59 
PAINTED BUNTING. 
Emberiza-ciris. 
There are few birds of more striking beauty than the 
male of this species, when arrived at its full splen- 
dour of plumage, which is not till the fourth season. 
It is an inhabitant of all the warmer parts of America, 
extending from Mexico and Peru as far as Canada. 
This splendid little bird is about the size of our 
sparrow, and is one of the most numerous of the 
summer birds of Lower Louisiana, and is called by 
the French inhabitants, " le pape,'' and by the 
Americans, the " nonpareil." The favourite haunts 
of this beautiful warbler are said to be the low 
countries of the southern states, in the vicinity of the 
sea, along the borders of large rivers, and particularly 
among the rice plantations ; they do not appear of a 
shy or timid disposition, which, added to their gay 
attire and docility of manners, cause them to be 
