1 26 CASSELI/S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



from them, however, in the inferior elongation of the nail upon the hinder toe, and in the fact that it 

 possesses an upright tuft of feathers at the back of its head. The plumage is thick and matted, in the 

 manner observable in most Buntings, the male and female closely resembling each other in this respect. 

 In both birds the back is of a greenish shade, the shoulders and exterior tail-feathers being bordered 

 with yellow ; the top of the head and throat are black. In the male the lower part of the body and 

 a line over the eyes are yellow, whilst in the female the breast is grey, the belly and rump pale green, 

 and the cheek white, as is a line that passes over the eyes ; the beak is grey, the feet black. Azara 

 gives the measurement of this species as eight inches in length and its breadth twelve inches, the 

 wing four inches, and the tail three and a half inches. 



We are unluckily but little acquainted with the habits of this bird when in its native land. 

 The author just quoted, however, tells us that it chiefly frequents the countries watered by the River 

 La Plata, and the southern portions of Brazil, living, as do its congeners, upon such bushes as are at 

 no great height, keeping for the most part on the ground, and rarely perching upon trees or flying to 

 any distance. During the breeding season the Crested Buntings live in pairs, and at all other times 

 in small parties, which are very frequent visitants to the native gardens and farmyards in search of the 

 seeds and insects upon which they principally subsist. Large numbers are frequently caught and 

 sent to Europe, where they are known under the name of the " Green Cardinal.'' They are often 

 allowed to fly about the gardens in summer, but a warm cage is necessary during winter, as, being 

 tropical birds, they cower together and shiver at the first breath of our autumnal blasts. When caged, 

 they may be reared upon various kinds of bird-seed, finely-chopped meat, ants' eggs, worms, and 

 salad. In disposition they are generally social, and may be safely allowed to consort with other 

 birds, except during the breeding season, when the males are outrageously violent and quarrelsome, 

 fighting and tearing each other until one or both of the combatants are killed or severely wounded, 

 the conqueror continuing to maltreat its victim long after it has been completely hors de combat, 

 despite all the endeavours that may be used to drive it from the spot. A nest described to us 

 was built of the stalks of heather, woven together like a basket, and without any softer lining in its 

 interior. The voice of the Green Cardinal is both powerful and agreeable. 



THE GREY BUNTING. 



The Grey Bunting {Miliaria validd) is one of the largest of its family, the length of the body 

 being seven and a half inches, the breadth across the tail twelve and a quarter inches, the wing four 

 inches, and the tail three inches. The female is not quite so large as her mate. The plumage of this 

 species is extremely simple in its coloration ; the body is a dark grey, the lower portion, as far as the 

 breast, being marked with white or yellowish white, and the sides with brown. The exterior tail- 

 feathers are of uniform grey, the iris dark brown, the beak greenish yellow, and the feet horn colour. 

 The female is exactly like her mate. The young are darker than the old birds, and the spots upon 

 the feathers larger. The Grey Bunting is not only distinguished by the simplicity of its plumage, but 

 by its comparatively large, strong beak, furnished with a protuberance on its roof; its feet are weak 

 and its wings short ; it is likewise remarkable for the shortness of the claw upon the hinder toe. 



The Grey Buntings inhabit the greater part of Europe, either as permanent residents or as birds 

 of passage, appearing in the largest numbers in the more southern portions of the continent : they 

 are likewise met with both in Egypt and the Canary Isles. Fields and pastures are the localities 

 they prefer, and they but rarely make their home in the neighbourhood of forests or in mountain 

 districts. This bird has a clumsy and unwieldy appearance, as a glance at its stout, powerful body, 

 combined with weak legs and short wings, wiii at once show ; indeed, when upon tne ground ii 



