EASTERN PAINTED BUNTING 143 



anteriorly. The orbital ring is lemon-yellow. Individual variation is 

 considerable with some birds more yellow, or more green, and some 

 males showing occasional blue or reddish feathers. 



In the first nuptial plumage, acquired by wear, young males resemble 

 the average adult female. The more worn primary coverts are, how- 

 ever, usually brown, and lack the greenish edgings. Juvenal coverts 

 may be retained. 



The adult winter plumage with its brilliant colors is acquired by a 

 complete postnuptial molt. Probably year-old birds do not acquire 

 remiges and coverts tinged wholly claret as in adults. This would 

 account for the green feathers mixed with the others in many speci- 

 mens in which all the feathers are equally worn. The claret and green- 

 ish remiges and the body plumage are equally fresh in November 

 birds. The claret-tinged tail is first acquired at this molt. 



The adult nuptial plumage is acquired by wear. Birds with stray 

 green remiges are probably birds of the second nuptial stage; those 

 having all the remiges tinged claret are probably of the third nuptial. 

 The primary coverts are usually tinged claret at both stages and un- 

 like the brown ones of the first nuptial period. The full adult dress is 

 certainly assumed at the second postnuptial molt and in some cases, 

 probably at the first. 



Molts and plumages of the female correspond to those of the male. 

 In the Juvenal plumage the wings and tail are duller; in the first winter 

 dress, relative dullness prevails but the sexes scarcely differ, and the 

 first nuptial plumage is assumed by wear. This plumage is character- 

 ized by worn brown primary coverts as in the male. At the first post- 

 nuptial molt females assume bright green-edged remiges, rectrices, 

 and primary coverts and are even greener above and yellower below 

 than males in first winter dress. At the second postnuptial molt or 

 later ones, birds tend toward the plumage of the male, developing blue 

 or dull red feathers where brighter areas occur in the male. 



Many young males cannot be distinguished with certainty from 

 females by plumage alone. The absence of mixed plumages of old 

 and new feathers, as found in Passerina cyanea, belies the occurrence 

 of any semiannual molt as in that species. 



Behavior. — The nonpareil always gives the impression of being 

 sprightly and vivacious. That this is not altogether due to its 

 brilliant plumage is evidenced by the fact that this applies to the 

 female also. It is often a dooryard bird, which adds to its popularity. 

 Abundant as it is, many people living in its range are not acquainted 

 with it, which seems to bear out the belief of some Avriters that the 

 nonpareil is a shy bird. Certainly many say that it is, but the facts 

 do not support it. It is rather retiring in the fall and often hard to 



