THE FINCHES. 83 



mate, neither do the males assume their perfect dress 

 until the third season. 



Closely allied to the Indigo Bird are the Lazuli 

 Finch and the Painted Finch or Nonpareil. The 

 former abounds in the western territories, from the 

 Arkansas river to the Columbia, but is never seen to 

 the eastward. The males are beautiful birds, and 

 frequently indulge in a pleasing and not unmusical 

 song. Their plumage is of a fine light blue, with a 

 slight tinge of green, except on the breast and sides, 

 which are white, intermingled with fawn. The Non- 

 pareil is one of the most common and familiar birds 

 in the Southern States, particularly in the lower part 

 of Louisiana. In the vicinity of New Orleans they 

 are so abundant in the Spring that almost every 

 orange grove seems alive with them, and they may 

 be seen flying along the roadsides in great numbers. 

 When they first arrive from their winter quarters in 

 Mexico, the males are very pugnacious and quarrel- 

 some, and are almost continually engaged in fighting. 

 This jealous disposition is made use of by the bird- 

 fanciers to catch them alive in their traps, which 

 they do in the following manner : 



"A male bird in full p-lumage is shot and stuffed 

 in a defensive attitude, and perched among some 

 grass-seed, rice, or other food, on the same platform 

 as the trap-cage. This is taken to the fields, or near 

 the orangeries, and placed in so open a situation, that 

 it would be difficult for a living bird of any species 

 to fly over it without observing it. The trap is set. 

 A male Painted Finch passes, perceives it, and dives 



