Some Oolony Birds. 275 
escaping through the spout. Then he pulls himself together and sings his real 
song which is a very different thing. It is a thin, sweet song ending in a trill and 
not unlike that of our English robin; but not so pathetic. 
It is a very good-tempered bird making friends with others who may share 
the same cage. The one I have has an- inordinate desire of being caressed, and 
it is amusing to watch him sidle up to another bird and hold down his head to 
be gently pecked ; at the same time be keeps his beak slightly open as if to 
say: ‘Scratch my head, but take care you don’t hurt me or I shall peck. ” 
When the cock cashew sacki, as I have mentioned above, flew about the cage 
uttering cries of indignation, the corn-bird followed him about, and when he 
rested, would sidle up to him, feet apart and head down, and feathers muffled 
in an absurd manner and one could imagine him saying: “ It’s all right, old 
fellow! What’s the use of making afuss? Just scratch my head and be 
friendly!” So I say that every aviary should have a few corn-birds. 
When staying in New Amsterdam awhile ago, I caught six of these birds, 
all cocks, outside my window. They seem to take captivity in a most philoso- 
phical manner and make no mad attempts to escape. I kept the first and let 
the others free. This bird actually began to warble on the very first day of 
his capture and was very soon in full song. I have never handled a hen and 
one can never really know a bird without doing so. This bird is bold in the 
hand and picks vigorously at one’s fingers. 
THe AMERICAN REDBREAST. 
Of very different temper and degree of intelligence is the next of this genus 
T acquired, the American red breast or robin, as it is called (Leistes Guianensis). 
It has no affinity to the English bird of that name. Its flaming red breast— 
the colour of Tommy Atkin’s scarlet tunic—however, fully justifies its first 
title ; the second might well be dropped. There are also patches of red on the 
shoulders of the wings. The colour of the rest of the bird is dull black, the 
feathers being slightly edged with light brown which give it the appearance, 
when close at hand,of being clad in scales. This full breast of flaring red, set- 
off as it is by the black of the rest of the bird, makes it a beautiful and conspicu- 
ous object in flight. But in compensation Nature has given it but little 
intelligence, and the only reason for keeping it in an aviary is the colour it 
lends to the whole ; for its breast in the light is like a ruby lamp, delightful to 
the eyes. Like the lark in England it lives in the fields, though unlike that 
bird, perches on shrubs and the low branches of trees. But it is an ungainly 
bird ona perch and often, at least when in a cage, tumbles off. 
At certain seasons whole flocks of these birds congregate together ; but I 
am unable to say whether there is any migration. It has a curious note, some- 
thinglike a yellow hammar, or like the noise of the brass reel of a fisherman when 
the line is rapidly spun out. It has a curious habit of rising into the air and 
then, half closing its wings, shooting down like an arrow as it utters its wierd 
ery. Itstail is short and stiff and it has a way of spreading it out fan-wise, 
and then whisking it in a business-like manner from side to side. When pur- 
