93 



Genus IV.— SPIZA, Bonap. PAINTED-BUNTING. 



Bill short, moderately stout, conical, acute; upper mandible rather nar- 

 rower, with the dorsal line somewhat convex, the ridge narrow, the sides 

 sloping and a little convex, the edges inclining upwards for a third of their 

 length, then direct, with a slight notch close to the narrow declinate tip; 

 lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line very 

 slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges involute, the tip acute. 

 Nostrils basal, roundish, partly concealed by the feathers. Head broadly 

 ovate; neck short; body rather full. Feet of moderate length; tarsus much 

 compressed, with seven scutella; toes of moderate size, hind toe large, 

 lateral equal. Claws slender, compressed, well arched, acute. Plumage 

 full, soft, and blended. Wings of moderate length, the second and third 

 quills longest, the first about equal to the fourth. Tail of moderate length, 

 emarginate. Palate anteriorly with their narrow ridges, forming a large 

 oblong hard knob at their base; tongue higher than broad, deeply grooved 

 above, pointed; oesophagus dilated into a crop; stomach elliptical, muscular; 

 intestine of moderate length; coeca very small. 



/ 



PAINTED BUNTING. 



Spiza Ciris, Wils. 

 PLATE CLXIX. — Male in different states of Plumage, and Female. 



About the middle of April, the orange groves of the lower parts of 

 Louisiana, and more especially those in the immediate vicinity of the City 

 of New Orleans, are abundantly supplied with this beautiful little Finch. 

 But no sooner does it make its appearance than trap-cages are set, and a 

 regular business is commenced in the market of that city. The method 



Vol. III. 15 



