Finches. 179 



the same treatment as the Canary, but is much more 

 delicate. 



A rarer Singing Finch, the Fringilla musica, is greyish- 

 brown, darkest on the wings and tail, with the throat 

 and under part of the body white, and pale flesh- 

 coloured beak and legs. It is a charming little bird, 

 smaller than a Linnet, but somewhat like that bird in 

 shape, and having a very sweet melodious song, won- 

 derfully powerful for such a small creature. It is much 

 more gentle and amiable than the green and yellow 

 species, but it is so delicate that it is not very easy to 

 procure now, so many of these birds die when first 

 brought to Europe. From time to time they appear 

 in the bird market and delight all amateurs, but their 

 great delicacy makes the dealers shy of importing 

 them. When once acclimatized, however, they are 

 said to live several years in confinement in rooms of 

 moderate temperature, and even to breed in cages and 

 bird-rooms. 



The ANGOLA FINCH, mentioned by Bechstein as 

 having a flute-like song, very much resembles them in 

 plumage, and there are several other species, both grey 

 and green, some of which sing very sweetly, but they 

 are not often imported into England. 



The pretty little CUBA FINCH (Fringilla canord) is 

 less rare ; it is an olive-green bird, with black cheeks, 

 and a broad yellow collar round the breast : it is no 

 bigger than the little Waxbills ; it builds a very pretty 



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