The CRESTED BUNTING (_Gubernatrix cristatella_), which we have selected
as well worthy of notice, is a South American species. This beautiful
bird strongly resembles the rest of the family, differing from them,
however, in the inferior elongation of the nail upon the hinder toe, and
in the fact that it possesses an upright tuft of feathers at the back of
its head. The plumage is thick and matted, in the manner observable in
most Buntings, the male and female closely resembling each other in this
respect. In both birds the back is of a greenish shade, the shoulders
and exterior tail-feathers being bordered with yellow; the top of the
head and throat are black. In the male the lower part of the body and a
line over the eyes are yellow, whilst in the female the breast is grey,
the belly and rump pale green, and the cheek white, as is a line that
passes over the eyes; the beak is grey, the feet black. Azara gives the
measurement of this species as eight inches in length and its breadth
twelve inches, the wing four inches, and the tail three and a half inches.
We are unluckily but little acquainted with the habits of this bird
when in its native land. The author just quoted, however, tells us
that it chiefly frequents the countries watered by the River La Plata,
and the southern portions of Brazil, living, as do its congeners, upon
such bushes as are at no great height, keeping for the most part on the
ground, and rarely perching upon trees or flying to any distance. During
the breeding season the Crested Buntings live in pairs, and at all other
times in small parties, which are very frequent visitants to the native
gardens and farmyards in search of the seeds and insects upon which they
principally subsist. Large numbers are frequently caught and sent to
Europe, where they are known under the name of the "Green Cardinal." They
are often allowed to fly about the gardens in summer, but a warm cage is
necessary during winter, as, being tropical birds, they cower together
and shiver at the first breath of our autumnal blasts. When caged, they
may be reared upon various kinds of bird-seed, finely-chopped meat, ants'
eggs, worms, and salad. In disposition they are generally social, and may
be safely allowed to consort with other birds, except during the breeding
season, when the males are outrageously violent and quarrelsome, fighting
and tearing each other until one or both of the combatants are killed or
severely wounded, the conqueror continuing to maltreat its victim long
after it has been completely _hors de combat_, despite all the endeavours
that may be used to drive it from the spot. A nest described to us was
built of the stalks of heather, woven together like a basket, and without
any softer lining in its interior. The voice of the Green Cardinal is
both powerful and agreeable.