THE LAZULI BUNTING OR BLUE LINNET. 



{Passerina amcena.) 



If it is a question of beauty of coloring no other bird may hope to surpass to human 

 eyes this little bit of heaven's blue, with his soft, tawny breast and clear white under parts. 

 — William Rogers Lord, "Birds of Oregon and Washington." 



It seems eminently fitting that the 

 prettily colored and delicate little Lazuli 

 Bunting should inhabit a region of bright 

 sunshine, gorgeous flowers and luxu- 

 riant foliage. It is an abundant bird in 

 California and its range covers the west- 

 ern portion of the United States, from 

 the Plains to the Pacific coast, and from 

 British Columbia southward into Mex- 

 ico. The female of this bird is also 

 pretty and delicate, but she does not pos- 

 sess the bright colors of her mate. Her 

 plumage is brownish above and whitish 

 beneath. Indeed, her plumage is so plain 

 and she is so shy and timid that she is 

 not easily observed except when on the 

 nest. The male, however, is not so timid 

 and is much more conspicuous because 

 of its brightly colored plumage and its 

 lively song, which is uttered from an ex- 

 posed position on the upper branches of 

 a bush or tree. 



The habits and song of the Lazuli 

 Bunting are similar to those of the well 

 known indigo bird or bunting of the east- 

 ern United States. Regarding its song, 

 Dr. Coues says : "I do not agree with 

 some who say that the song of the Lazuli 

 Finch (Bunting) is entirely different 

 from that of the indigo bird ; on the con- 

 trary, to my ear at least, it sounded very 

 similar." Though its song is simple and 

 lacks force, the notes are sweet-toned and 

 uttered in quite a sprightly manner. We 

 can hardly agree with Dr. Coues, who 



says : "It is a simple and even feeble 

 strain, rather monotonous, and given in 

 a tripping, desultory way, as if the little 

 performer were tired or indifferent." 

 Much more satisfactory to many who 

 have heard the Lazuli Bunting sing is 

 the description of Mr. Lord, who says: 

 "His song is vivacious, varied, well ar- 

 ticulated, and sweet," and he adds, "I 

 have heard one say over and over, 'Here ! 

 here ! why-e, don't you come here ?' ' : 



Lazuli Buntings cannot be considered 

 gregarious birds. Yet they are common 

 in suitable localities nearly throughout 

 their range, and in California they are 

 very abundant. In Colorado, where it is 

 also quite common, Mr. Trippe says it 

 is found from the plains to a height of 

 6,000 feet, and that it nests at this eleva- 

 tion. He also speaks of its song as weak 

 and rambling. 



The Lazuli Bunting usually builds its 

 nest in a low bush, seldom at a greater 

 height than three or four feet above the 

 ground. Fine strips of bark, small twigs, 

 fibrous roots and grasses are used in its 

 construction, and it is lined with hairs, 

 plant-down and feathers. Dr. J. G. 

 Cooper describes a nest that he observed. 

 It was "in a low bush close to the public 

 road and about three feet from the 

 ground, was built very strongly, sup- 

 ported by a triple fork of the branch and 

 composed of grass blades finely inter- 

 woven, the inside lined with much horse 

 hair and cobwebs." 



