104 Raymond Cooper — The Hawfinch as a Pet.


but less numerous there. Several nests were found in acacia-bushes

at heights varying from 3 to 6 feet from the ground. They were

light structures of twigs, very similar to those of the European Turtle-

dove. The number of eggs was two in every case, they are white with

very little gloss : average measurements 292 by 23 mm."


The birds from South Arabia have been given the subspecific name

of arabica on account of certain portions of the plumage, which are

pure white in typical roseogrisea, being more or less marked with

dove-grey ; the black collar is also said to be less broad.


Since the domestic Barbary Dove, S. risoria, is derived from the

S. roseogrisea, the question now seems to be, ought not the wild bird to

be included under the former specific name, since it is so much older ?

This was actually done by Erlanger, J. f. 0., p. 123, 1905, pi. vi, though

not in this sense, as unfortunately he applies risoria typically to the

Indian bird, thus making roseogrisea a subspecies of a form with which

it has nothing in common.



THE HAWFINCH AS A PET

By Raymond Cooper


Over a hundred years ago Bechstein wrote about the Hawfinch :

" Only a passionate lover of birds would wish to keep this species."

This libel has been repeated from time to time until now, except for

show purposes, a Hawfinch is rarely kept.


I hope to a certain extent to be able to defend this truly handsome

and delightful bird ; but must, at the commencement, state that I

write entirely of the hand-reared bird. I admit that he is a somewhat

uncertain problem to rear, but a mixture of insect food and Osborne

biscuit will see him through, provided that the utmost care is taken from

the beginning to keep him free from the least draught.


After a Hawfinch has passed his first year, he seems to harden, and

is then a bird of quite sturdy constitution.


A Hawfinch which I have in my possession has quite a genius for

games. He flies on to my shoulder at meal-times and pulls my ear,

looking sideways at any object which takes his interest. He will steal

a salt-spoon, take it into his cage, and behave in the most absurd



