256 Birds ok North Carolina 



places where low bushes are abundant. The nest is nuich like that of the preced- 

 ing, but smaller, and is usually not so hisli from the ground, being not infre- 

 quently found in l)lackl)('rry briars. The eggs, which are generally four, are laid 

 in June and .luly and are pure white. Size .73 x ..53. 



The Indigo Bunting is a fair singer, but not ('([ual to any one of the three pre- 

 ceding species. 



252. Passerina ciris (Linn.). Painted Buntinc;; Nonparkil. 



Descri [iliou. — Malo witli liciul .and neck blue, underparts vermilion; b.iek Roldon green; rump 

 and tail |)ui'plish brown. Female olive-green aliove, pale, jellowish-green below. L., .5.40; 

 AV., 2.70; T., 2.1.5. 



Range. — Houtli .Atlantic and Gulf States, wintering in Mexico and Central America. 



Range in NoHli Carolina. — Coastal region, from Beaufoi-t southward. 



The Painted Bunting is a sununer visitor along the southern half of our coast, 

 arriving probably in April, liki^ its more abundant cousin, the Indigo. In the 

 neighl)orhood of Beaufort it has been recorded as early as .June by Pearson, and in 

 late July and early August by Bruner. Farther south, in Brunswick and Xew 

 Hanover counties, Pearson has found it common in May, June, and .luly. He 

 watched a male carrying Iniilding material to a nearly completed nest at Lock- 

 wood's Folly in Brunswick ("ounty on ,Iune 12, 1898. Some ornithologists have 

 stated that the Nonpareil usually sings from the interior of a l)ush or tree, but 

 Pearson has often observed them occupying elevated terminal twigs when thus 

 engaged. 



The nest does not differ materially from that of the Indigo, but the eggs, instead 

 of being mimarked as in that .species, are spotted with reddish lirown. 



Another genus of this family, one, a representative of wliieh may occur in our State, is Spiza, 

 represented in the T'nited States by the Dickcissel or Hlack-throated Bunting, Sjiiza americana 

 (Gniel.). In this bird the male has a black patcli on the throat, and a yellow breast, while the 

 female lacks thc> black patch, and has tiie yellow much duller; in size it is somewhat larger tlian 

 an English Sparrow, whicli it resembles in the general appearance of the upper surface; markings 

 above .somewhat similar. 



It occurs mainly west of the .Mlegh.any Mountains, but as C. A. Reed identified one at Ocean 

 View, near Xorfolk, Virginia, in the summer of 1907, wo maj' expect to learn of its occurrence in 

 North Carolina at any time. 



46. FAMILY TANGARID/E. TANAGERS 



This is a large family of troijical American birds, a few sjjecies only occurring 

 in temperate regions. The species are said to grade into the wood-warblers on the 

 one hand, and into the finches on the other, some forms having stout bills and 

 others being ecjuipped with slender ones. Only a single genus occurs with us. 



Genus Piranga I'Vieill.) 



KEY TO Sl'EriES 



1. Male scarlet, with black wings and tail: female olive-green, the wings and tail darker, under- 



p irts light greenish yc^Uow. Scarlet Tanagir. 

 1. Male bright rose red, wings .and tail the same color; female brownish olive, dull yellowish 



below. Summer Tanager. 



