442 NESTS AND EGGS OP NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



common in the Rocky Mountain region and is also abundant as far 

 west as the mountain ranges along the Pacific. Breeds in deserted 

 Woodpecker holes, natural cavities of trees, etc. In settled portions 

 of the West it nests in the cornice of buildings, under the eaves of 

 porches, in the nooks and corners of barns and out-houses^ and in 

 boxes provided for its accommodation. Mr. Walter E. Bryant says 

 that three incubated eggs of this species were taken from the nest of 

 a Barn Swallow, at Lake Tahoe, California, by Mr. Walter Bliss, 

 Prof. Ridgway found the Rocky Mountain Bluebird breeding in Vir- 

 ginia City, Nevada, in June. Its nests were built about old buildings 

 and occasionally in the unused excava|;ions abqut mines Mr. Wilbur 

 F. Lamb informs me that in Summit county, Colorado, he found this 

 species nesting generally in old Woodpeckers' excavations. One nest 

 was found placed under the projecting roof-pales of a miner's cabin. 

 The nests were composed almost entirely of dry grass. In some sec- 

 tions, however, the inner bark of the cedar enters largely into their 

 composition. 



In most cases Mr. Lamb found the nests to contain five eggs, 

 though seven perfectly fresh eggs were taken from one nest, while 

 another contained only three in an advanced stage of incubation. So 

 that taking the reports of other collectors into consideration with Mr. 

 Lamb's experience, the bird lays from three to seven eggs, rarely the 

 latter number, and more commonly five. They are pale, plain green- 

 ish-blue and average .85 x .63. 



