The female is very similar to those of _C. amœna_ and _cyanea_. The former has whitish bands on the wing; the latter differs in shape of bill, and has the first quill but little less than the second, or longest; not shorter than the sixth. In 34,033 ♂, Cape St. Lucas (June 26), the colors are much brighter than in any other of the collection. The whole occiput is bright scarlet, and the forehead nearly pure light blue, neither having scarcely a tinge of purple. Autumnal and winter males have the bright tints very slightly obscured by grayish-brown tips to the feathers, especially on the back. The female in autumn is much more brown above and more rusty beneath than in spring. HABITS. This beautiful species has only doubtful claims to a place in our fauna. It is a Mexican species, and may occasionally cross into our territory. It was met with at Boquillo, in the Mexican State of New Leon, by Lieutenant Couch. It was procured in Guatemala by Dr. Van Patten and by Salvin, and is given by Bonaparte as from Peru. It is also found at Cape St. Lucas, where it is not rare, and where it breeds. This bird is also found at Orizaba, according to Sumichrast, but is quite rare in the State of Vera Cruz. Its common name is _Prusiano_. Its geographical distribution he was not able satisfactorily to ascertain. Among the memoranda of Mr. Xantus made at Cape St. Lucas, we find the following in connection with this species: 517, nest and three eggs of _Cyanospiza versicolor_; obtained May 5 on a myrtle hanging down from very high perpendicular bluffs, off the Trajoles, at Cape St. Lucas. 1535, nest and eggs of the same found on a vine ten feet high. Specimens of this species were taken by Mr. Boucard at Oaxaca, Mexico, during the winter months. Cyanospiza ciris, BAIRD. NONPAREIL; PAINTED BUNTING. _Emberiza ciris_, LINN. Kong. Sv. Vet. Akad. Hand. 1750, 278; tab. vii, f. 1.—IB. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 313.—WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 68, pl. xxiv, f. 1, 2. _Passerina ciris_, VIEILLOT, Gal. Ois. I, 1824, 81, pl. lxvi. _Fringilla ciris_, AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 279; V, 517, pl. liii. _Spiza ciris_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 476.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 108.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 93, pl. clxix. _Cyanospiza ciris_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 503.—IB. Mex. Bound. II, Birds, 17, pl. xviii, f. 2.—HEERM. X, c, p. 14. _? Fringilla mariposa_, SCOPOLI, Annals Hist. Nat. I, 1769, 151. _Painted Finch_, CATESBY, PENNANT.