THE REED BIRD. 201 



tlie singular change that takes place in the plumage of the male, 

 which begins to change in June, and by the close of the follow- 

 ing month has approached so nearly to that of the female that 

 it is very difficult to distinguish one from the other. This cir- 

 cumstance, in connection with the fact that the plumage of all 

 the young Birds also resembles that of the females, has given 

 rise to the vulgar notion that the male Birds never return from 

 the North, but what becomes of them every one of course is 

 unable to conjecture. 



AS A CAGE BIRD. 



The plumage of the Reed Bird is variegated and pretty, and 

 he makes a very contented and happy captive for the Bird 

 Fancier ; soon forgetting his former life of freedom, he resigns 

 himself to his lot, and sings merrily and cheerfully for several 

 months in the year. His notes are agreeable, and capable of 

 much improvement by associating him with the Canary Bird, 

 with which we have been told he will pair. The truth of this 

 we cannot vouch for, however. 



CHANGE OF PLUMAGE, 



We were shown, a few days since, a Reed Bird, the plumage 

 of which was a perfect Canary color ; and if we had not recog- 

 nized the Bird from its general outline, we should have pro- 

 nounced it an overgroivn Canary^ so complete was the change 

 that had taken place in its appearance. 



