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PAINTED BUNTING. 



Emberiza picta, Swainson. 



PLATE CCCC. Fig. 5. 



This handsome species was discovered by Dr Richardson in April 

 1827, on the banks of the Saskatchewan River, associated with the 

 Lapland Longspur. Only one specimen was procm-ed at Carlton 

 House, which has been figured by Mr Swainson in the Faima Boreali- 

 Americana. My own figure of this species was drawn from the same 

 specimen, which was kindly lent to me for that purpose by the Coun- 

 cil of the Zoological Society. That the Painted Bunting at times re- 

 tires far southward, probably accompanying the Lapland Longspur, is 

 a fact for which I can vouch, having seen one on the shore of the Mis- 

 sissippi in December 1820, which however I missed on wing after ha- 

 ving viewed it about two minutes, as it lay flat on the ground. 



Embeeiza (Plectrophanes) picta, Painted Bunting, Bichards. and 



Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 250. 

 Painted Bunting, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 589. 



Adult Male. Plate CCCC. Fig. 5. 



Bill short, conical, stout, compressed toward the end, acuminate ; 

 its outlines straight, the lower mandible a little narrower than the up- 

 per at the base ; the gape-line straight, slightly deflected at the base. 

 Nostrils basal, rounded, partly concealed by the feathers. 



Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck short, body compact. Feet of 

 ordinary length ; tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered with seven large 

 scutella, sharp behind ; toes of moderate size ; the lateral toes equal, 

 the hind toe stout ; claws long, slightly arched, laterally grooved, com- 

 pressed, very acute, that of the hind toe much elongated. 



Plumage soft and blended, the feathers somewhat distinct on the 

 back and wings. Wing long, pointed, the second quill longest, the 

 first nearly equal ; the second, third, and fourth primaries attenuated 

 on the outer web toward the end. Tail rather long, deeply emargi- 

 nate. 



