150 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 23 7 part i 



citizen there. He was neither French nor a planter, but he was 

 interested in birds, and had a collection housed in as fine a structure as 

 any zoological park in the country could boast. There was a care- 

 taker whose sole responsibility was to devote himself to the avian 

 captives. I was assured that the necessary permits were had and, 

 like Wilson, I saw several nonpareils there. 



Audubon (1841) too was impressed by the cage-bu'd traffic: 



* * * no sooner does it [the nonpareil] make its appearance [in Louisiana] tlian 

 trap-cages are set, and a regular business is commenced in the market of that 

 city. The method employed in securing the male Painted Finch is so connected 

 with its pugnacious habits, that I feel inclined to describe it, especially as it is so 

 different from the common way of alluring birds * * *. 



A male bird in full plumage 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 towards the stuffed bird, with all the anger which its little breast can 

 contain. It alights on the edge of the trap for a moment, and throwing its body 

 against the stuffed bird, brings down the trap, and is made a prisoner. In this 

 manner, thousands of these birds are caught every spring. So pertinacious are 

 they in their attacks, that even when the trap has closed upon them, they continue 

 pecking at the feathers of the supposed rival. * * * 



They feed almost immediately after being caught; and if able to support the 

 loss of liberty for a few days, may be kept for several years. I have known some 

 instances of their being kept in confinemient for upwards of ten years. Few 

 vessels leave the port of New Orleans during the summer months, without taking 

 some Painted Finches, and through this means they are transported probably to all 

 parts of Europe. I have seen them offered for sale in London and Paris, with the 

 trifling difference in value on each individual, which converted the sixpence paid 

 for it in New Orleans to three guineas in London. 



Wayne (1910) says: "This species is easily caught in trap-cages in 

 the months of April and May. A decoy bird is placed in a cage and 

 the latter is then placed near some hedge where Nonpareils are present. 

 As soon as a male perceives a bird of his species in the cage, he at once 

 makes for it and is caught. Large numbers used to be taken in this 

 manner. They become tame almost at once, and seem to prefer 

 hemp seed as an article of food when in captivity." 



Earle R. Greene (1946) states: "This beautiful Httle bird has 

 suffered to an alarming degree from trapping and caging, practiced 

 over many years by the Cuban population of the keys. The Cubans 

 love birds, but their admiration expresses itself in wishing to cage 

 them to have them about their homes and dwellings and stores. The 

 waiter found that brealdng up this practice was a delicate and difficult 

 matter, and one that required considerable public education." Prior 

 to Mr. Greene's tenure of office at Key West, the National Audubon 

 Society's representative there, Edward M. Moore, had been worldng 



