The Snow Bunting. 



185 



General Remarks. — The chief attraction of Snow Buntings 

 is their plumage, for they are not valued on account of 

 their musical capabilities ; neither are they particularly 

 attractive in other respects, for they display very little 

 intelligence, and, consequently, are not capable of being 

 taught amusing tricks, or the songs of other birds. They 

 are mostly kept in large aviaries, by those fanciers who 

 are fond of variety, and who keep together a great many 

 different kinds of birds that will live together in harmony, 

 and partake of the same food. These Buntings, however, 

 must have no artificial heat ; they live and thrive best in 

 the cold. They do not perch, so that, when kept in an 

 aviary, a little rockery should be formed in a quiet corner, 

 to afford them a resting-place ; or even a large stone, covered 

 with soil and moss, or grass. If they are kept in cages, a 

 lark's cage is the most appropriate, with a fresh turf two or 

 three times a week. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — With these Buntings 

 the moult is the most trying period of their existence. They 

 should be liberally supplied with a bath at this time, and 

 a change of diet frequently. Groats, maw seed, and a bread, 

 oatmeal, and cheese compound — made of two parts each of 

 white bread and cheese, to one part oatmeal, made into a 

 thick paste with clean water — suits them best, together with 

 a liberal supply of fresh young lettuce, or other green food. 



These birds are subject to inflammation of the bowels, 

 which may arise from bathing too often. Care should be 

 taken not to allow the bath to remain more than an hour 

 at a time in the aviary, and it should only be given to them 

 on fine, dry days, for nothing is more prejudicial to the 

 health of birds than to permit them to bathe in cold, wet, 

 and inclement weather. 



