106 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 23 7 parti 



and a few continue through the isthmus to Darien and northwestern 

 Colombia. As they seek the same type of cover in dense growths of 

 weeds and grass in old fields and marshy spots that they frequent in 

 late summer and early fall in the north, they are seen infrequently and 

 remain little known. Males molt into the bright color of the breeding 

 season in February and early March, and then change completely. 

 Toward the end of March and in early April they appear in the open 

 at the borders of thickets, and in cultivated areas in the fruit trees and 

 shrubbery near houses. Here they often remain in the open, rather 

 than fly to cover when startled. It is at this season that most of the 

 rather few records of occiu^rence are made. Females, however, con- 

 tinue their skulking habits until they leave for the north." 



From Montego Bay, Jamaica, Mrs. Audrey Downer writes John- 

 ston: "Indigo Buntings wintering in Jamaica start arriving early in 

 November. They are usually males in various stages of the blue 

 plumage. In January the females and juvenals begin to arrive, and 

 soon after this singing begins. Indigo Buntings have been seen in 

 widely scattered areas throughout Jamaica, but are only known to 

 congregate in flocks of from 50 to several hundred in two locations in 

 the Montego Bay area at the western end of the island. The flocks 

 build up gradually during the first three months of the year, reaching 

 their peak from mid-March to mid- April, when the whole area pulsates 

 with their song throughout the day. They then depart for their 

 northern breeding grounds, and are all gone by the first week in May. 

 During their stay in their winter quarters some birds complete their 

 molt, while others imdergo only a partial molt. The males out- 

 number the females four to one. 



"The habitat favoured is a wooded area with low scrub ground 

 cover. When frightened they dive for these low bushes. After a few 

 minutes they emerge and fly into the trees to survey the situation 

 before resuming feeding. They come readily to bird feeders baited 

 with 'Budgerigar seed,' crushed corn, etc. They eat only the kernel, 

 discarding the husk. They have also been observed feeding on dried 

 logwood seeds, various weed seeds, and an occasional flying insect. 

 Although they roost in naseberry, tamarind, and citrus trees, they do 

 not appear to eat the fruit. 



"In 1964 a banding program was started and 177 Indigo Buntings 

 were banded in Jamaica. No recoveries have so far been reported." 



Hybrids. — In the western part of its range the indigo bunting may 

 hybridize with the lazuli bunting {Passerina amoena). Sibley and 

 Short (1959) summarize their investigations by stating: "The Indigo 

 Bunting {Passerina cyanea) and Lazuli Bunting (P. amoena) have 

 formed a secondary contact in the plains as a result of climatic changes 

 and men's activities, which have provided suitable habitat in a for- 



