seeds, the buds of hickory, beech, and birch, and fruit blossoms.
The distribution of the Grosbeak is somewhat irregular ; it will be common on one side of a river and rare on the other, or plentiful on both sides of a range of hills and un- known among the hills themselves. The song is continued well into August, but the bird is quite silent before leaving in September. Two or three years are required to bring the rose-coloured markings to perfection; but Mr. Bicknell once shot a young male on the 23, of September, whose breast was crimsoning, and who was in full song. This last fact adds proof to a pet theory of my own, that the best autumn music is made by the birds of the season.
Indigo Bunting; Passerina cyanea.
Plate 34. Length: 5.50 inches.
Male: Deep blue (in some lights, having a greenish cast), deepest on head; rump, wings, and tail washed thinly with brownish. Bill dark above, lighter below.
Female: Above, warm brown, whitening on breast.
Song: Sweet but weak, — ‘‘ Tshe—tshe—tshe—tshay !”’
Season: Middle of May to third week in September.
Breeds: Through its United States range.
Nest: In bushes, bulky and rude, of leaves and grass.
Eggs: Bluish or pure white, with brown spots.
Range: Eastern United States, south, in winter, to Veragua.
Beautiful plumage and a very small voice is the sum of the Indigo Bunting’s attractions. It comes about the middle of May with the Scarlet Tanager, and if you should chance to find these birds in company, as sometimes happens, rest- ing on the same rough fence rail, while a Goldfinch swings near them among the wayside grasses, you will have seen the primary colours as illustrated in bird life.
When the Bunting feeds upon the ground, as is his usual habit, his food consisting mainly of the seed of small grasses and herbs, his plumage is brought out wonderfully by the play of light upon it, varying from deep blue to a tint of
verde antique, unlike the Bluebird’s sky colour.
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