Bunting WESTERN BIRDS 



in Florida that they are shy and retiring, seldom appear- 

 ing in the open, but remaining in the dense, thorny under- 

 growth which covers all waste places in Florida, espe- 

 cially if the soil has been cultivated. Mrs. Bailey re- 

 ports the Nonpareils as abundant on the mesquite 

 prairies of southern Texas. She also reports these birds 

 along the Pecos River in southern New Mexico, where 

 all day long their loud bright songs were heard, even on 

 the hottest days. 



In the west we have also the Varied Bunting (P. v. 

 versicolor) which is found in the valley of the Lower 

 Rio Grande in Texas. The male has the forehead and 

 rump a bright purplish-blue; back of neck is a bright 

 red which becomes a purplish red on the back. The 

 under parts are a plum red which become a plum purple 

 on the belly. The female is a dull bird in browns, olive, 

 with edgings of blue on wings and tail, and with whitish 

 under parts. 



In southern Arizona, and northwestern Mexico, a 

 similar bird is known as the Beautiful Bunting (P. v. 

 pulchra). 



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