112 



THE SNOW BUNTING. 



regarded it as a male, on account of its song, and because, after 

 moulting, its plumage returned unaltered, not becoming either 

 white on the breast or black at the vent. 



Edwards, who has represented it in his 355th plate, has 

 added a female, which he kept in the same cage, and which 

 was improved by its companion. The upper part of its body- 

 was grey bro^vn, the sides of the head and under part of the 

 body pinkish, or rather blush colour, the wing and tail feathers 

 blackish, the feet flesh -colour. 



The blackness of the wings and tail makes me suspect that 

 this female belongs to another species; its attachment and 

 familiarity prove nothing. We know, in fact, that nearly all 

 granivorous birds hold communion together, and mutually 

 caress each other with the bill. 



Observations. — The Malacca Finch comes from the East Indies : it is 

 very gentle, confiding, and lively. Its voice is strong ; its cry, " tziapp^^"" 

 pronounced in a loud clear tone. Though its song is somewhat nasal and 

 rather noisy, it is not disagreeable. 



Its food, when in confinement, is hemp and canary seed, which I have 

 known preserve it for a long time in good health. 



THE SNOW BUNTING. 



Emberiza nivalis, Linnaeus ; 



L'Ortolan de neige, Buffon; 

 Becmstein. 



Der Schneeamer, 



Naturalists say that the plumage ot this bird differs con- 

 siderably in summer and winter ; though, from analogy with 



