ZOOLOGY. 
173 
descending. It is commonly heard in the tops of the trees, and in summer only in the densest 
of forests. In winter they associate with the robins, and feed much on the ground, sometimes 
coming around houses in cold weather. — C. 
Obtained at Port Townsend, Puget Sound, and at Bellingham bay. Common at Astoria, 
0. T. Does not seem to extend very far inland, as it was not seen by me at Port Steilacoom. 
In winter it is a shy bird, not generally becoming noticeable in the open districts until after a 
fall of snow, when many individuals may be seen along the sand beaches near saltwater. They 
are at such times tame and abundant, at least sufficiently so for any ordinary shot to obtain a 
dozen specimens in a forenoon. I suppose that they are driven out of the woods, during the 
heavy snows, by hunger. It may then frequently be found in company with the common robin, 
with which it has many similar habits. It was during the continuance of a rather heavy fall 
of snow that I obtained the three specimens preserved. In my note book I find the following- 
remark: "At this time of the year it is a very silent bird, quite tame, allowing near approach; 
flying up when the intruder comes too near, but alighting on the ground again at a short distance 
in front. It appears to be fond of flying by short stages in a desultory manner, sometimes 
alighting on the ground ; at others on fences, bushes, or trees. The settlers here (at Port 
Townsend) call them spotted, painted, and golden robins." The most conspicuous mark on 
the bird which strikes the eye at first is the black crescent on the fore part of the breast. — S. 
Sub-Family SAXICOLINAE.— R o c k Thrushes. 
SIALIA MEXICANA, Swain son. 
Western Blue Bird. 
Sialia mezicana, Sw. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 202. — Baikd, Gen. Kep. Birds, p. 223 
Sialia occidentalis, Townsend, Jour. Ac Nat. Sc. VII, ii, 1837, 188. — Is. Narrative, 1839, 343. — A;id. Synopsis, 
1839. ~Ib. Birds America, II, 1841, 176; pi. 135.— Nuttall, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 513.— 
Newberry, Zool. Cal. & Or. Koute, 80 ; Kep. P. R. E., VI, iv, 1857. 
Sylvia occidentalis, Audubon, Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 41 ; pi. 393. 
Sialia caeriileo-coUis, Vigors, Zool. Beechey's Voyage, 1839, 18 ; pi. iii. 
Sp. Ch. — Bill slender ; head and neck all round, and upper parts generally, bright azure blue. Interscapular regions, sides, 
and fore part of the breast, and sides of the belly, dark reddish brown. Rest of under parts (with tail coverts) pale bluish, 
tinged with gray about the anal region. Female duller above ; the back brownish ; the blue of the throat replaced by ashy 
brown, with a shade of blue. Length, 6.50 to 7 inches; extent, 12^ to 13 ; wing, 4.25 ; tail, 2.90. Iris, brown; bill and 
feet, black. 
Ilab. — Pacific coast. North America, and along valley of Gila to upper Rio Grande and south. 
The western blue-bird, though very similar to the common eastern species, has not that 
familiar confidence which makes the latter such a favorite. It seems to prefer the knot holes 
of the oaks to any box or similar shelter provided for it, but may, Avhen trees are scarcer, 
become more dependent on man. It also differs in its song, which is not so loud as SAveet, and 
is curiously performed to sound as if two birds were singing at once and in different keys. Its 
call note is also shorter than that of the eastern bird. 
Most of this species probably remain during the winter in the Territory, as I have seen them 
in December and early in March. They then associate in flocks, which frequent roadsides and 
fences, feeding on insects or berries. They have the same mode of hovering over a field, to 
watch for grasshoppers, &c., that we see in the eastern species. — C. 
This bird is exceedingly common in Oregon and Washington Territory. At Fort Steilacoom 
