How do miniture Xmas lights stay lit when one burns out, yet they're apparently wired in series.?

Question

I can tell that the miniture Christmas lights are wired in series because when I pull one of the bulbs out of its socket, all of the other lights go out. Yet when one (or more) of the bulbs burns out, all of the others continue to stay lit. Wouldn't it be natural to conclude that there's no practical circutry difference between a bulb burning out and it being removed from its socket? Yet there obviously is; What is it? Is there an Electrical Engineer out there who can answer this. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Bill Foote

Answer 1

http://home.howstuffworks.com/christmas-lights.htm

Answer 2

I believe the reason why the other lights didnt go it is because the burnt light burn is still being use as a conductor of electricity. Its like a bridge for the electric current to pass through and distribute to the other light bulbs. When you remove it from the socket, you literally destroyed the flow of the current.

Answer 3

there's a mechanical switch connection being made when the light bulb is in place. Remove it, the connection is broken. Runs parallel to the power feeding the light bulb filament.