Mr. J. C. Melliss on the Birds of St. Helena. 101 



associating- with Crithagra hutyracea, and in all probability 

 breeds with it. It is not so plentiful, but may be seen occa- 

 sionally in flights of a hundred or more when the corn is being 

 reaped. It builds its nest, of roots generally, in the form of a 

 little flat open basket, perched on the tops of the branches ot 

 the furze-bushes. It is often caught by the people and sold to 

 passengers on board ship. It changes its plumage regularly 

 from red to brown every year. This bird has a habit of fre- 

 quenting those parts of the island where the common flag 

 {Antholyza cethiopica) grows ; it will sit perched on the long 

 flower-stalk enjoying the honey, which it sucks through an 

 aperture which it bites at the bottom of each long tubular 

 flower. 



Crithagra canaria (Linn.). True Canary. Hab. Canary 

 Islands. 



Bred in cages. 



Crithagra butyracea {L.) . "Canary." Hab. South Africa. 



Next to the Aberdevat, the most abundant field-bird in the 

 Island, audit is to be regretted that its numbers are diminishing, 

 very probably owing to the trade carried on in them between 

 the natives and shipping. The note of this bird is less shrill 

 and much sweeter than that of the real Canary ; perched on the 

 branch of a tree, it will on a summer's morning sing unceasingly 

 for hours. It associates with the Cardinal and Aberdevat, and 

 is particularly fond of fruit, ripe peaches especially. 



Gracula religiosa (Linn.). " Mynah." Hab. India. 



This bird was introduced in the year 1829, and has not mul- 

 tiplied to any extent ; but a few are still to be found inhabiting 

 the Peepul trees [Ficus tereby'ata) in Jamestown. 



Psittacula pullaria (Linn.). Love-bird. Hab. West Africa. 

 As a cage-bird. 



Psittacus erithacus (Linn.). Grey Parrot. Hab. West Africa. 

 Largely imported from the west coast of Africa, and be- 

 comes domesticated, but does not breed in the Island. 



Palaornis docilis (Vieill.) . Green Parrakeet. Hab. West Africa. 

 Kept as a cage-bird. 



