it can be taught to repeat any of our airs. The canary can speak and whistle; the nightingale despises our words as well as our song, and never fails to return to the warbling of its own wild wood-notes. Its pipe is a master-piece of nature, which human art can neither alter nor improve; that of the canary-bird is a model of more pliant materials, which we can mould at pleasure. This last, therefore, contributes in a much greater degree to the comforts of society; it sings at all seasons; it cheers us in the dullest weather; and even adds to our happiness-for it amuses the young, and delights the recluse; it charms the tediousness of the cloister, and exhilarates the soul of the innocent and the captive."

"The breeding and rearing of these charming birds," says Bolton, "forms an amusement of the most pleasing kind, and affords a variety of scenes highly interesting to innocent minds. In this country, no less than in the old German Fatherland, and amid the green valleys of the Tyrol, many enthusiastic canary fanciers may be met with. There are societies in London-and some of them have existed for more than a century—for promoting the breed of canaries, and amateurs distinguish upward of thirty varieties: these varieties are separated into two great divisions-the Plain and the Variegated; the former being called Gay Birds or Gay Spangles, and the latter Fancy Birds or Mealy Birds; these latter are esteemed the strongest, and have the boldest song. Jonks or Jonquils is also a term applied to those of a pure yellow. There is also a variety called the Lizard, the plumage of which is of a greenish-bronze throughout, excepting the upper part of the head, which is covered by a patch of clear yellow, and this variety is looked upon as the nearest of kin to the original stock."

The AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, C. tristis, is four and a half inches long; general color yellow; wings and tail black, varied with white; feeds on the seeds of the sunflower, lettuce, thistle, &c.; the nest is made on trees or tall bushes; eggs four to five, pure white, with reddish-brown spots at the smaller end. It is found from the tropics to the Fur Countries, and is a familiar bird at all seasons in the United States, and is often seen about the gardens. It has the various popular names of Yellow-Bird, Thistle-Bird, Lettuce-Bird, Salad-Bird, &c. Many are taken in trap-cages; their song is feeble, but plaintive and pleasing; in confinement they become familiar, and hence they are favorite cage birds.

The PINE-FINCH, C. pinus, four and a half inches long; varied with olive-brown and black; beneath lighter shade; feeds on the seeds of the pine, birch, thistles, &c.; found from Florida to Maine; permanent in the Middle States.

Other species are the C. Magellanicus, found, though rarely, in Ohio; C. psaltria, found in Louisiana and Arkansas; C. Mexicanus, found in California; C. Stanleyi, also found in California.

The CITRIL-FINCH-Fringilla citrinella of Linnæus-is five inches long, its plumage greenishgray, tinged with ashy-gray, and blackish; found in Southern Europe, where it is a cage bird.

The SERIN-FINCH-Loxia serinus or Fringilla serinus of Linnæus; Serin Vert of the French -has often been confounded with the preceding; it is four and a half inches long; general color greenish-yellow; noted as a lively and indefatigable singer. It is migratory, and spends the summer in Middle Europe; some remain through the cold seasor,

The GLOSSY FINCH-F. nitens of Linnæus-is four inches and a half long; plumage blue-black, or coal-black, with a gloss of steel; found in Cayenne.

The BRAZILIAN FINCH-F. granatina of Linnæus-is four inches long; brown above, the rump blue; beneath chestnut-color; found in Brazil.

The BLUE-BELLIED FINCH-F. Bengalensis of Linnæus-is four and a half inches long; ashybrown above; blue beneath; found in Guiana.

Other foreign species are the LIVER-COLORED FINCH, F. hepatica, of Western Africa; the GREEN GOLDFINCH, F. melba, of Brazil; and the ANGOLA FINCH, F. Angolensis, of Angola.

