78 



an even more brilliant colour, and is without the 

 purple cap. Other species which are occasionally 

 seen in confinement are the Black-capped or Lady 

 Lory (Z,. lory), the Red Lory {Eos rubra), and the 

 Blue-breasted Lory {Eos hisirio), 



THE END. 



Zbc Bonpareil 35untin9. 



( Cyajiospiza cirisj. 



By J. A. Swan. 



CARCELY an\^ foreign bird has a more striking 

 diversity of plumage than has the subject of 

 this article. The dominant colours, in the cock, 

 are vivid red, bright violet, and glittering 

 green, interspersed in certain parts with golden 

 yellow. When I add that the bird also has a 

 charmingl}^ solt and sweet song, I think I shall have 

 said sufficient to induce any of our members who 

 have not kept the Nonpareil Bunting, to try and 

 obtain a specimen. 



And this should not be difficult to do, for this 

 is the beginning of the importation season, and every 

 year thousands of these bright plumaged visitors are 

 brought to our shores from the States, finding a ready 

 sale among lovers of foreign birds. But beauty of 

 plumage and sweetness of song are not the only 

 desirable attributes the bird possesses. After being in 

 its owner's possession a short time, it becomes delight- 

 fully tame and confiding, and readily takes fruit 

 and worms from the fingers of whoever is 

 accustomed to feed it. For this bird, while betraying 

 no fear of those it knows, is deeply suspicious of 

 strangers, and the choicest mealworm offered by the 

 fairest hand is not enough to allay this feeling. Is 



