gg NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



rump (which is tinged with purplish), are vermiHon-red. Edges of chin, loral region, 

 greater wing-coverts, inner tertiary, and interscapular region, green ; the middle of the 

 latter glossed with yellow. Tail-feathers, lesser wing-coverts, and outer webs of quills, 

 purplish-blue. Length, about 5.50 inches; wing, 2.70. 



Female. Clear dark green above ; yellowish beneath, yo^tn^r, like female. 



Hab. South Atlantic and Grulf States to the Pecos River, Texas ; south into Middle 

 America to Panama; S. Illinois (Ridgway); Honduras (Scl. 1858, 358); Oaxaca (Scl. 

 1859, 379) ; Cordova (Scl. 1856, 304) ; Guatemala (Scl. Ibis, I, 17) ; Honduras (Scl. II, 

 10) ; Cuba (Cab. J. IV, 8) ; Veragua (Salv. 1867, 142) ; Costa Rica (Lawr. IX, 102) ; 

 Vera Cruz, winter (Sum. M. B. S. I, 552) ; Yucatan (Lawr. IX, 200). 



Tail very slightly emarginated and rounded ; second, third, and fourth 

 quills equal ; first rather shorter than the fifth. 



The female is readily distinguishable from that of C. cyanea by the green 

 instead of dull brown of the back, and the yellow of the under parts. 



Specimens of this species from all parts of its range appear to be quite 

 identical. 



Habits. The l^onpareil or Painted Bunting of the Southern and South- 

 eastern States has a somewhat restricted distribution, not being found any 

 farther to the north on the Atlantic Coast than South Carolina and Georgia^ 

 and probably only in the more southern portions of those States. It has- 

 been traced as far to the west as Texas. It was also met with at Monterey, 

 Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch, and in winter by Mr. Boucard, at Plaza Vi- 

 cente, Oaxaca. 



Mr. Dresser found it very common both at Matamoras and at San Anto- 

 nio, breeding in both places. Dr. Coues did not meet with it in Columbia, 

 S. C, and considers it as confined to the low country, and as rare even there. 

 It breeds about the city of Charleston, S. C, from which neighborhood I 

 have received its eggs in considerable numbers, from Dr. Bachman. It is 

 also found in the lower counties of Georgia, and breeds in the vicinity of 

 Savannah. It was not met with by Dr. Gerhardt in the northern portion 

 of that State. Dr. Woodhouse found it quite abundant in all parts of 

 Texas, where he tells us the sweet warblings of this beautiful and active 

 little Finch added much to the pleasures of his trip across the prairies. Its 

 favorite places of resort appeared to be small thickets, and when singing it 

 selected the highest branches of a bush. 



In the Eeport on the birds of the Mexican Boundary Survey, Lieutenant 

 Couch met with this species among the low hedges in the suburbs of 

 Pesqueria Grande. Mr. J. H. Clark observed that the individuals of this 

 species diminished as they proceeded westward. The male was almost al- 

 ways seen alone, flying a long distance for so small a bird. Their nests, he 

 adds, were built of very fine grass, in low bushes, and resting in the crotch 

 of the twigs. Males were never seen about the nest, but the females were 

 so gentle as to allow themselves to be taken off the nest, which was deliber- 

 ately done on more than one occasion. 



Dr. Kennerly reports having often listened to the melodious warblings of 



