EASTERN PAINTED BUNTING 147 



lacking in character and which is invariably compared unfavorably 

 to that of the indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea). Nuttall (1832), 

 for instance, says that "Their song much resembles that of the Indigo 

 Bird, but their voice is more feeble and concise." 



Alexander Wilson's (1832) terminology is practically identical 

 with Nuttall's: "Their notes very much resemble those of the Indigo 

 Bird but want the strength and energy of the latter, being more 

 feeble and more concise." Later on, in his account of the species, 

 he speaks of captive specimens singing with "great sprightliness." 



Audubon (1841) is somewhat more generous in his appraisal; 

 he too calls it "sprightly," but adds that "although not so sonorous 

 as that of the Canary, or of its nearer relative, the indigo bunting, 

 is not far from equalling either." Later and contemporary writers 

 also compare it with P. cyanea consistently. 



William Brewster (1882b) writes: "The song is a low, pleasing 

 warble very un-Finch-like in character. I should compare it to that 

 of the Canadian Flycatcher [Canada warbler, Wilsonia canadensis], 

 but the notes are less emphatic, though equally disconnected." 

 I agree that it is a "pleasing warble," but have never thought it 

 "low." Compared to most small passerine birds, the song of the 

 nonpareil does not lose volume. It can be easily heard from a distance 

 of 100 yards, and it is, at any rate, an indefatigable performance, 

 heard from morning till night. Two or three pairs nest close to my 

 home annually, and seldom do many minutes pass without the song 

 resounding clearlj^ and cheerfully. 



Mrs. T. E. Winford describes the call note as '^pik-pik-pik." 



Aretas A. Saunders Avrote Mr. Bent that "the song of the painted 

 bunting is sweet and musical, high-pitched, but rather weak. It is 

 much more musical in quality than that of the Indigo Bunting. It is 

 made up of single-notes, two or three-note phrases, and occasional 

 trills, usually ^vith abrupt changes in pitch, and it is uncommon to 

 have two or three consecutive notes on the same pitch. Phonetic 

 examples are : tida dayda tida day teetayta tita; witee wi witee wi witato; 

 and to taytletay weeto weeto taytletay wee. 



"In 17 records obtained in Oklahoma in 1950, the number of notes 

 per song varied from 7 to 13, averaging a little more than 10. The 

 length of songs varied from 1 to 4 seconds, and averaged about 2. 

 There was a pause, however, in the 4-second song, so that by leaving 

 it out, the average would be about 1.85. The pitch varied from D# to 

 D'. In different songs, the pitch varied from 2 to 4^ tones, averaging 

 about 3. 



"Each bird sings a number of different songs. I recorded four 

 different songs from one bird. They prefer a conspicuous although 



G46-737— 68— pt. 1 12 



