816 
WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIRDS. 
supplied with this beautiful Sparrow. But no sooner does it 
make its appearance than trap-cages are set, and a regular 
business is commenced in the market of that city. The me- 
thod employed in securing the male Painted Finch is so 
connected with its pugnacious habits, that I feel inclined to 
describe it, especially as it is so different from the common 
mode of alluring birds, that it may afford you, kind reader, 
some amusement. 
"A male bird in full plumage is shot and stuffed in a 
defensive attitude, and perched among some grass seed, rice, 
or other food, on the same platform as the trap-cage. This 
is taken to the fields or near the orangeries, and placed in so 
open a situation that it would be dijfficult for a living bird to 
fly over it without observing it. The trap is set. A male 
Painted Finch passes — perceives it, and dives towards the 
stuffed bird, with all the anger which its little breast can 
contain. It alights on the edge of the trap for a moment, 
and throwing its body against the stuffed bird, brings down 
the trap, and is made prisoner. In this manner thousands 
of these birds are caught every spring. So pertinacious are 
they in their attacks, that even when the trap has closed 
upon them, they continue pecking at the features of the suj)- 
posed rival. The approach of man seems to allay its anger 
in a moment. The live bird is removed to the lower apart- 
ment of the cage, and is thereby made to assist in decoying 
others. 
" They feed almost immediately after being caught ; and if 
able to bear the loss of liberty for a few days, may be kept 
for several years. I have known some instances of their 
being kept in confinement for upwards of ten years. Few 
vessels leave the port of New Orleans, during the summer 
months, without taking some Painted Finches ; and through 
this means they are transported probably to all parts of 
Europe. I have seen them offered for sale in London and 
Paris, with the trifling difference of value on each individual, 
