22 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



recent classification, the Saffron Finch, if associated iu very small 

 aviaries with Canaries, makes himself unbearable to them, driving them 

 about and pulling out their feathers wholesale ; in a spacious aviary, 

 however, he never molests them ; indeed, excepting when breeding, 

 and then only when interfered with or attacked, he seems tolerably 

 amiable. He should not, however, be associated with Ornamental 

 Finches. 



In 1893, I received a near relative of the Saffron Finch from the 

 Argentine Republic, viz., Sycalis pelzelni. This species is very like 

 the common one, but smaller, its under parts entirely yellow, with 

 blackish streaks on the flanks : the two species have precisely similar 

 habits in the aviary, and the same untiring energy in singing their 

 scroopy, Corn-Bunting-like song. In one respect, indeed, it does not 

 resemble the song of that most unmusical performer, for it seems to 

 have no full stop in it, but goes on until the vocalist is weary, and starts 

 again as soon as he has rested. 



This song is thus graphically described by Mr. W. H. Hudson, 

 in Sclater and Hudson's Argentine Ornithology, p. 66 : " After a 

 hurried prelude of sharp chirps and trills, he pours out a continuous 

 stream of sound, composed of innumerable brief notes, high and shrill 

 as those of a bat, wounding the ear with their excessive sharpness, 

 and emitted so rapidly that the whole song is more like that of a 

 cicada than of a bird. The piercing torrent of sound is broken at 

 intervals by a low, grave note, or half-a-dozen sharp rapid notes in a 

 lower key, which come as an agreeable relief." 



Canary-seed, white millet, millet in the ear, fresh groundsel, and 

 insects, are suitable food for Saffron Finches in captivity ; when 

 breeding, a mixture of Abrahams' food with mashed potato and bread- 

 crumbs will be gratefully accepted. In the winter green food should 

 not be given, as it is then often frost-bitten and half decayed, though 

 lettuce or rape seedlings, grown in boxes in a greenhouse, would not be 

 injurious. 



I think it is a pity that Sclater and Hudson have adopted the local 

 name of "Yellow House Sparrow" for 5. pdzelni, because it gives 

 a false idea of the affinities of the species. Hudson evidently does 

 not approve of the name, though he uses it, for he says " The Yellow 

 ' House- Sparrow ' as this species is called, is the town bird of Buenos 

 Ayres, but does not multiply greatly, nor is he familiar with man, 

 like his rough, sooty-plumaged, far-away London relation." 



The following very interesting account of the species from Mr. 

 Hudson's pen is worth quoting here : " In towns they build in walls, 



