DESCRIPTIVE LIST 255 



This bird, which is sometimes called "Big Indigo," is a frequenter of compara- 

 tively open country, nesting usually in small trees, or sometimes on the lower limbs 

 of larger ones. The nest is inclined to be bulky, and is constructed of weed stems 

 or grass, and is often lined with horsehair. Sometimes lint, cotton, rags, and 

 pieces of paper are used in its construction. Usually it is built in a fork of a small 

 tree or bush at a height varying from three to eight feet. The eggs are four in 

 number, and are laid in this latitude from late May to mid-July. They are white 

 and unmarked. Size about .85 x .65. 



Like other brightly colored birds of this family, the Blue Grosbeak is a good 

 singer. It is rather partial to corn, which its powerful bill enables it to crack with 

 ease. 



Although not common in western North Carolina, Cairns found it at Weaver- 

 ville on June 10, 1888. Other records from near the mountains are Taylorsville, 

 Alexander County, two seen in June, 1909, by Bruner ; and Morganton, found breed- 

 ing by Wayne the same year. 



Genus Passerina (Vieill.) 



Contains a number of small, brightly colored finches, the males of which have 

 more or less blue in the plumage. Both of the two eastern species occur in the 



State. 



KEY TO SPECIES 



1. Male all blue; female clear brown. Indigo Bunting. 



1. Male blue with red and green; female green and yellowish. Painted Bunting. 



251. Passerina cyanea (Linn.}. INDIGO BUNTING. 



Description. Male in summer wholly deep blue; lores blackish, wings and tail black with 

 blue margins; female clear brown, whitish, beneath. Extreme measurements of 59 specimens 

 from Raleigh: L., 5.12-5.90; W., 2.50-2.90; T., 1.9CK2.25. 



Range. Eastern North America in summer; wintering south of the United States. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State in summer. 



FIG. 204. INDIGO BUNTING. 



The Indigo is an abundant summer visitor throughout our State, the first 

 arrivals from the south appearing late in April. It departs the last week in 

 October. Like the preceding species, it is not a woodland bird, though partial to 



