256 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



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

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

 quently found in blackberry briars. The eggs, which are generally four, are laid 

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



The Indigo Bunting is a fair singer, but not equal to any one of the three pre- 

 ceding species. 



252. Passerina ciris (Linn.). PAINTED BUNTING; NONPAREIL. 



Description. Male with head and neck blue, underparts vermilion; back golden green; rump 

 and tail purplish brown. Female olive-green above, pale, yellowish-green below. L., 5.40; 

 W., 2.70; T., 2.15. 



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



Range in North Carolina. Coastal region, from Beaufort southward. 



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

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

 neighborhood 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 New 

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

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

 wood's Folly in Brunswick County on June 12, 1898. Some ornithologists have 

 stated that the Nonpareil usually sings from the interior of a bush 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 unmarked as in that species, are spotted with reddish brown. 



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

 represented in the United States by the Dickcissel or Black-throated Bunting, Spiza americana 

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

 female lacks the black patch, and has the yellow much duller; in size it is somewhat larger than 

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

 above somewhat similar. 



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

 View, near Norfolk, Virginia, in the summer of 1907, we may expect to learn of its occurrence in 

 North Carolina at any time. 



46. FAMILY TANGAR1D>E. TANAGERS 



This is a large family of tropical American birds, a few species 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 equipped with slender ones. Only a single genus occurs with us. 



Genus Piranga (Vieill.) 



KEY TO SPECIES 



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

 parts light greenish yellow. Scarlet Tanager. 



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

 below. Summer Tanager. 