Genus ERYTHROSPIZA: Erythrospiza.—This includes the PURPLE FINCH-the American Linnet of Nuttall—E. purpurea; it is six inches long; in full plumage, the male is rich crimson above, deepest on the head and neck; the back streaked with dusky; beneath white. This is a winter bird of passage, coming to us from the north in September and October, and in very severe seasons proceeding, in considerable numbers, as far as the Southern States, and even to

Mexico. Audubon often saw small flocks of them in Louisiana, from April to November. In May, it moves to the northern regions of the continent, though some linger by the way, and are often seen in New England and Northern New York throughout the summer, building their nests and carrying on their household affairs. This species has a habit of erecting the feathers of its crown like a crest; hence it is sometimes called the Crested Purple Finch. It feeds on the buds and berries of evergreens during winter and on insects in summer.

The AMERICAN HOUSE-FINCH, Carpodacus familiaris of Cassin, is six inches long; above brownish red; beneath white and brown; resembles the preceding; common in New Mexico; abundant and familiar in California, where it is called Buriones. Its song is exceedingly tender and melodious. Other species are the E. frontalis, six and a quarter inches long; found in the Rocky Mountains, and E. tephrocotis, six inches long; found in the Northern Regions.

Genus AMMODROMUS: Ammodromus.-This includes the SWAMP-FINCH or RED GRASSBIRD, A. palustris, five and a half inches long; bay above, beneath bluish-ash; it makes its nest on the ground; feeds on grass-seeds and aquatic insects; found from Texas to Labrador.

The SEA-SIDE FINCH, A. maritimus, is eight inches long; olive-brown above; gray beneath; feeds on marine crustacea and sea-shore insects. Found in maritime parts of New England and the Middle States.

The QUAIL-HEAD, A. caudacutus, is five inches long; olive above; soiled white beneath; the head, when the bird is seen on the ground, resembles that of the quail; it is found in salt marshes, where it breeds, as also the preceding.

The WESTERN SWAMP-SPARROW, or BROWN-HEADED FINCH, A. ruficeps, is six inches long; chestnut-brown above, beneath pale-ashy; found in California.

Other species are A. Macgillivrayi, five and a half inches long; found in Texas: A. Bachmani, six inches long; found in the Carolinas: and A. Lecontii, five inches long; found in Missouri : A. Lincolnii, five and three-quarters inches long, found from New York to Labrador.

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The LONG-TAILED SWAMP-SPARROW, A. rostratus of Cassin, is six inches long; dull brown above, beneath dull white; found in California.

Genus SPIZA: Spiza.-This includes the INDIGO-BIRD, S. cyanea, five and a half inches long; blue, with greenish tints; one of our most beautiful summer visitors; feeds on caterpillars, worms, grasshoppers, and seeds; the nest is usually on a low bush; the eggs four to five, white. It breeds in the United States; returns to Mexico and South America in winter.

Other species are the PAINTED BUNTING, S. ciris, five inches long; colors purplish-blue and yellowish-green; found in the Southern States, and the LAZULI FINCH, S. amana, five and a half inches long; blue above and white beneath; found on the Columbia River.

THE EMBERIZINÆ OR BUNTINGS.

These have a conical, acute bill; wings of moderate size; the hind toe larger than the inner one, and the claws slender. They are generally distributed in both hemispheres; feed more on the ground than the Fringillinæ, and build their nests in low bushes or tufts of grass. Like the finches, they collect in large flocks in the winter, and frequent the open fields. Their food consists of seeds and insects.

Genus EMBERIZA: Emberiza.-This includes the ORTOLAN or GREEN-HEADED BUNTINGBruant Ortolan of the French-E. hortulana, six and a quarter inches long; reddish-brown above; beneath reddish-buff; frequents light sandy soils; builds on the ground, and lays five to six eggs. It is migratory, and breeds in the north of Europe; in moving southward, about August, great numbers are taken in England, France, Germany, &c., in nets, and fattened for the table, they being esteemed a great luxury. To hasten this process, they are shut up in a room artificially lighted, so as to offer no distinction between night and day, and fed with oats, millet, and bread, mixed with spice. Booth says: "These birds are fed up till they become lumps of fat of three ounces in weight, some of which are potted or otherwise preserved, and exported to other countries." The ortolan is kept in cages on account of its handsome appearance and pleasing

song.

