INDIGO BUNTING. 



598. Passerina cyanea. 5V2 inches. 



Male, indigo blue; female, brownish but usually with 

 a faint indication of blue on the wings or tail. 



A jolly summer songster, dwelling with us from the 

 latter part of May until September. You will meet 

 with these Buntings along roadsides lined with scrubby 

 trees or bushes, or in pastures or along the edges of 

 swamps. The male usually has some favorite perch 

 upon which he spends a large portion of his time sing- 

 ing; it is nearly always the top of a tall bush or tree. 



Song". — A sprightly little warble with many canary- 

 like notes. Call, a sharp chip. 



Nest. — Of grasses at low elevations in shrubs or 

 bushes; eggs four or five in number, very pale bluish 

 white (.75 X .52). 



Range. — U. S. east of the Rockies, and most abun- 

 dant east of the Mississippi; breeds north to Manitoba 

 and New Brunswick; winters in Central America. 



