Dr. Heineken on Fringilla Canaria, §c. 71 
only on the latter) similarly, but very slightly shaded. ° Abdomen, as far 
as the legs, golden-yellow: vent, under tail-coverts, thighs, and sides, 
dirty white, the latter with large longitudinal brown spots. Vertex, oc- 
ciput, cheeks, back, larger wing-coverts, scapulars, and upper tail- 
coverts brown-ash, with a longitudinal brown spot down each feather ; 
indistinct, small, and light-coloured on the head, &c., large, dark, and 
defined on the other parts. Remiges, tertiaries, and tail-feathers brown- 
black, with pale brown-ash edges: the external margin of the first four 
or five remiges white, of the rest pale greenish-yellow. Length 5}, 
breadth 9 inches. Bill about 4 lines. Weight about 40z. Tail (which 
is forked) 2 inches 4 lines. Tarsus about 8 lines. 
Adult female.—General plumage more dingy and indistinct ; rump 
only greenish-yellow, with a tinge of the same round the eyes, and on 
the throat, breast, and wing-coverts. 
Variety $ (¢?) General plumage more grey ; colouring more in- 
clining to green: somewhat larger; song the same, Its produce with 
the tame bird stronger. 
Young male.—Like the female, but with the legs brown-black, and 
the lower mandible darker. 
Young female.—No yellowish or greenish colouring. 
Habitat. Universal.* It builds in thick bushy high shrubs and trees, 
with roots, moss, feathers, hair, &c.; pairs in February; lays from 4 
to 6 pale blue eggs, and hatches five times (not unfrequently six) in a 
season. It is very familiar, haunting and breeding in gardens about the 
city. It is a delightful songster, with, beyond doubt, much of the night- 
ingale’s and sky-lark’s, but none of the wood-lark’s song, although three or 
four sky-larks in confinement in Funchal are the only examples of any 
of these three birds in the island, and notwithstanding the general opi- 
nion, that such notes are the result of education in the Canary: it is in 
full song about nine months in the year. I have heard one sing on the 
wing and passing from one tree to another at some distance, and am told 
* Wherever this is stated, I wish it to be understood as applying to the south 
side of the island only, although in most instances (I believe in this) it might 
be extended to the north. Of the latter, in consequence of ill health, I know 
little or nothing from personal observation, 
