THE NONPAREIL BUNTING. 51 



me that when the cock Nonpareil once acquires its full breeding-dress, it 

 never again assumes the hen plumage. The only change which the cock 

 Nonpareil is liable to in confinement, unless it has plenty of liberty in 

 a large airy and sunny aviary, is that the vermilion of the cheeks, 

 throat, and under parts, gradually, moult by moult, is replaced by 

 yellow ; but the blue of the head and the golden green of the back 

 are never lost. A bird, which was taken from a not too well-lighted 

 indoor aviary and turned outside, became, at his last autumn moult, 

 much brighter in colouring, the yellow having assumed an orange 

 tinge ; but unfortunately he shortly afterwards died.* 



Further on, Dr. Russ makes some observations which are of con- 

 siderable interest ; he says : " Many attempts have recently been made 

 to breed Canary mules with it. In spite of the fact that 110 authenticated 

 instance of the success of such breeding has become known to me, I 

 have not the least doubt of its possibility." 



Some mule breeders, whose faith is limited to their own personal 

 experience, ridicule the bare idea of the possibility of a cross between 

 a typical Finch and a Bunting ; just as they do between a true Finch 

 and the type of the family : but what Dr. Russ and Mr. Wiener 

 positively assert with regard to the Indigo Finch (also a Bunting), 

 clearly proves that such feats in mule breeding, though perhaps requiring 

 more patience and perseverance than the ordinary breeder possesses, are 

 by no means impossible : indeed the crossing of a Waxbill and a Grass 

 Finch would seem to be quite as difficult, so far as actual affinity 

 between the parents goes. There are, however, unfortunately men who 

 not only disbelieve facts, but would not credit their own eyesight, if it 

 contradicted their long-cherished superstitions : they mistake disbelief, 

 which is frequently the offspring of ignorance, for wisdom ; and thereby 

 show the narrowness of their own minds. 



In confinement canary seed, white millet, spray millet, mealworms, 

 cockroaches, or other insect food, and fresh chickweed, when obtainable, 

 form suitable food for the Nonpareil; but too many mealworms should 

 not be given, as they tend to make the bird too fat; one or two a day, 

 when other insect food cannot be procured, are sufficient to keep it in 

 health ; moreover, as soon as caterpillars can be substituted, they should 

 be given in preference: those of the Cabbage Moth, or Dot Moth, 

 being as good as any: hair}' caterpillars are of no use, excepting to 

 feed members of the Thrush family and Cuckoos, as most insectivorous 

 birds will not touch them. 



* Since writing the above I have acquired two others. 



