162 Sketches of Some Common Birds. 



ones, be passes the hour gayly chanting his choicest 

 measures. When the brood has left the nest, and the 

 little ones have been carefully taught the art of bread - 

 winning, the songs become less frequent, and gradually 

 fail; and thenceforth our little friend attracts no attention. 



In the earlier days of the season the indigo birds spend 

 considerable time on the ground, under the weeds and 

 bushes, probably feeding on the weed seeds, and searching 

 for the various forms of insect life on which they chiefly 

 feed. The females frequent the bushes more generally 

 than the males, probably knowing that their less splendid 

 dress will seem poor by contrast. At any rate, they are 

 more retiring than the males, and are rarely seen out in 

 the sunshine with them. The males, however, apj^arently 

 do not think less of the demure little creatures retiring 

 among the weeds and bushes, and they, too, must spend 

 much of their time winning the favor of the little brown 

 beauties in their secluded resorts. 



While I have no authoritative data concerning the sub- 

 ject, I infer that a large share of the insect food of these 

 birds is found on or near the ground, and among the 

 foliage of the weeds and bushes. They are members of 

 the great family of finches, and, true to the habits of the 

 majority of the group, the indigo buntings feed largely on 

 the seeds of the weeds among which they resort. They 

 are probably very beneficial, being free from any impu- 

 tation of harm, and have ever been regarded with favor 

 wherever their showy attire and lively chanting have 

 called attention to their movements. In the later days of 

 the season the males are found among the bushes and 

 weeds, with the females and young of the year, living 

 silent and retired where their food is easily obtained, 

 until the great southward movement of the birds in the , 

 latter half of September sweeps them along from the 

 scenes of their summer joys and sorrows, and they hasten 

 to the lands of ever-verdant foliage. 



