across breast, chestnut; belly, 

 flanks, crissuni and under tail-coverts dull grayish blue (cani|)anula blue to pearl 

 blue). I'ill black; feet blackish; iris dark brown, hi whitrr touches of chestnut 

 appear on crown, hindneck anrl sides of head and neck, and the blue of throat is 

 slightly veiled by grayish brown skirting. Adult frnialc: Somewhat like male 

 but everywhere ])aler and duller; blue of upperparts clear only on rump. tail, 

 lesser and middle wing-covcrts and outer edges of primaries, there lighter than in 

 male (cani])anula bhie to flax-flower bine 1 ; first primary and outerninst rectriccs 

 edged with white; chestiuit of scajiulars obsolete, merged with dingy niottleil 

 bluish or brownish-gray of remaining upperparts; exposed ti])s of remiges dusky; 

 outer web of first primary whitish; blue of imderiiarts replaced by sordid bluish 

 gray, and chestnut of suixlued tone (pale ciiuianion-rufous) veiled by grayish- 

 brown tips of feathers. )'t>iiii(i hirds somewhat resemble the adult female but the 