The YELLOW HAMMER of Europe-properly Yellow Ammer, the latter word signifying bunting in the German-E. citrinella, is a handsome bird, seven inches long; head, neck, and cheeks lemon-yellow; back and wings reddish-brown, tinged with yellow; under surface of the body bright lemon-yellow; common throughout Europe, from the Mediterranean to Norway; in Eng

land it unites in winter with flocks of chaffinches and green-finches, and feeds on grain-seeds and insects. It is a pleasing singer, though its notes are few and repeated five or six times in quick succession. In Italy great quantities are caught, with the ortolan bunting, for the table.

THE CIRL BUNTING.

The BLACK-HEADED BUNTING or REED-BuntING, E. schoeniculus, is six inches long; above black; beneath white, streaked and clouded with brown; common throughout Europe; a summer visitor to the north.

The CIRL BUNTING, E. cirlus-the Bruant Zizi of the French—is five and a half inches long, with chestnut, black and yellow above, dull yellow beneath; common in the south of Europe; migrates to the north in summer.

Other foreign species of Bunting are as follows: the MOUNTAIN-BUNTING, E. montana, six inches long; ash-colored, spotted with black, above; the breast rusty-red; is a rather rare species; inhabits northern Europe; migrates southwardly in midwinter. The COMMON OF CORN-BUNTING of Europe, E. miliaria, is seven and a half inches long; reddish-gray above; yellowish-white below; inhabits Europe and Northern Asia; is sedentary in Germany. The FOOLISH BUNTING The FOOLISH BUNTING-Bruant Fou of the French-E. cia, is six inches long; brownishred, spotted with black, above; rust-color below; it is fond of solitude, and easily caught in traps, whence its name; inhabits Southern Europe. The SPARROW-BUNTING, E. passerina of Bechstein, is

five inches long; red, olive, and black above; greenish-white, spotted with brown, beneath; a bird of passage, inhabiting the mountains of Europe in summer.

Among the American buntings, some of which pass among us in popular language for sparrows, there are none of particular celebrity. They are all migratory, and feed on seeds, sometimes on insects; they live in pairs, often moving in small flocks.

The BLACK-THROATED BUNTING, E. Americana, is six and a half inches long; back grayishbrown, with longitudinal streaks; beneath yellow and white. In its flight and notes it closely resembles the corn-bunting of Europe; the nest is neatly made of grass, usually beneath a tuft of herbage, and partly imbedded in the soil; the eggs are five or six, dull white, blotched with umber. It is migratory, breeding in summer throughout the United States, but most abundantly at the South.

Townsend's BUNTING, E. Townsendii, is five and a half inches long; bluish-gray, marked with black, above; below grayish-white; migratory; found in Pennsylvania and the Rocky Mountains. The LARK-BUNTING, E. grammaca, is six and a half inches long; light grayish-brown above; below yellowish-white; migratory; found on the upper Missouri and eastern declivities of the Rocky Mountains. The SAVANNAH BUNTING-Fringilla savanna of Wilson-E. savanna, is a very abundant species, resembling the sparrows, and in winter associating with the field-sparrow and bay-winged sparrow. It confines itself principally to the ground, where it runs with great agility, lowering its body as if to evade your view, and when in danger, hiding as closely as a mouse; it seldom takes wing unless much alarmed or suddenly surprised. In winter, however, it comes familiarly and fearlessly about the house and garden, sitting on fences and low buildings. It is five and a half inches long; reddish-brown, spotted, above; lower parts white. Its nest is made on the ground, at the foot of a bush or tuft of grass; the eggs are four to six; there are usually two broods in a season. This bird has a few notes, frequently uttered, but no song; it is common throughout the United States; very abundant in the South in

