506 



NEST8 AND EOGS OP 



7676. SAN PEDRO BLUEBIRD. Sialia mexieana anabelm Anthony. Geog. 

 Dist. — San Pedro Martir Mountains, Lower California. 



I have no positive information regarding the nidiflcation or habits of this sub- 

 species, but they probably do not differ materially from those of the next species. 



768. MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. Sialia arctica (Swains.) Geog. Dist.— Rocky 

 Mountain region, north to Great Slave Lake, south to Mexico, west to the higher 

 mountain ranges along the Pacific. 



Known as the Rocky Mountain and Arctic Bluebird. It is very 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 pro- 

 vided 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, Cali- 

 fornia, by Walter Bliss. Prof. Ridgway found the Rocky Mountain Bluebird breed- 

 ing in Virginia City, Nevada, in June. Its nests were built about old buildings and 

 occasionally in the unused excavations about 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 sections, 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 col- 

 lectors Into consideration with Mr. Lamb's experience, the bird lays from three to 

 seven eggs, rarely the latter number, and more eommonly five. They are pale, plain 

 greenish-blue and average .85x.63 inches. 



