THE



Avicultural Magazine


THE JOURNAL OF THE

AVICULTURAL SOCIETY



Fifth Series .—-VoL III.—No. 2 .—All rights reserved. FEBRUARY, 1938.



THE ARCTIC OR MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD


(Sialia corrucoides)


It is many years since Bluebirds were freely imported into Europe

and it is only owing to bis world-wide reputation as an exceptionally

distinguished ornithologist and keeper of rare birds that Monsieur

Delacour was allowed to bring two pairs of the Mountain Bluebird to

Europe. It is acknowledged to be the most beautiful member of its

exquisite family and is as familiar and charming in its own country

as our Redbreast is here. It lives almost entirely on insects, and takes

very little fruit and that mostly wild, so is entirely beneficial and

deservedly protected.


It is found in Western North America, and in Canada from the

west coast east to Manitoba, north to the Yukon and Mackenzie

Valley.


Its juvenile plumage resembles that of the other two species,

brownish-blue back flecked with white spots, throat spotted with

deep brown and white. Only the wings and tail show definite blue,

and this is much fighter than in the young of either the Eastern or

the Western species.


E. F. C.



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