winter. The CLAY-COLORED BUNTING, E. pallida, is five inches long; light yellowish-brown above; beneath grayish-white; found on the Rocky Mountains. The YELLOW-WINGED BUNTING-the Yellow-winged Sparrow of Wilson-E. passerina, five inches long; light grayishbrown above; beneath yellowish-gray; migratory; found from Texas to New England. HENSLOW'S BUNTING, E. Henslowi, is five inches long; pale brown above; yellowish-gray beneath; found throughout the United States; winters in the Southern States. The FIELD-BUNTING—the Field-Sparrow of Wilson-E. pusilla, is six inches long; above chestnut and blackish-brown; beneath grayish-white; abundant in summer from Texas to Maine. The TREE-SPARROW or CANADA BUNTING, E. Canadensis, is six and a quarter inches long; above brown, bay, and yellow; beneath cream color. This is a northern bird, but migrates to the south in winter; it breeds as far south as Maine. It frequents trees, where it hops and dances and sings, and sweetly too, often mixing with the White-throated Finch. In severe weather it is often seen in the elm-trees of Boston; its migrations are not farther south than Pennsylvania. This bird, which passes for a sparrow, is one of the commonest of its genus in New England. The BLACK-THROATED Finch, E. bilineata of Cassin, is five inches long; ashy-brown, with olive, above; under parts white, tinged with ashy and olive; found in Texas and New Mexico.

Genus PLECTROPHANES: Plectrophanes.-These birds are sometimes called Lark-Buntings the most noted species is the LAPLAND SNOW-BUNTING-Lapland Song-Sparrow of Nuttall; Lapland Lark-Bunting of Selby-P. Lapponicus, six and a half inches long; summer plumage, head, chin, and breast black; beneath white: the winter plumage is, upper part of the head black, edged with rufous; neck black, the feathers tipped with white. This is an arctic bird, common to Europe and America; in the depth of winter it moves southward as far as England on the other side of the Atlantic, and as far as Pennsylvania on this. It is often seen in very severe seasons in New England, feeding upon the seeds on exposed pieces of ground, that have been swept clear of snow by the wind. It is found usually in small numbers, sometimes mixed with the roving snow-birds; at other times it visits us in large flocks. It feeds on seeds, berries, grass, leaves, buds, and insects; the nest is placed on the ground; the eggs are five to seven. Sometimes immense flocks of these birds are seen in Central Europe in the fall and winter, mingled with larks.

The WHITE SNOW-BIRD—Sometimes called the White Bird—P. nivalis, is seven and a half inches long; the colors vary in different species; the common colors are brown, striped with black, above;beneath white. It is to be distinguished from the Common Snow-Bird--Struthus hyemalis-though like that it is most abundant in the northern regions of both continents. It usually appears in New England and the Middle States after a severe snow-storm. It has been known in a few cases to breed in Maine and Massachusetts. Its nest is placed on the ground; the eggs four to five; the food grass-seeds, insects, and minute shells.

Other species are the P. pictus, length six inches; found in the northern regions of North America; P. ornatus, found on the prairies of the Platte River; McCown's BUNTING, P. McCownii, six inches long; found in Texas, New Mexico and California; and P. Smithii, six inches long; found in Illinois.

THE ALAUDINE OR LARKS.

This group includes several interesting birds, mostly of the eastern hemisphere. They are peculiarly birds of the fields, meadows, and open places, and are distinguished by their vigilance and their musical powers. They build on the ground, usually produce two broods in a season, are generally birds of passage, and in Europe immense numbers are caught for the table in their migrations.

Genus ALAUDA: Alauda. This includes the SKY-LARK OF FIELD-LARK-Alouette of the French; Lodola of the Italians; Feld-Lerche of the Germans--the most celebrated song-bird of England, and after the nightingale, the most celebrated of Europe, generally. It is seven inches long, the tail being three inches; it is in size about equal to the boblink. The forehead and poll are rusty-yellow, spotted with blackish-brown; when the bird is excited the feathers of the crown erect themselves into a crest. The back is brown, blackish-brown, and gray; the lower parts dingy white. The female, as in most of the passerine birds, is a trifle smaller than the male.