68 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



Sialia sialis (Linn.) 



BLUEBIRD. 

 Popular synonym.— Eastern Bluebird. 



Molacilla sialis LrNN. S. N. ed. 10, i. 1758, 187; od. 13, 1. 1766, 336. 

 tif/lvia sialis Lath. In4. Orn. ii. 1790, 5±i.— WiLS. Am. Orn. 1. 1803, 5G, pi. 3, as. 3. 

 Ampelis sialis NuTT. Man. i. 1832, 444. 



Sialia sialis Haij)em. Trego's Geog. Penn. 1813, 77.— Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 222; Cat N. 

 Am. B. 1859, No. 158; Review, 18M, C2.— ConE.s, Key, 1872. 70; Chock List, 1873, No. 16; 

 2d ed. 1882. No. 27; B. N. W. 1874, 13; B. Col. Val. 1878, 77.-B. B. & B. Hl-St. N. Am. B. 

 i. 1874, 62, pi. 5, flg. 3.— BiDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 22. 

 Sialia wilsonii SwArNs. Zool. Jour. iii. 1827, 173.— Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. 11. 1831, 210. 



Hab. Eastern North America, west to the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, north 

 to British Provinces. Breeds throughout its normal range, and winters in most portions 

 of the eastern U. S. Resident in Bermuda. 



"Sp. Chab. Entire upper parts, iucluding wings and tail, continuous and uniform 

 azure-blue; the cheeks of a duller tint of the same. Beneath reddish brown; the abdo- 

 men, anal region, and under tail-coverts white. Bill and feet black. Shafts of the quills 

 and tail feathers black. Length. 6.75; wing, 4.00; tail, 2.9n. 



"Yuutig. Males of the year dull brown on head, back, and lesser coverts; streaked, 

 except on head, with white. Throat and tore part of breast streaked with white. Tertlals 

 edged with brown. Best of coloration somewhat like adult." 



So well known are the habits of the common, familiar Bluebird, 

 that little need be said here on the subject. Partially migratory 

 almost everywhere, it may be occasionally seen in winter even in 

 the most northern States, but probably nowhere north of the paral- 

 lel of 40" can it be looked for with any certainty at this season of 

 the year. Few birds in the whole' world possess as many attractive 

 features as the Bluebird. With the confiding familiarity of the 

 European Robin Kedbreast {Eritliacus ruhecula), it is adorned with 

 a plumage of tropical beauty and is endowed with a voice of pecu- 

 liar tenderness. By an English writer residing in Bermuda, he is 



styled "the loveliest of birds with the blue of a 



Bermuda sky upon his back, and on his breast the tint of its rosy 

 dawn." 



"Common summer resident, nesting in boxes put up for their ac- 

 commodation. The English sparrows attack and chase away the 

 Bluebirds, and many that nested in the city have gone into the 

 suburbs and now nest in hollow trees or holes in fence posts. In 

 August they frequent stump fields and cleared woods, in flocks and 

 families. The males sing at this time, but in a weird, far-away 

 tone. Once found a nest buUt between the stalks of a geranium 

 plant in a large flower urn. Arrived March 6, 1879, but in warm 

 seasons are as early as February 20." (H. K. Coalb, MS.) 



