The Ctrl Bunting. 



175 



Oirl Buntings soon become domesticated, and, in the course 

 of a few weeks, appear quite reconciled to the cage or 

 aviary. If kept in a cage, one of the form of the Drawing- 

 room Cage, described and illustrated on pp. 30 and 31, is as 

 good as can be had. 



Rearing the Young. — The young can be reared on the 

 same food as that recommended for the Hedge Sparrow, and 

 should be treated in all respects the same. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The hen is 

 more sombre in hue than the male bird, and the colours 

 are much paler. The head and neck of a hen is palish 

 green, profusely marked with black ; the back greenish 

 brown ; the rump feathers mixed with black ; the tail is 

 greyish black; a band of yellow passes above and below the 

 eye, separated by a black stripe, which terminates in a black 

 line bordering the cheeks ; the breast is palish green, the 

 sides brownish green, and the throat blackish brown. There 

 is a straw-coloured or pale yellow spot between the neck 

 and breast ; the belly and vent are pale yellow. 



Song. — The song of the Cirl Bunting is not by any 

 means attractive ; it somewhat resembles that of the Yellow 

 Bunting. It is neither loud nor long, but sweet, gentle, and 

 plaintive. The bird does not appear to possess the gift of 

 improving it, and may, therefore, be regarded merely as 

 an aviary specimen for the sake of having variety. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — For a show bird, 

 choose an adult male, one bright and clear in the various 

 colours of its plumage, close and compact in its body 

 feathering, and with no broken or cramped feathers in the 

 wings or tail. It should be tame and steady when being 

 viewed, and, withal, scrupulously clean, in good health and 

 condition, and lively and spruce in all its movements. 



General Remarks. — Cirl Buntings may be obtained from 

 birdcatchers, in the autumn, for about 4s. a pair ; but, as 

 before mentioned, they are rather scarce birds. They do 

 not readily breed in confinement, but there is no reason 

 why they should not do so if moulted in a garden aviary, 

 kept by themselves, and furnished with a few small bushes, 

 placed in tubs, and suitable building materials with which 

 to make a nest. They would, of course, need a regular 

 supply of insect food at this time, as they feed their young 



