i8o 



British Cage Birds. 



with brown and greyish white. The hen is smaller than 

 the cock, less robust in appearance, and easily distinguished. 



Song. — The song of the Reed Bunting is short, and some- 

 what shrill, and consists of a few notes, uttered in a slow, 

 deliberate manner ; it is not at all disagreeable, nor is it of 

 such a nature as to call forth admiration or praise. The 

 Reed Bunting is a bird that no one would be likely to keep 

 for singing purposes, as, even when associated with Linnets, 

 and other Finches and Canaries, in an out-of-door aviary, for 

 two or three years together, it never changes its notes or 

 improves in its singing. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — Reed Buntings 

 intended for show purposes should be from two to four 

 years old, as they are then in their most perfect plumage. 

 Select those with the brightest and most vivid colours. 

 The wings and tail must be perfect in form and quantity, 

 the feathers being straight, and in thoroughly good order. 

 Show specimens must likewise be robust in health, lively 

 and active, and in the "pink" of condition. They should 

 be perfectly clean, and steady and tractable whilst being 

 handled by a judge. 



Geneeal Remarks. — As these birds advance in years, they 

 get paler in colour, the head of the male turning reddish 

 brown at the age of five or six years. Reed Buntings rarely, 

 however, reach this age, even under the most favourable 

 conditions, and seldom survive beyond three or four years, 

 and not more than two unless carefully attended to, and 

 supplied with insect food at least once a week during the 

 summer months. They should at all times be fed with a 

 little grass seed, in addition to their other food; and, to 

 keep them in health, it is necessary that a good supply of 

 fresh water should be given daily all the year round, for 

 they delight in bathing. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — The periodical moulting 

 sickness terminates the existence of most of the Buntings, 

 when kept in a limited space, and not supplied with the 

 food natural to them when in a state of freedom. No birds 

 are more difficult to moult in a house than Buntings. They 

 seem at this time to pine and waste away. When at 

 liberty. Reed Buntings doubtless feed largely on aquatic 

 insects and flies, and, for want of these essentials to their 



