599. Passerina amœna. 5½ inches
This species replaces the preceding one west of the Plains. While the plumage of the males is entirely distinctive, that of the females is often confusing. The present species has quite a conspicuous band of rusty buff across the breast and lacks any sign of stripes on the sides, such as show faintly on the last species. Its habits are just like those of the [Indigo] and it frequents the same kind of territory.
Nest.—Built in a bush or on the lower branches of trees, only a few feet from the ground. The eggs are very pale bluish white (.75 × .58).
Range.—Western United States from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast; north along the coast to British Columbia; south in winter to Mexico.
VARIED BUNTING
600. Passerina versicolor. 5½ inches
This beautiful species is less common than any others of the genus and has a very restricted range in the United States. The plumage of the male birds varies a great deal; that shown in the accompanying illustration is from a brightly colored specimen. They will average duller than this. These birds frequent thickets or brush-studded pasture land. Their song is described as weaker than that of the [Indigo Bunting], but having much of the same character.
Nest.—Built of grasses, bark and fine rootlets; a cup-shaped structure placed in forks of bushes, usually in tangled thickets. The three or four eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the last species.
Range.—The Lower Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas. A sub-species (pulchra) is also found in Lower California and southern Arizona.