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By Alexander Wetmore
The bronze nun, or bronze mannikin (Spermestes cucullatus), is a smaller species than
its associates of the same general name, but
has the same chunky form and heavy bill
(Color Plate VII).
From its native home in Africa it has been
taken abundantly into captivity, and though
not a showy bird it is one that is common in
aviaries and cages. Male and female are colored alike, but the young are plain. dull brown.
Curiously enough. this little bird is common as a wild bird in the island of Puerto Rico
in the West Indies. It was introduced and
naturalized there many years ago, possibly
during the time of the slave traders, when
ships were bringing their human freight from
West Africa. I have seen them in the hilly
country of Puerto Rico in flocks of hundreds
that fed on ripening grass seeds on the ground.
When startled they fly up to perch in the
limbs of trees, where as soon as they alight
they sidle along the limbs until they rest in
twos or threes, nestling contentedly close together. Their nests are untidy. domed structures of dried grass stems with ends projecting
all around. The eggs are white.
Originally appeared in the December 1938 issue of the National Geographic Magazine
This Web version COPYRIGHT 2004
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