THE FINCHES. 97 



The Scotch Fancy is somewhat similar, but has a rather 

 different carriage, the head being higher, while the 

 shoulders do not project. 



These curiously shaped birds are not to be recommended 

 to beginners. 



The Lizard is a small ordinary-shaped bird, with dark 

 plumage spotted with pale, or bright yellow and pale, or 

 bright yellow cap. It is exceedingly pretty, but not very 

 common. The pale specimens are called silver, and the 

 bright ones golden. 



The Himalayan Siskin (Hijpacanthis spinoides) is 

 about the size of a Canary, but has a shorter tail. The 

 face, tail and wings are marked with black and yellow, 

 the back is dark-browji, and the underparts of the body 

 yellow. The hen is less bright than the cock. The 

 young bird is duller still, and has dark streaks on the 

 yellow of the lower plumage. 



This very pretty and lively Finch is found all along 

 the Himalayas and in Manipur, It comes lower down 

 than most Finches, and I have found it in flocks in the 

 station of Darjeeling in March. It breeds late, in July 

 and August, building, like most true Finches, an open 

 nest ; this is made of fine grass, hair, and moss in a branch 

 of a tree. Only three eggs are laid, pale green marked 

 with black. In captivity this bird lives well, and a few 

 may usually be seen for sale in the Calcutta Bird Bazar. 

 I have no doubt that the cock could be successfully paired 

 with the hen Canary, and the mule ought to bo a pretty 

 bird and a nice songster. But most mules with the Canary 

 are bred from the bird next to be noticed. 



F, GAB 7 



