LAZULI BUNTING. 



599. Passerina amcena. 5 l / 2 inches. 



This species replaces the preceding one west of the 

 Plains. While the plumage of the males is entirely 

 distinctive, that of the females is often confusing. The 

 present species has quite a conspicuous band of rusty 

 buff across the breast and lacks any sign of stripes on 

 the sides, such as show faintly on the last species. Its 

 habits are just like those of the Indigo and it frequents 

 the same kind of territory. 



Nest. Built in a bush or on the lower branches of 

 trees, only a few feet from the ground. The eggs are 

 very pale bluish white (.75 x .58). 



Range. Western United States from the Great 

 Plains to the Pacific coast, north along the coast to 

 British Columbia; south in winter to Mexico. 



118 



