THE CAPE CANARY. 27 



common bird throughout the colony, congregating in flocks on the open 

 and ploughed lands, and feeding on grain and seeds of all kinds. It 

 sings very sweetly, and breeds in captivity with the true Canary, the 

 mule birds being very handsome, and, we are told, again producing 

 with either the yellow bird or one of its own species." 



"The nest of the Cape Canary is generally constructed in a low, 

 thick bush, and is of a cup shape, formed of hair, moss, and feathers. 

 The eggs, three to four in number, are white, streaked and spotted at 

 the obtuse end with purplish brown; axis, 9'"; diam. 6J'". Mr. 

 Rickard records it from East London and Port Elizabeth, being most 

 plentiful at the latter place; and Messrs. Butler, Fielden, and Reid 

 record it as common both in winter and summer in Natal, breeding 

 in October and November. 



An example, which Mr. Abrahams gave me, of this species was 

 unfortunately too old to breed with, but it sang industriously a monot- 

 onous but not unpleasant modulated trill, somewhat reminding me of 

 the production of a Hartz Canary. 



Dr. Russ says that the Cape Canary has hitherto (i.e. up to 1887) 

 not been bred in confinement; but that Dr. Franken bred mules 

 between it and the hen of the Yellow-fronted Siskin (St. Helena Seed- 

 eater), and Dr. Frenzel with a Canary hen. He thinks it is to be 

 regretted that this pretty and graceful "Siskin" is hard to obtain 

 (which seems a curious regret to a Londoner, who can generally buy 

 it, if he is willing to pay the required price) ; that mentioned by Russ, 

 "12-15 marks for a pair," seems low enough. The song, he says, is 

 pleasant, Lark-like, and diligently persevered in. 



In confinement, Canary-seed, white millet, spray-millet, and, in the 

 summer time green-food, are suitable for the Cape Canary. If an 

 attempt is made to breed with a pair, a bush of some kind, plenty of 

 soft building materials, and some form of egg-food should be provided. 



In his larger work, Dr. Russ gives, practically, no additional 

 information respecting this species; he again laments its rarity in the 

 market, and tells us that many travellers are unanimous in saying that 

 in the South African colonies this bird is frequently kept in cages as 

 being an admirable singer. 



