240 
FRINGILLA CIRIS. 
observed several nonpareils, two of which had nests, 
and were then hatching*. 
Were the same attention bestowed on these birds as 
on the canary, I have no doubt but they would breed 
with equal facility, and become equally numerous and 
familiar, while the richness of their plumage might 
compensate for their inferiority of song. Many of them 
have been transported to Europe ; and I think I have 
somewhere read, that in Holland attempts have been 
made to breed them, and with success. When the 
employments of the people of the United States become 
more sedentary, like those of Europe, the innocent and 
agreeable amusement of keeping and rearing birds in 
this manner will become more general than it is at 
present, and their manners better known. And I 
cannot but think, that an intercourse with these little 
innocent w r arblers is favourable to delicacy of feeling, 
and sentiments of humanity ; for I have observed the 
rudest and most savage softened into benevolence while 
contemplating the interesting manners of these inoffen- 
sive little creatures. 
Six of these birds, which I brought with me from 
New Orleans by sea, soon became reconciled to the 
cage. In good weather, the males sung with great 
sprightliness, though they had been caught only a few 
days before my departure. They were greedily fond 
of flies, which accompanied us in great numbers during 
the whole voyage ; and many of the passengers amused 
themselves with catching these and giving them to the 
nonpareils ; till, at length, the birds became so well 
acquainted with this amusement, that as soon as they 
perceived any of the people attempting to catch flies, 
they assembled at the front of the cage, stretching out 
their heads through the wires with eager expectation, 
evidently much interested in the issue of their efforts. 
These birds arrive in Louisiana, from the south, 
about the middle of April, and begin to build early in 
May. In Savannah, according to Mr Abbot, they 
arrive about the 20th of April. Their nests are usually 
fixed in orange hedges, or on the lower branches of 
