224 PAINTED BUNTING. 



I have quite frequently kept the Painted Bunting as a cage pet, but in captivity 

 its colors loose much of their brilliancy, and such a bird cannot be compared with 

 those enjoying freedom. The colors of the latter are much more intense and brilliant, 

 its motions are quicker and more graceful, its song brighter, more cheerful and varied, 

 the beautiful southern landscape, the deep blue sky, the brilHant rays of the sun, and 

 the mild, yet refreshing Gulf breeze adding to it a particular charm. Only in its native 

 haunts the friend of Nature can fully appreciate the beauty and song of this elegant 

 bird. When I kept it in the cage I considered it a very beautiful bird, but thought the 

 name Nonpareil an exaggeration, but when ' later I observed it among the flowering 

 magnolias, camellias, banana shrubs, orange trees, crape myrtles, and other fine trees 

 and bushes I was convinced that the name was well chosen. 



On a fine day late in April or early in May a dozen of these birds may be sometimes 

 heard singing at the same time and in all directions, some hidden in the interior of 

 thickets, others displaying their beauty in the top of a small tree or bush or on a 

 chimney, while a few, more excited, rise into the air or ascend from a low shrub to the 

 crown of a larger tree. Still others inspired by the song of the Mockingbird even warble 

 at night. The song is very clear, melodious, and sweet, but short and not much varied, 

 resembling closely the ditty of the Indigo Bunting. The Nonpareil is a very diligent 

 songster, whose song is heard from early mom till late in the afternoon, even during 

 noon, when the tropical heat of the southern sun puts to silence most other birds. 

 During cold, rainy weather it rarely sings, but after one of the warm showers it is 

 especially active and vocal. 



In gardens, orchards, thickets, and on the bushy woodland border each pair selects 

 a breeding range, the boundary lines of which are fiercely defended against intrusion by 

 any other male of its own species. With the quickness of an arrow the jealous male 

 darts down upon such an intruder and drives him bravely away. 



With other birds it generally lives very peaceably. I often found nests of Lark 

 Sparrows, Cardinal Grosbeaks, Orchard Orioles, Blue Grosbeaks, Chats, White-eyed 

 Vireos and Mockingbirds near those of the Painted Bunting. These different birds, after 

 having become accustomed to each other, seem to form one family. Upon the alarm note 

 by one of them, the others of the neighborhood hurry to the spot in great excitement. 

 There seems to be no end of lamentation if a snake or another nest robber has made 

 its appearance, but if they have succeeded in driving the enemy away, they all join in a 

 triumphant jubilee. 



"At this period," writes Mr. H. F. Peters, of Bonham, Texas, "the male is very 

 attentive, but after nest-building has commenced he is quite another bird. He helps to 

 find the place to build, and appears to be very particular about it, but as soon as it is 

 decided upon, he retires from business. He never works ; he is a little dude, too finely 

 dressed to do any labor. I have frequently seen him sitting a few feet above the nest, 

 singing unconcernedly, while his mate would be struggling with a yard or two of twine, 

 or a piece of old rag to weave into the nest. I have never seen the male help in nest- 

 building, or in feeding the young while in the nest, but have seen him feed them after 

 they were fledged. . . . While the female is very gentle and tame, frequently coming to 

 the door in search of material for the nest and food for the young, the male is shy and 



