CHAPTER VII. 



I HIS is not exactly a handsome bird, for its figure is 



squat and the disposition of the colours on its 



small person is so abrupt as to give it an appearance 



of stiffness or formality that to many eyes is distasteful. 



It is about the size of an English Redpoll, but has 

 a larger head and a shorter tail; and is very often 

 called by the name of Black- headed Nun, especially 

 by the dealers. Its temperament may be said to be 

 phlegmatic and as usually seen in a small cage it seems 

 decidedly an indolent little creature. 



As the name indicates, the head of this bird is jet 

 black, the feathers very smooth and indued with a 

 velvety lustre; the upper part of the neck and the 

 vent are the same colour, as are also the under tail cov- 

 erts. The rest of the plumage is of a bright chocolate 

 brown. The thick bill has a dark leaden-blue colour, 

 the legs and feet are a pale flesh tint. In outward 



