216 INDIGO BUNTING. 



the Song Sparrow or the Chipping-bird. The deep indigo-blue color of its plumage, though 

 brilliant in the extreme, when the sun strikes it, does not readily attract our sight. 

 Moreover it is a very wild and suspicious bird, not seeking man's society. This is 

 especially true during the breeding season. In the spring migration, however, it often 

 comes into the gardens, even in cities, with other Sparrows, and at such times it is 

 perceived at once by its beautiful blue color, which is especially striking on the back- 

 ground of brownish or gray soil. 



The Indigo Bunting is a late arrival, not appearing in northern Illinois and 

 southern Wisconsin before the middle of May, although a few stray birds may be seen as 

 early as May 9. In south-western Missouri I have never observed it before Apral 29.* 

 From late in May until July and August it chants its bright and charming song, which 

 has the only fault of being too short. It closely resembles the w^arble of the Painted 

 Bunting and the. Lazuli Finch, but it is louder. It certainly is difEcult to decide which 

 of the three birds is the best singer. The song consists of a repetition of short notes, 

 at first loud and rapid, but gradually less frequent, and becoming less and less distinct. 

 To enjoy the sweet lay of this bird in all its beauty, w^e must hear it in its bushy 

 haunts. Though not a first class songster, it is certainly one of the most beautiful, 

 active and animated, fascinating alike to the ear and the eye. It sings with equal 

 animation in May and June, more sparingly in July and August, and not less during 

 the noonday heat of summer than in the early morning or when the sun disappears 

 behind the fiery-red clouds of the western sky. In Missouri I have listened to its 

 sweet chant in the early days of August from the open window of my study. The 

 bird was perched on a telegraph wire near my garden. Only a few birds were singing 

 as late in the season. In my garden cannas, dahlias, tritomas, tiger', Leichtlin'^^, and 

 Maximowicz's* lilies and gladioli displayed their beautiful colors, while tuberoses, golden- 

 banded* and Japan lilies ° perfumed the air w^ith their most delicious fragrance. While 

 singing the Indigo Bunting often sits in the top of a large bush or small tree, also on posts 

 and stumps, and even on chimneys and lightning rods, where the beautiful bird is sure 

 to attract attention by its persistent ditty. Usually it keeps its place for a long time, 

 repeating its notes almost incessantly. With great rapidity it darts down into the 

 dense shrubbery when danger threatens, keeping hidden and quiet until it feels safe 

 again. The female is still more suspicious and shy, though her neutral brownish-gray 

 color well protects her from observation. 



Miss Florence A. Merriam, in her fascinating manner gives the following description 

 of the female Indigo Bunting and her ways : 



"In walking among clumps of bushes in clearings or old pastures, look sharp if a 

 small brown bird flies before you, especially if she calls cheep and twitches her tail 

 nervously from side to side. Though she be a sparrowy-looking bird, look well to her 

 shoulders and tail. If you discover a glint of blue and her cries call her mate, you will 



• Mr. Otto Widmann of St. Loula, Mo., one of our most accurate and painstaking observers, gives the following 

 report on the Indigo Bunting's spring migration for St. Louis: "April 28, first, a male, in song; April 29, an increase, 

 a small flock of males; April 30, males in song in a few places; May 6, the bulk of the males and the first female 

 arrived; May 6, males everywhere in noisy flocks and many transients. These two days (May 5 and 6) were the height 

 of the season for males. May 9, the bulk of young males and the bulk of females arrived ; birds mating ; May 21 , nest 

 building; May 31, one of our most industrious songsters." 



t Lilium tigrinum. 2 I,. Leicbtlinii. » L, Maximowicti' * L. auratum. ' L. speciosum. 



