Birds of Pennsylvania. 227 



under tail coverts white. Male in fall and winter : blvie duller, feathers of the head 

 neck and back edged with rusty ; white on abdomen more extended ; the reddish 

 brown or chestnut on the throat and breast is darker. Adult female, upper parts 

 dull grayish blue, brightest on rump, tail and wings; lower parts similar to male 

 but much duller. 



iTafi.— Eastern United States to the eastern base of the Rocky mountains, north 

 to Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia, south, in winter, from the Middle States to 

 the Gulf States and Cuba. Bermudas, resident. 



This common and well known species is found in Pennsylvania 

 during all months of the year, but in the height of the winter season 

 they are much more plentiful m the southern counties than elsewhere 

 in this region. In summer Bluebirds are abundant and generally dis- 

 tributed throughout the State. These birds, when not engaged in 

 building, are usually seen in flocks of from ten to twenty each, some- 

 times, however, particularly in the fall, they collect together in large 

 numbers as will be seen from the following extract taken from one 

 of my note books : '' October 23, '84, Girard Manor, Schuylkill county, 

 Pa. Bluebirds very abundant ; a flock of about two hundred have 

 every day for the past two weeks been observed distributed over the 

 field surrounding the residence of my friend and host M. M. MacMil- 

 lan, Esq., busily engaged in feeding or dressing their plumage while 

 they perch on the leafless branches of the numerous young trees 

 scattered along the fences. When feeding the birds confine their 

 operations to the ground and feed chiefly on grasshoppers, which are 

 abundant. The fields about here appear to be favorite feeding resorts, 

 as they come in large numbers in the morning, and remain, if not 

 driven away, for about two hours. They also come in the afternoon, 

 but not in such large numbers." The Bluebird builds a scanty and 

 loosely constructed nest of dried grasses, feathers or other soft mate- 

 rials in holes of trees or stumps, in bird-boxes, or in hollows of posts 

 and fence rails. The eggs, usually four or five in number, are light 

 blue and unspotted. They measure about .81 long by .62 wide. The 

 eggs of this bird sometimes though very rarely are white. Two broods 

 are raised in a season. When insect-life can be found these birds 

 prefer it to any other diet, but in the winter season when such food is 

 not easily obtained they feed on various small fruits and berries. 



