230 THE INDIGO BUNTING. 



twice a year; during which process it loses its long tail feathers, 

 and the white of its plumage "becomes dusky. 



Observations. The Dominican Bunting is a native of Africa, 

 and a rarer and more costly bird than the Whidah Bunting. 

 It requires, however, similar treatment. Its song is exceedingly 

 agreeable. 



100. THE SHAFT-TAILED BUNTING. 

 EmberizaReffia, LIN. Veuve a QuatreBrins, BUF. DerKonigsAmmer, BECH. 



Description. This bird, also, is rarer than the Whidah 

 Bunting. It is scarcely so large, measuring to the short fea- 

 thers of the tail only four inches and a half. The beak and 

 feet are red ; the upper part of the body black ; the side of the 

 head, the eyes, the neck, and the lower part of the body, a 

 yellowish red ; the back of the neck spotted with black ; the 

 under side of the thighs and the vent black. The four middle 

 feathers of the tail are from nine to ten inches long, and fea- 

 thered only for two inches from the end, the remaining part 

 being a bare quill. The others are similar in form, and brown 

 and black. 



The female is brown, and has no long tail feathers. The 

 winter plumage of the male is grey, like the Linnet, but some- 

 what brighter in colour. 



Observations. These birds are brought to England, Holland, 

 and Germany, from the coast of Africa. They are as pleasant 

 Cage-birds as the two preceding species, and are also capital 

 songsters. 



101. THE INDIGO BUNTING. 

 Emberiza Cyanea, LIN. Le Ministre, BUF. Der Indigo Ammer, BECH. 



Description. This bird, about the size of a Siskin, is five 

 inches long. The beak is a dark lead colour ; the feet brown. 

 The whole plumage is a beautiful blue, being darkest and 

 brightest on the top of the head. The large pen feathers are 

 brown, with blue edges ; the tail of a lighter tinge of brown. 



The female is very like the Linnet in colour; a remark 

 which, at the period of moulting, applies also to the male, for 

 the blue is characteristic of the perfect plumage. He may, 

 however, be distinguished from his mate by the more brownish 

 grey hue on the sides of his wings. 



