THE FINCHES. 
83 
mate, neither do the males assume their perfect dress 
until the third season. 
Closely allied to the Indigo Bird are the Lazuli 
Finch and the Painted Finch or Nonpareil. The 
former abounds in the western territories, from the 
Arkansas river to the Columbia, but is never seen to 
the eastward. The males are beautiful birds, and 
frequently indulge in a pleasing and not unmusical 
song. Their plumage is of a fine light blue, with a 
slight tinge of green, except on the breast and sides, 
which are white, intermingled with fawn. The Non- 
pareil is one of the most common and familiar birds 
in the Southern States, particularly in the lower part 
of Louisiana. In the vicinity of New Orleans they 
are so abundant in the Spring that almost every 
orange grove seems alive with them, and they may 
be seen flying along the roadsides in great numbers. 
When they first arrive from their winter quarters in 
Mexico, the males are very pugnacious and quarrel- 
some, and are almost continually engaged in fighting. 
This jealous disposition is made use of by the bird- 
fanciers to catch them alive in their traps, which 
they do in the following manner : 
“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 difficult for a living bird of any species 
to fly over it without observing it. The trap is set. 
A male Painted Finch passes, perceives it, and dives 
