1 8 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



probability, my example was not in vigorous health, for at the approach 

 of winter I lost it. A healthy specimen, in full song, would imdoubtedly 

 breed with a Canary, since the allied Purple Finch has produced mules 

 with that Serin. 



On the journey from India, the Scarlet Rose-Finch is fed tipou 

 canary and millet ; and these seeds, with a little fresh green food and 

 a few mealworms, suit it well in confinement ; though they may be 

 improved on, as we shall see. 



Jerdon says of this species, (which he calls " The Common Rose- 

 Finch"): "In March many are taken in fine breeding livery. In the 

 extreme south I have chiefly seen it in bamboo jungle, feeding on the 

 seeds of bamboo on several occasions, and so much is this its habit 

 that the Telugu name signifies ' Bamboo Sparrow.' In other parts of 

 the country it frequents alike groves, gardens, and jungles, feeding on 

 various seeds and grain ; also not unfrequently on flower buds and 

 young leaves.. Adams states that in Cashmere it feeds much on the 

 seeds of a cultivated vetch. Now and then it is seen in large flocks, 

 but in general it associates in small parties. It breeds in Northern 

 Asia. It is frequently caught and caged, and has rather a pleasing 

 song. Blyth says the ' Tuti has a feeble twittering song, but soft and 

 pleasing, being intermediate to that of the Goldfinch, and that of the 

 small Red-pole Linnet, the call-note much resembling that of a Canary- 

 bird.' " 



Latham called this the " Tooty Finch," a modification of the 

 Hindostani name " Tuti," or " Surkhar Tuti." In Nepal, according 

 to Hodgson, it is " Amonga Tuti," and in Silhet, according to Hamilton, 

 " Chota Tuti." 



In a note published by Jerdon, in the Madras Journal, he says : 

 " I have observed it several times in large groves of trees in the 

 northern part of the table-land. It associates in flocks of various 

 numbers, and devours various grains, especially Jowaree, (Andropogon 

 Sorghum, Linn.), and also rice ; and in default of these, various other 

 grains, seeds, and even flower-buds and young leaves of trees. It is 

 occasionally caught and domesticated on account of its song." 



Now, this gives one a clue to the best seeds on which to feed the 

 Scarlet Rose-Finch, namely : white millet and Paddy rice ; to these 

 canary-seed, as already shown, makes a good addition, and I should 

 include oats and sunflower-seeds. Abrahams' food would doubtless be 

 beneficial when it was moulting ; but, unless the bird could be turned 

 loose in a spacious aviary, no soft food of any kind should be regular!}' 

 supplied, as it then tends to produce an excess of fat. 



