LIST AND DESCRIPTION 137 



768. Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides.) 



This exquisite bird, sometimes called Arctic or Rocky- 

 Mountain Bluebird, belongs to the mountains and the intermoun- 

 tain plateaus. It is found within the State, therefore, only in 

 the Black Hills and in the badland areas. It lacks the chestnut 

 breast of its eastern cousin and is of a lighter blue. On seeing 

 this bird for the first time one goes into transports of delight. 

 It is like a winged bit of sky from the snow crowned peaks 

 where the sky is purest. And, as though to accentuate its beauty, 

 it has a delightful habit of poising like a Hummingbird on 

 wing while watching for insects in the grass. 



