THE INDIGO BUNTING. 55 



on the first occasion I turned the bird out, as a last chance, to lower 

 its temperature. It was in a corner of my bird-room on the ground, 

 puffed up and with its face turned to the wall, evidently dying. On 

 taking it in my hand and blowing aside the feathers, I found the 

 abdomen red and inflamed ; the bird was extremely hot, and evidently 

 suffering from rather acute enteritis. 



It seemed rather rough treatment, but I took that bird outside, 

 put him into my coldest aviary, where, at the time, the thermometer 

 registered several degrees of frost, and in about three days he was as 

 well as ever. Mr. Abrahams thought that the pure air restored him, 

 but I believe this rash heroic treatment lowered his temperature first, 

 and the fresher atmosphere completed the cure. He lived for two years 

 afterwards. 



On another occasion I turned an Indigo Finch out in the autumn. 

 He lived, and sang at intervals, throughout the winter ; but, in the 

 midst of his change into the breeding plumage, died suddenly and 

 iinexpectedly. 



My very good friend, Dr. W. J. Holland, the Chancellor of the 

 Western University of Pennsylvania, and a most enthusiastic naturalist, 

 writes to me respecting the Indigo Bunting as follows : 



" This sprightly and brilliant little bird is very common over the 

 Eastern United States, and retreating before the gales of winter, finds 

 its home during the cold months in the Gulf States and Mexico. 



It appears in the latter part of May in Pennsylvania, and a few 

 stragglers are to be found lingering with us as late as October. In the 

 Carolinas it is very abundant in the middle uplands, and frequents 

 deserted fields upon the plantations, seeming to have a special fondness 

 for those which are overgrown with thickets of brambles. 



" The nest, which is a neat little affair, is built in low bushes, and 

 is composed of leaves, interwoven with grasses on the outside, and is 

 lined on the inside with finer stems of grass. There are generally four 

 to five eggs : they are mostly bluish-white, though sometimes they are 

 sparingly spotted and blotched with rusty-brown. 



' The female is a very inconspicuous and shy creature, devoting 

 herself with motherly assiduity to the cares of her nest. The male, on 

 the other hand, is a great dandy, and loves to fly out from the covert 

 and, perching upon a fence-stake or a tall bush, ejaculates his short, 

 but sweet and rapid notes. He is obedient, however, to the call of his 

 mate, and generally, after having once or twice uttered his song from 

 his conspicuous perch, disappears at the call of his more timid 

 companion. 



