102 FINCHES. 



cooing, as if for his own amusement. This little 

 fellow has a peculiar habit of singing with a bit of 

 twine, or something which he can hold, in his bill. 

 If he can find a piece of cotton, or a stalk of any 

 kind, he will hop about his cage, and sing to his 

 utmost. The spice bird, also known as the " nut- 

 meg " and " cinnamon bird," and described by some 

 authors under the name of "gowry" or "gowry 

 grosbeak." These birds are somewhat larger than 

 the African finches, and are equally entertaining. 

 They are of various colors, but are generally 

 found with the head, neck, throat, and upper part 

 of the body a rich brown, the breast and sides 

 white, wings and tail brown. The male has a 

 peculiar song, which will hardly attract attention, 

 save that the female regards it as pleasing ; for she 

 always places her head close to her mate's while he 

 is singing, and is evidently unwilling to lose a single 

 note. The silverbill, or quaker bird, somewhat 

 resembles the spice bird in shape and size. The 

 male has a pretty warbling song, and he will often 

 dance upon his perch, as if keeping time to his 

 melody. When kept in couples, they become very 

 affectionate, and devote the greater part of their 

 .time to preening and caressing each other. There 

 is also an Indian silverbill ; but they are not as 

 common, though occasionally they can be found. 

 The red-tailed finch is also a pretty bird, having a ver- 

 milion beak. The wings, back, and head are grayish, 

 the breast nearly the same color, dotted with whitish 

 spots ; the under part of the body a pale straw color ; 



