54 



RICE BUNTING 



color; back black seamed with brownish yellow; scapulars pure 

 white, rump and tail coverts the same; lower part of the back 

 bluish white; tail formed like those of the Woodpecker genus, and 

 often used in the same manner, being thrown in to support it while 

 ascending the stalks of the reed ; this habit of throwing in the tail 

 it retains even in the cage ; legs a brownish flesh color ; hind heel 

 very long; bill a bluish horn color; eye hazel; see fig. 1. In the 

 month of June this plumage gradually changes to a brownish yel- 

 low, like that of the female, fig. 2, which has the back streaked 

 with brownish black; whole lower parts dull yellow; bill reddish 

 flesh color; legs and eyes as in the male. The young birds retain 

 the dress of the female until the early part of the succeeding spring; 

 the plumage of the female undergoes no material change of color. 



