66 INDIGO BIRD. 
tory of Louisiana, has related some particulars of this bird, which have 
been repeated by almost every subsequent writer on the subject, viz, 
that “it inhabits the woods on the Mississippi, and collects against win- 
ter a vast magazine of maize, which it carefully conceals with dry 
leaves, leaving only a small hole for entrance; and is go jealous of it, 
as never to quit its neighborhood, except to drink.” It is probable, 
though I cannot corroborate the fact, that individuals of this species 
may winter near the Mississippi; but that, in a climate so moderate, 
and where such an exuberance of fruits, seeds, and berries is to be 
found, even during winter, this, or any other bird, should take so much 
pains in hoarding a vast quantity of Indian corn, and attach itself so 
closely to it, is rather apocryphal. The same writer, vol. ii. p. 24, re- 
lates similar particulars of the Cardinal Grosbeak, (Zoxia cardinalis,) 
which, though it winters in Pennsylvania, where the climate’is much 
more severe, and where the length and rigors of that season would: 
require a far larger magazine, and be a threefold greater stimulus to 
hoarding, yet has no such habit here. Besides, I have never found a 
single grain of Indian corn in the stomach of the Summer Red-Bird, 
though [ have examined many individuals of both sexes. On the 
whole, I consider this account of Du Pratz’s in much the same light 
with that of his countryman, Charlevoix, who gravely informs us, 
that the Owls of Canada lay up a store of live mice for winter; the 
legs of which they first break, to prevent them from running away, 
and then feed them carefully, and fatten them, till wanted for use.* 
Its manners— though neither its bill nor tongue — partake very 
ouch of those of the Flycatcher; for I have frequently observed both 
male and female, a little before sunset, in parts of the forest clear of 
underwood, darting after winged insects, and continuing thus engaged 
till it was almost dusk. ; s 
INDIGO BIRD.—FRINGILLA CYANEA.— Fie. 23. 
Lanagra cyanea, Linn. Syst. i. 315. — Le Ministre, Buff. iv.86.— Indigo Bunting, 
Arct. Zool. ii. No. 235. — Lath. Synop. iii. 205, 63.— Blue Linnet, Edw. 273. — 
Peale’s Museum, No. 6002. — Linaria cyanea, Bart. p. 290. 
FRINGILLA CYANEA.—Wison. 
Fringilla cyanea, Borap. Synop.t p. 107. 
Tis is another of those rich plumaged tribes that visit us in spring 
from the regions of the south. It arrives in Pennsylvania on the 
second week in May, and disappears about the middle of September. 
‘It is numerous in all the settled parts of the Middle and Eastern States ; 
* Travels in Canada, vol.i. p. 239. Lond. 1761. 8vo. 
t By a letter from my friend, Mr. Swainson, I am informed that the Prince of 
Masignans intends to form a genus of this bird; I have therefore provisionally 
added its present name, not wishing to interfere where I am acquainted with the 
intentions of another. It appears to range with the Tanagrine.— Ep. 
