THE NONPAREIL. 



"A merry welcome to thee, glittering bird ! 



Lover of summer flowers and sunny things ! 

 A night hath passed since my young buds have heard 



The music of thy rainbow-colored wings, — 

 Wings, that flash sparkles out where'er they quiver, 

 Like sudden sunlight rushing o'er a river." 



The Nonpareil is what his name indicates, — 

 "without an equal ; " being one of the most beautiful 

 cage-birds, and needs only to be seen to be admired. 

 He is called by many authors the " painted finch " 

 or "painted bunting," and is also spoken of by 

 Buffon as "the pope," on account of his beautiful 

 violet hood. I have a beautiful specimen of the 

 bird, which at the present moment has a violet head 



95 



