[63] Length 7½; expanse 11½, flexure 3⁹⁄₁₀, tail 2½, rictus ⁶⁄₁₀, tarsus 1¹⁄₁₀, middle toe 1.
In ordinary seasons this well-known bird arrives in vast numbers from the United States, in the month of October, and scattering over the lowland plains, and slopes of the sea-side hills, assembles in the guinea-grass fields, in flocks amounting to five hundred or more. The seed is then ripe, and the black throngs settle down upon it, so densely, that numbers may be killed at a random discharge. To procure the seed, the birds perch on the culm, but as the weight would bear down a single stalk, each grasps several culms in its foot, while it rifles the panicles. At this time, the males are dressed in the sober livery of the females. Early in November they depart for the southern continent, but during their brief stay they are in great request for the table. Dr. Chamberlaine only echoes the general estimation, when he says:—“The Butter-bird is a bonne bouche; it is but a mouthful, but a luscious and delightful one. Their note,” he adds, “during their migration hither, is simply ping, ping, ping:—what it may be in its native woods, I do not know. But wounded birds have been secured and kept in cages, and when placed in the same room with a Canary have soon acquired similar notes, and in time warble with equal strength and melody.” (Jam. Alm. 1840; p. 25.)
When the spring rains have set in, usually in the month of April, they again become our transient guests for a few days, on their northward migration, when the males are conspicuous in their nuptial dress. Other species of grass are now seeding, and the nutritive farinaceous grains of many neglected weeds afford them a supply during their brief sojourn.
Fam.—FRINGILLADÆ.—(The Finches.)
CASHEW-BIRD.[64]
Mountain Bulfinch (Rob.)—Orange-bird.
Tanagra Zena.
| Fringilla Zena, | Linn. |
| Fringilla Bahamensis, | Briss. |
| Tanagra multicolor, | Vieill. |
| Spindalis bilineatus, | Jard. and Selb.—Ill. Orn. n.s. pl. 9. |
[64] Length 7¾ inches, expanse 13, flexure 3⁹⁄₁₀, tail 3¼, rictus ¹³⁄₂₀, tarsus 1, middle toe ¾. Intestinal canal, wide, but only 7 inches long: no cæca. Stomach, a thin, almost membranous sac.
Though not very numerous, this beautiful bird is well-known, being conspicuous from his brilliant colours. He is spread over the country, from the mountains of the interior, to the plains of the coast. Rather social, though perhaps attracted by a common cause, the abundance of food;—we may sometimes see a dozen or more scattered over a large bully-tree, from the twigs of which they hang in all positions, while they pick the berries. Its flight is rapid, and performed in long undulations: during flight, a low sibilant note is uttered; but it is usually a silent bird.