4 
The Bluebird 
paler. Nestling. — Wing^s and tail essentially like those of adult, upper parts dark sooty 
brown, the back spotted with whitish; below, whitish, but the feathers of the breast and 
sides widely margined with brown, producing a spotted appearance. This plumage is soon 
followed by the fall or winter plumage, in which the blue feathers of the back are fringed 
with rusty, and young and old birds are then alike in color. 
Range. — Eastern United States west to the Rocky Mountains; nests from the Gulf 
States to Manitoba and Nova Scotia; winters from southern New England southward. 
la. Azure Bluebird {Sialia sialis azurea) 
Similar to the Eastern Bluebird, but breast paler, upper parts lighter, more cerulean 
blue. 
Range. — Mountains of eastern Mexico north to southern Arizona. 
2. Western Bluebird {Sialia mexicana occidentalis) 
Adult male. — Above deep blue, the foreback in part chestnut; throat blue, breast and 
sides chestnut, the belly bluish grayish. Adult female. — Above grayish blue, chestnut of 
back faintly indicated, throat grayish blue, breast rusty, paler than in male, belly grayish. 
Range. — Pacific coast region from northern Lower California north to British Columbia, 
east to Nevada, 
za. Chestnut-backed Bluebird {Salia mexicana hairdi) 
Similar to the Western Bluebird, but foreback wholly chestnut. (See plate.) 
Range. — Rocky Mountain region from Mexico north to Wyoming. 
zb. San Pedro Bluebird {Sialia mexicana anabelce) 
Similar to the Western Bluebird, but back with less chestnut. 
Range. — San Pedro Martir mountains. Lower California. 
3. Mountain Bluebird {Sialia arctica) 
Adult male. — Almost wholly blue, above beautiful cerulean, below paler, belly whit- 
ish. Adult female. — Above brownish gray, upper tail coverts, wings and tail bluish, 
below pale fawn, belly whitish. 
Range. — Western United States from Rocky Mountains to Sierras, and from New 
Mexico north to the Great Slave Lake region. 
Questions for Teachers and Students 
How many kinds of Bluebirds are there? Trace their distribution on the map. How 
do they differ from one another? How far north does the Eastern Bluebird remain in 
winter? Are the Bluebirds we see in winter the same individuals that spend the summer 
with us? When do the Bluebirds begin to migrate northward? Do they travel singly or 
in flocks? Which sex comes first? When do the Bluebirds begin to nest? Where do they 
place their nests? Of what is the nest composed ? Do both male and female build ? How 
many eggs are laid? What color are they? Do Bluebirds raise more than one family fn a 
season? What does the Bluebird look like when he leaves the nest? What do Bluebirds 
eat? 
Reprinted from Bird-Loke, February, 1907. Teachers. Students and other persons may obtain additional copies 
of this and the other Educational Leaflets. %vith illustrations and outlines, issued by the National Association of 
Audubon Societies, by applying to the Office, No. 14.1 Broadway, New York City. 
