SPECIES 6. EMBERIZA CIRIS. 



PAINTED BUNTING. 

 [Plate XXIV. Fig. 1, Male. Fig. 2, Female.} 



LINN. Syst. 313. Painted Finch, CATESBY, i, 44. EDW. 130, 173. 

 JUrct. Zool. p. S62, JVo. 226. Le Verdier de la Louisiane, dit 

 vulgairement le Pape, BRISSON, in, 300. Jlpp. 74. BUFFON, iv, 

 76. PL Enl 1 59. LATH, n, 206. Linaria ciris, the Painted 

 Finch, or Nonpareil, BARTRAM, p. 291. PEALE'S Museum, JVo. 

 6062, and 6063. 



THIS is one of the most numerous of the little summer birds 

 of Lower Louisiana, where it is universally known among the 

 French inhabitants, and called by them " Le Pape," and by the 

 Americans the Nonpareil. Its gay dress and docility of man- 

 ners have procured it many admirers; for these qualities are 

 strongly attractive, and carry their own recommendations al- 

 ways along with them. The low countries of the southern states, 

 in the vicinity of the sea, and along the borders of our large 

 rivers, particularly among the rice plantations, are the favourite 

 haunts of this elegant little bird. A few are seen in North 

 Carolina; in South Carolina they are more numerous; and still 

 more so in the lower parts of Georgia. To the westward I first 

 met them at Natchez, on the Mississippi, where they seemed 

 rather scarce. Below Baton Rouge, along the Levee, or embank- 

 ment of the river, they appeared in greater numbers; and con- 

 tinued to become more common as I approached New Orleans, 

 where they were warbling from almost every fence, and cros- 

 sing the road before me every few minutes. Their notes very 

 much resemble those of the Indigo Bird (Plate VI, fig. 6.); but 

 want the strength and energy of the latter, being more feeble 

 and more concise. 



