217 



THE INDIGO BUNTING 



(Cvditospiza cyanea) . 



Of the niaiiy birds imported into this country few, if 

 indeed any, havegreater claims to be considered desirable 

 inmates of our aviaries than the Indigo Bunting. Charm- 

 ing alike in colors, in manner, in figure, and in song, it 

 is small wonder that our little blue friend has gained for 

 himself a deep affection in the lieaits of those who have 

 been fortunate enough to possess him. Who so bright 

 and happy as he in the summer months, when, daintily 

 clothed in light and dark blue, he sits on a favourite 

 perch and gaily carols forth one of the sweetest little 

 songs that issue out of birdy throats. Ah ! little blue 

 bird, I miss that pretty song you used to sing me. In the 

 early morning your soft low notes were often drowned 

 by the louder and harsher voices of your companions ; 

 but in the afternoon, when they were taking a siesta, 

 from out of the stillness, two plaintive little notes would 

 swell, and rippling on, like the silvery jingle of a tin}- 

 brook 



" You held enthialled the human heart. 

 And led the mind to far away." 

 No other's song reminded me so strongly of the woods 

 and fields. And now, as I write, there breaks in on ni}'- 

 reflections the shrill discordant cries of some Weavers. 

 W^hat a difference ! 



The Indigo Buntings are sent to us from the 

 United States, arriving about April and May of each 

 year. They are brought over in small German canary 

 cages — each cage generally containing one bird. I used 

 to wonder at this, until a dealer told me that German 

 Canaries are taken over to the States, and when sold the 

 empty cages are filled with Indigos and Nonpareils 

 (sometimes one of each being put into the same cage — 

 this depends on the quantity of birds awaiting shipment, 

 and the number of cages available) — and brought back to 

 Europe, The Indigo Birds, as they are generally called, 

 are caught just before the summer change in plumage is 



