Indigo BunUng SONG-BIRDS. 



seeds, the buds of hickory, beech, and birch, and fruit 

 blossoms. 



The distribution of the Grosbeak is somewhat irregular ; 

 it will be common on one side of a river and rare on the 

 other, or plentiful on both sides of a range of hills and un- 

 known among the hills themselves. The song is continued 

 well into August, but the bird is quite silent before leaving 

 in September. Two or three years are required to bring the 

 rose-coloured markings to perfection ; but Mr. Bicknell once 

 shot a young male on the 23, of September, whose breast 

 was crimsoning, and who was in full song. This last fact 

 adds proof to a pet theory of my own, that the best autumn 

 music is made by the birds of the season. 



Indigo Bunting: JPasserina cyanea, 



Plate 34. 



Length: 5.50 inches. 



Male : Deep blue (in some lights, having a greenish cast) , deepest on 



head; rump, wmgs, and tail washed thinly with brownish. 



Bill dark above, lighter below. 

 Female : Above, warm brown, whitening on breast. 

 Song : Sweet but weak, — " Tshe — tshe — tshe — tshay ! " 

 Season : Middle of May to third week in September. 

 Breeds : Through its United States range. 

 Nest : In bushes, bulky and rude, of leaves and grass. 

 Eggs : Bluish or pure white, with brown spots, 

 Bange : Eastern United States, south, in winter, to Veragua. 



Beautiful plumage and a very small voice is the sum of 

 the Indigo Bunting's attractions. It comes about the middle 

 of May with the Scarlet Tanager, and if you should chance 

 to find these birds in company, as sometimes happens, rest- 

 ing on the same rough fence rail, while a Goldfinch swings 

 near them among the wayside grasses, you will have seen 

 the primary colours as illustrated in bird life. 



When the Bunting feeds upon the ground, as is his usual 

 habit, his food consisting mainly of the seed of small grasses 

 and herbs, his plumage is brought out wonderfully by the 

 play of light upon it, varying from deep blue to a tint of 

 verde antique, unlike the Bluebird's sky colour. 



164 



