22 Correspondence. 



Correspondence. 



BLOODSTAINED FINCH— GREENFINCH HYl'.RID. 



Sir, — It niav be interesting^ to record the lireediny in my aviary this 

 season of a hyl)rid between a Mexican Roscfuich or lUood-stained Finch 

 (CarpodacHs mexicanus) and a Greenfinch hen. It may be within your 

 recollection that this cross was obtained by one of our members a few years 

 ago. In that case the sexes of the parents were reversed. I have not 

 heard of any other instance. 



The nest was placed in a Hartz travelling-cage, and only one cf:!;g was 

 hatched out of three laid. Abundance of chickweed was given, and I do 

 not think much, if any, of the soft food offered was taken. The young bird — 

 evidentlv a cock — is a fine, healthy specimen. It is of the same slender 

 " Yorkshire " type as the male parent, and has the same jerkv. nervy, 

 demeanour. 



The general colour-tone is that of the greenfinch, with the heavy 

 streaking of the rosefinch's breast (though less distinct than the Darenl's). 

 The brow, and streak over the eye, which are crimson in the rosefinch, are 

 dull green, and the same remark ajiijlies to the deeo bib and rumn. The 

 pattern of the back of the young bird resembles that of the father, though the 

 colour is rather a brown than the dull purple tinge of the rosefinch. 



Sad to relate, I found a second clutch of five fertile eggs smashed or 

 pierced in the nest by some unknown culprit, when almost due to hatch. This 

 is one of the annoying experiences which most aviarists have exi)erienced. 



The Blood-stained Finch is an old favourite of mine. In igi^ he was 

 the father of a canary hybrid, which was exhibited at the L.C.B.A. show of 

 that year. He is still full of life and energy, and his display in the breeding 

 season is very entertaining. At that period he sings incessantly to his mate, 

 indeed to any lady who takes his fancy ! The song is loud and oierc'ng. 

 commencing with an excited rapid outpouring of a single note — someth'ng 

 like a chaffinch's, but about three times as long and with a different ending. 



Hybrid Dovks : — A pair of hybrids between the Turtle Dove iTnrtur 

 turtiir) and the Barbary Dove (T. risorius) were bred here last ye-ir. These 

 were put in a small enclosure and have had six pairs of eggs this summer. 

 All were clear, however. I believe the eggs of such hybrids have been 

 fertile at times. Perhaps the close relationship of the pair referred to was 

 against success. My object in referrng to them is to mention their curious 

 shift, in the absence of proper nesting materials. A shallow box was fitted 

 up for them, and filled with hay. The box was suitable to their requirements, 

 but not the contents, for, when I examined the first clutch, I found the eggs 

 imbedded in cinders, three or four handfuls of which the birds had carried 

 up from the floor! A bunch of sticks was quickly suijplied, and the subse- 

 quent clutches were laid in a more orthodox nest. 



Inveresk, December, 7th, 1918. M. R. TOMLINSON. 



