ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT. 



Genus SIALIA Swains. 



131 



Blue Bird, natural size. 



;?32-766-(27). Sialia sialis (Lmn.). * Blue Bird. 



Common; throughout the entire state; less common than formerly; driven away by 

 English Sparrows; Feb. or March to Nov.; "one of our earliest birds to arrive in the 

 spring, Grand Rapids Feb. 26, 1891" (E. B. Boies); "Grand Traverse County" (M. L. 

 Leach); "occurs at Mackinac Island" (S.E.White); " Keweenaw Point " (Kneeland); 

 "very common at Iron Mountain" (E. E. Brewster); breeds; "double or triple brooded" 

 (Prof. J. W. Simmons); nests in hollow trees, "either in holes which they excavate in 

 rotten trees, or which other birds have excavated" (J. E. Nichols), in boxes, etc.; eggs 

 four to six, light blue, rarely pure white; a very beautiful and valuable bird. 



