on the Birds of Chili. 19 



and southern provinces fairly beats it. It is a resident, I 

 think, everywhere. 



I do not exactly know its northern limit, but, so far as t 

 could ascertain, it stretches up to the commencement of the 

 desert portion of Chili, occurring up to the base of the Andes 

 as far as cultivation extends. In the south it is equally 

 numerous, occurring all through Chiloe, and probably in the 

 southern archipelagos and on the mainland to the Straits, 

 at least as far as cultivation is carried on, for it does not 

 appear to find sustenance in the natural forest. It is not so 

 plentiful on the coast as further inland. 



It is called by the Chilians " Diuca.^' 



The sexes are of about the same size, and alike, though as 

 a rule the female is not quite so handsome as the male. They 

 prefer civilization, and are invariably found about homesteads 

 or tillage. In the cold season they may often be seen feeding 

 on the ground in large flocks ; they separate on being dis- 

 turbed. They feed on various seeds, especially grass seeds, 

 also berries, &c. About Santiago they nest from the end of 

 September to Christmas, varying further south according to 

 climate. At Valdivia the season is five or six weeks later 

 than as stated above. As soon as the time of year comes on 

 they display a good deal of energy, and, like most Finches, 

 are very active in their nesting operations, and vociferous as 

 well. The nest is sometimes completed in three days or less, 

 according to circumstances, and if the birds are not unsettled 

 or disturbed. 



The nest is placed from 3 to 8 feet from the ground, and 

 as a rule well concealed in a thick bush or branch. 



The eggs are laid to the number of three, being usually 

 completed within two days from the laying of the first egg. 



I found some nests with four eggs, but this is unusual, 

 and sometimes I found birds sitting on two or even one e^^. 



Incubation lasts two and a half weeks or more, both birds 

 assisting. 



The young are fed in the usual Fringilline manner, on the 

 pulp from the crops of the parent birds. They attain their 

 full size in about a mouth. 



p '.) 



