Indian Birds 



hen, and in the former in the breeding season 

 than at other times of the year. But in both 

 sexes there is always a patch of crimson on the 

 lower rump. In full dress the cock has the 

 whole head, upper plumage, breast, and sides 

 of the body crimson. As, however, the wing 

 feathers are brown, the little birds look brown, 

 and not crimson, during flight. In order to 

 perceive the crimson they must be watched 

 when at rest in the sunlight. 



They are highly gregarious and are found all 

 over India. In Burma this bird is replaced by 

 an allied one (5. flavidiventris), having the 

 abdomen yellowish red instead of black. 

 (Illus. G. B., frontispiece.) 



The Finches, 80-82 



These are seed-eating birds, characterised 

 by a thick, stout bill. The canary and the 

 house sparrow are the most familiar examples 

 of this family. 



80. Carpodacus erythninus : The Common 

 Rose-Finch. (F. 761), (J. 738), ( + 1.) 



Cock : A crimson bird, with brownish-green 

 wings. The crimson is bright on the breast, 

 throat, and rump. There are two yellowish- 

 brown bars on the wing. 

 136 



