180 



Distinctions. The plumages in seasonal and sex variation closely follow those of the 

 Indigo Bunting, from which it can be told by size and its Grosbeak bill. In mixed plumage 

 it may resemble the Bluebird even to the reddish breast, but the bill is entirely unlike the 

 bill of that bird. (See Figure 50, p. 26). 



Field Marks. The above will suggest field marks, but the Blue Grosbeak is too rare 

 in Canada to safely rely on sight identification. 



Distribution. Eastern North America, in the north stopping normally considerablj 

 short of the Canadian border. 



SUBSPECIES. The subspecies of the Blue Grosbeak to be expected in Canada is 

 the eastern form, the Eastern Blue Grosbeak, the type race of the species. 



The records of this bird's occurrence in Canada are too fragmentary 

 for the species to be expected otherwise than as a rare and accidental 

 straggler. It can only be hoped for in the southern parts and perhaps 

 the southern coast. 



698. Indigo Bunting, fr. — lb pinson indigo. Passerina cyanea. L, 5 '59. A 

 rather small sparrow; the male, brilliant blue all over, the female nearly uniformly 

 bufiy rust colour with occasional faint suggestions of the blue of the male, sli^tly whitish 

 below with faiat and indistinct stripes. Autumn birds show intermediate stages between 

 the above coloration or with stronger reddish rust. 



Distinctions. The Indigo Bunting is our only all blue bird; the Bluebird, the only 

 comparable bird, has a reddish breast. The even, almost unvaried dull rusty colour of the 

 female and juvenile distinguishes them from other species. 



Field Marks. The all blue colour of the male and the even reddish of the females 

 and juveniles. 



Nesting. Generally in the crotch of a bush 2 to 3 feet above ground, in nest of grasses, 

 dead leaves, and strips of bark, lined with fine grasses, rootlets, and long hairs. 



Distribution. North America east of the plains and north well into Canada. 



The Indigo Bunting commonly frequents brushy overgrown wastes, 

 burnt land, or slashes. It has a pleasing song. 



Economic Status. Our knowledge of the food of the Indigo Bunting 

 is not complete. There is little doubt that it has the usual food habits 

 of its family; and it is credited with doing good work against the Brown- 

 tailed Moth. It is undoubtedly as worthy of protection as the others 

 of its kind. 



604. Dickcissel. Spiza americana. L, 6. Back striped with dark brown and 

 ruddy buff changing to solid dull red on wing , coverts; hind neck slate-grey to crown 

 where it is strongly tinged with yellow; cheeks [grey with pure yellow eyebrow line. 

 White below; breast pure yellow and throat with a ?harply defined black throat-patch 

 or bib. 



Distinctions. The yellow breast and black throat, slightly suggesting a small Meadow- 

 lark, are distinctive. 



Distribution. Eastern America, mostly in the interior and central portions. In 

 eastern Canada, irregularly across our borders in southwestern Ontario. 



This beautiful open field species is rare in Canada. A few have 

 appeared for a short series of years in the region at the west end of lake 

 Erie and then vanished to reappear some years later. 



FAMILY TANGARID^. TANAGEBS. L, 7 -25-7 -50. 



General Description. Brilliantly coloured birds with bills resembling those of spar- 

 rows but slightly elongated, with an evenly curved culmen, a slight notch in the upper 

 mandible opposite the tip of the lower one and a tooth and notch in the middle of the 

 upper cutting edge (Figure 53, p. 26). In some species the notch is too slight to be 

 seen without careful examination. 



Distinctions. Besides the bill features above, the eastern Canadian species can be 

 easily recognized by colour. The spring males are birds of brilliant red coloration, the 

 femaJes and autumn birds are dull warm yellows or greens with no sharp, detailed mark- 



