nonpareil.
THE NONPAREIL.
I am called the Nonpareil because there is no other bird equal to me.
I have many names. Some call me the “Painted Finch” or “Painted Bunting.” Others call me “The Pope,” because I wear a purple hood.
I live in a cage, eat seeds, and am very fond of flies and spiders.
Sometimes they let me out of the cage and I fly about the room and catch flies. I like to catch them while they are flying.
When I am tired I stop and sing. There is a vase of flowers in front of the mirror.
I fly to this vase where I can see myself in the glass. Then I sing as loud as I can. They like to hear me sing.