THE ORNITHOLOGICAL GUIDE. Ill 



we shall extract a very pleasing trait in the character 

 of the Yellow Bunting : — " Some years ago we 

 possessed a Yellow Bunting which we reared 

 from the nest ; it was extremely docile, and showing 

 great aptness in learning whatever we attempted to 

 teach it. It was a lively playful bird even in con- 

 finement, except only when enjoying restricted 

 freedom, it returned to its cage ; then, for a few 

 minutes, it appeared sad and listless, but shortly 

 after resumed its vivacity. When it was permitted 

 to fly through the room, where the cage stood, it 

 would (during breakfast) perch on the sugar basin, 

 nibble at the sugar, and peep into every cup. When 

 any of the females of the family were at work, it 

 delighted to hover about then: fingers, and try to 

 seize the thread, by pulling it away ; if it met with 

 no resistance, it soon ceased from its labors ; or, if 

 it succeeded in carrying off the prize, the pleasure 

 was at an end, for dropping, the thread, it soon 

 returned to the sport with renewed interest, evidently 

 more intent on pastime than on plunder. We often 

 left the open cage outside the window, when the 

 Bunting would hop out of the cage, perch on the 

 top, and, after looking about it for some time with 

 apparent unconcern, instead of availing itself of 

 the liberty thus offered, it would fly back to the 

 room." — p. 224. The author has prefixed to the 

 work an interesting Introduction, in which, though 

 we discover errors not a few, the reflecting reader 

 may glean much that is useful, valuable, and enter- 

 taining. 



