66 PAINTED BUNTING, OR NONPAREIL. 



called the Blue Linnet, though in every way a 

 distinct species from the true American Lin- 

 net or Purple Finch, (^ringilla Purpurea.) 

 During the spring season they may be given 

 occasionally insects, and they are particularly 

 fond of the leaves or tops of the common 

 garden beet. We have frequently seen them 

 at our Nursery Garden, feeding on the latter 

 in company with the Yellow Bird or Ameri- 

 can Goldfinch. They are frequently sold in 

 our markets, in the months of May and June. 

 A very social and delightful songster. 



PAINTED BUNTING, OR NONPAREIL. 



{Fringilla Ctris.) 



This brilliant and interesting bird, is known 

 more fully in the Southern States, never 

 visiting farther north than Carolina. It is 

 usually styled by the French inhabitants of 

 Louisiana, le Pape, and every where else as 

 the Nonpareil, a name in every way worthy 

 of so much beauty. They may be reared in 

 confinement on the same seed as the Indigo 

 Bird, with the exception of unhuUed rice of 

 which they are very fond. We would recom- 

 mend it being placed in water for half an 

 hour or so, and partially dried before given 

 to them. Ripe figs may be given to them 

 occasionally ; they are very fond of them, 

 picking from them the ripe seeds, which they 

 seem to take considerable interest in devour- 

 ing. 



