226 THE BLUEBIRD. 



No. 99. 



BLUEBIRD. 



A. O. U. No. 766. Sialia sialis (Linn.). 



Synonyms. EASTERN BLUEBIRD; WILSON'S BLUEBIRD. 



Description. Adult male, in spring : Above rich azure-blue ; below, throat, 

 breast, and sides chestnut. Occasionally the azure area reaches around to include 

 the chin. In autumn the blue of the upper parts is obscured by the reddish-brown 

 edgings of the feathers; the white of the lower parts is more extended and the 

 chestnut paler and more restricted. Adult female : Above, blue mixed and obscured 

 with dull chestnut, except on wings, tail and rump, which are pure; below, paler. 

 Immature : Brownish, with blue gradually increasing ; back marked with whitish 

 shaft lines ; breast and under parts closely dotted with brown and white. Length 

 5.70-7.00 (144.8-177.8); wing 3.75-4-15 (95-3- I0 54) 5 tail, 2.60-3.00 (66. -76. 2.} ; 

 bill .45 (11.4). Female averages smaller than male. 



Recognition Marks. Sparrow size; azure-blue and chestnut coloring. 



Nest, in cavities, artificial or natural, hollow trees, stumps, posts, bird boxes, 

 etc. ; lined with grass and weed-stalks, with occasionally string, feathers, and the 

 like. Eggs, 4-6, uniform pale blue, sometimes very light bluish white, and rarely 

 pure white. Average size, .84 x .63. (21.3 x 16.). 



General Range. 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. Bermuda, resident. 



Range in Ohio. Of universal distribution in the State, but most abundant 

 in northern and central portions. In winter it remains regularly only in the ex- 

 treme south, but stragglers may be found anywhere. 



HOW the waiting country-side thrills with joy when Bluebird brings us 

 the first word of returning spring. The snow may still linger in patches and 

 the hoar-frost be only just making out of sight that rare day when the herald 

 presses northward and scatters the tidings far and wide. Spring is in the air 

 and spring, thenceforth, is in our hearts. The cruel north wind may sweep 

 down again and all the ugly signs of winter return, but Bluebird has kindled in 

 our hearts the fires of an inextinguishable confidence, and we know that the 

 master word of exorcism has been spoken. Surely there is nothing in nature 

 more heartening than the resolute courage and sublime good cheer of this 

 dauntless bird. Reflecting heaven from his back and the ground from his breast, 

 he floats between sky and earth like the winged voice of Hope. Or else, "shift- 

 ing his light load of song from post to post along the cheerless fence," he pours 

 out sincerest gratitude for even the meager goods of life, and counts it joy 

 enough to live. 



Truth to tell, Bluebird does make sad mistakes sometimes. He trusts too 



