FHiNGiLLiDa:. BIRDS. Fkingillid.®. 
cxlvi 
TOWNSEND’S BUNTING {Eusjiiza townse^idi) .—0^ 
tliis bird Prof. Baird says: “This carious l)ird lias 
long been a puzzle to ornithologists in the uncertainly 
whether it is only a variety of Euspiza aniericana, 
or a distinct species. 'I’lius far but one specimen is 
known, the one before me, kindly lent to the Smith- 
sonian Institution by Dr. Micherer, and previously 
figured and described by Mr. Audubon.” 
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK [Hedymeles ludovici- 
ana). — This elegant bird is found as a summer visitor 
in all parts of New England, though sparsely, and 
in other sections east of the ^Missouri jilains. AVilson 
gives an account of one kept in a cage by a gentle- 
man in Connecticut, which frequently sang at night, 
and uttered notes of extreme sweetness and clearness. 
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK [Hedymeles melanoce- 
phalus). — 'This is the Fringilla of Audution, and 
Coccoborus of Audubon’s Synopsis. It is found in 
the high central plains, from the Yellowstone to the 
Bacific. 
BLUE GROSBEAK [Guiraca cmrulea). — “ 'I'his soli- 
tary and retired species inhabits the warmer parts of 
America, from Cuiana, and probably farther south, 
to Virginia. Mr. Bartram also saw it during a sum- 
mer’s residence near Lancaster, Pa. In the United 
States it is, however, a rare species, and, having but 
few notes, is more rarely observed. 'I'hey are timid 
birds, watchful, silent and active. 'I'hey feed on 
seeds and the kernels of several kinds of berries.” — 
Wilson. 
VARIED BUNTING [Cymiosjnsa versicolor). — This 
beautiful Spiza is sufficiently distinct from the other 
North American species not to require any compari- 
son between adult males. Its habitat is North- 
eastern Mexico to the Bio (jlrande. 
LAZULI FINCH [Gyanospiza amcma). — 'I’his is 
about the size of the 0. cyanea, the bill being exactly 
similar. Habitat, high central plains to the Pacific. 
INDIGO-BIRD [Cyanospka cyanea). — In the more 
pojmlous regions of New England the Indigo-bird is 
a common summer visitor. Its rich plumage and its 
pleasant song make it a favorite in the country-side. 
Nuttall says: “ 'I'hougli naturally shy, active and 
suspicious, they still, at the interesting pei'iod of 
procreation, resort chiefly to the precincts of habi- 
tations, around which they are far more common 
than in the solitary woods, seeking their borders or 
the thickets by the sides of the roads; but their 
i'avorite resort is the garden.” 
PAINTED BUNTING [Cyanospka ciris). — This 
beautiful little bird is a favorite in Louisiana, where 
it is called by the French inhabitants, Le Pape, ft 
also is known there as the Nonpareil. In the low 
countries, especially in the rice plantations, he is 
particularly at home. Ills notes are similar to those 
of the Indigo-bird, but have not the strength and 
energy of the latter. Wilson says that he found 
him the most commonly domesticated l}ird in New 
Orleans, and adds: “Were the same attention be- 
stowed on these birds as on the Canary, I have no 
doubt but they would breed with equal facility, and 
become equally numerous and familiar, while the 
richness of their plumage might compensate for their 
inferiority of song. 'I’hese birds arrive in Louisiana 
from the south about the iniddle of April, and begin 
to build early in May. 'I'heir food consists of rice, 
insects, and various kinds of seeds that grow luxuri- 
antly in their native haunts. Early in October they 
retire to more southern climes, being extremely sus- 
ceptible to cold.” 
LITTLE SEED-EATER [SpermopiTiila moreleti) is 
found on the Rio Grande of'l'exas, and in Honduras. 
It is the smallest of American passerine birds. 'I'lie 
Black-faced Finch (Phonipara zena) is a West Indian 
species, found in Florida. 
TEXAS CARDINAL {Pyrrhulo.eia sinunta) is found 
in the valley of the Rio Grande. 
RED-BIRD; CARDINAL {Cardinalis virginianus). 
— 01 this bird Wilson says: “This is one of our 
most common cage-birds, and is very generally 
known, not only in America, but even in Europe. In 
Pennsylvania and the Northern States it is rather a 
scarce species, but through the whole lower parts 
of the Southern States, in the neighborhood of 
settlements, it is common.” A variety, igneus, is 
found in western territories. Wilson asserts that 
the female of the species “often sings nearly as well 
as the male.” 
TOWHEE ; GROUND ROBIN {Pipilo ery throptlial- 
mus) is a very common species in the Southern 
New England States, and extends as i'ar west as llie 
•Missouri River. Its common name, 'I'owhee, is de- 
rived from its peculiar note. In Virginia he is called 
the Bullfinch, and in many places Chew’ink and 
Swamp Robin. Its presence in the woods is known 
very readily, even if its notes are not heard, as it 
is usually busy in scratching away the leaves in 
search of food ; in this it makes as much bustle 
and noise as an old hen might in the same occiqia- 
tion. Its food consists of worms, insects and 
seeds, which it finds under the debris of the forest. 
About the middle of October it migrates to the 
south. A variety, alleni, is found in Florida. 
OREGON GROUND ROBIN (P. orcycK !(«).— This 
species, described by .Mr. Bell, is found on the coast 
of Oregon and Washington Territories. “It is 
readily distinguished from the former by the white 
on the scapulars and wing coverts. Its rdationshi])s 
to arcticus are much closer.” — Baird. 
ARCTIC GROUND ROBIN (P. arcticus).— “'\'h\s 
species is similar in form to the P. erythropthalmus, 
which, however, is readily distinguished by theentirt; 
absence of white on the scapulars and wing coverts. 
'I’he amount of white on the tail decreases much less 
rapidly. 'I’he differences between it and P. oregonus 
will be found detailed under the head of the latter 
species.” — Baird. Habitat, high central plains of 
Ujiper hlissouri, VYllowstone and Platte. 
SPURRED TOWHEE (P. megalonyx).—“'Y\\\ii form, 
if not a distinct species, constitutes so sti'ongly 
marked a variety as to be worthy of particular de- 
scription. The general appearance is that of P. 
arcticus, which it resembles in the amount of white 
spotting on its wings.” — Baird. Habitat, southern 
coast of California, and across through the vailleys ol 
Gila and Rio Grande. 
