iv FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



I propose to consider the Fringilloid birds in the following order: 

 Tanagers, True Finches, Buntings, Grosbeaks, Weaving-Finches (in- 

 cluding Waxbills, Grass-Finches and Manuikins), Whydahs, and Weavers. 

 If the work were to be extended I should proceed next to the Icterida 

 and so on to the Starlings. 



The arrangement of the families is based upon that followed in 

 the British Museum Catalogue of Birds, modified in accordance with 

 the views expressed by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe on the first page of 

 volume xin ; but as regards the order of the subfamilies and genera, 

 I have felt bound to make some changes, based upon observations of 

 the habits and actions of the living birds as made in my aviaries, and 

 to avoid doing violence to the views of fanciers generally.* 



The " Mannikins " and " Waxbills " are intermingled in scientific 

 works ; whereas, to the student of living birds, they form two fairly 

 well-marked groups ; the former are, compared with the Waxbills, 

 heavy and clumsy in their actions ; when singing, their necks are 

 stretched upwards to their highest level, the head slightly depressed 

 and the beak opened to its widest extent ; whilst their song, with very 

 few exceptions, is barely audible. On the other hand the Waxbills 

 are light and active, the beak is raised rather than depressed, when 

 singing : and, if dancing accompanies the song, are pointed upwards, 

 the song itself being bright and shrill. It is true that as regards 

 activity and clear vocal utterance, the hybrid Pied Mannikin and the 

 Silver-bills approach the Waxbills ; but in other respects, they are 

 Mannikius pure and simple : the Java Sparrow is also exceptionally 

 musical. 



The Combasou and allies are, by scientists, widely separated from 

 the typical Whydahs ; yet in their chattering song, their habit of 

 scraping in- the sand when feeding, aud their winter plumage, these 

 birds agree closely with the Widow-birds. 



As regards other changes, the Cardinals, in deference to popular 

 feeling, and because of their general similarity, are here kept together ; 

 and as Dr. Sharpe admits that the beak of Cardinalis is Buutihg-like, 

 there can be little harm in the association, if it be granted that 

 without further evidence it shall not be considered a true Bunting.f 

 The Weavers, so called, are also placed in succession ; inasmuch as 

 their violent courtships, pugnacity, harsh voices, and a similarity of 

 winter plumage in most of them, whether strictly belonging to the 

 Ploceime or Viduince, seem to indicate affinity. 



* Of course I am perfectly well aware that the scientific naturalist must follow structure 

 alone in his classification. 



t See notes on the Subfamily Einberizince. 



