230 PASSERES. — STURNID^. 



numbers may be killed at a random discharge. To 

 procure the seed, the birds perch on the culm, but 

 as the weight would bear down a single stalk, each 

 grasps several culms in its foot, while it rifles the 

 panicles. At this time, the males are dressed in the 

 sober livery of the females. Early in November 

 they depart for the southern continent, but during 

 their brief stay they are in great request for the 

 table. Dr. Chamberlayne only echoes the general 

 estimation, when he says : — " The Butter-bird is a 

 bonne bouche ; it is but a mouthful, but a luscious 

 and delightful one. Their note," he adds, " during 

 their migration hither, is simply ping, ping, ping : — 

 what it may be in its native woods, I do not know. 

 But wounded birds have been secured and kept in 

 cages, and when placed in the same room with 

 a Canary have soon acquired similar notes, and in 

 time warble with equal strength and melody." (Jam. 

 Aim. 1840 ; p. 25.) 



When the spring rains have set in, usually in the 

 month of April, they again become our transient 

 guests for a few days, on their northward migration, 

 when the males are conspicuous in their nuptial 

 dress. Other species of grass are now seeding, and 

 the nutritive farinaceous grains of many neglected 

 weeds afford them a supply during their brief 

 sojourn. 



