62 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



The hen is altogether browner than the cock and has the crest 

 brown; it measures 4/5- inches in length. 



Burmeister writes respecting the Pileated Finch: "This attractive 

 bird was not rare in Minas Geraes, at Congonhas and Lagoa, though 

 not common. It lives in forest clearings or high scrub and in the 

 summer unites in pairs: in winter more singly or else in little bands. 

 It feeds on seeds of weeds and from time to time utters a tiny call- 

 note, but never a song. I have not obtained its nest." 



Speaking of this bird at Bahia, Neuwied says: "Here it was not 

 rare, one noticed it on open places overgrown with high grass and 

 many kinds of weeds; also in bushes of various pasture lands." 



Here it lives in pairs, and after the breeding season unites into 

 little companies, hops about on the twigs, utters its short call note and 

 lets a feeble song be heard. 



Males and females appear, at first sight, to resemble one another 

 entirely; then upon closer inspection one notices the elegant bright red 

 crest of the former, especially if it is raised in excitement. This 

 charming bird is found abundantly in the company of other Finches, 

 and the little Grosbeaks. Their food consists of many seeds of plants, 

 on which account they are called Papa-Capim by the Brazilians. They 

 also hop about the shrubs like our Linnets." 



It seems strange, seeing that Neuwied must have had numerous 

 opportunities of observing this species when breeding, that he gives no 

 information respecting its nest or eggs. 



Dr. Russ says that in 1874, Dr. Bodinus received from Geoffrey 

 de St. Hilaire four examples of this previously unimported bird; then 

 in 1877 pairs found their way to the bird-rooms of Dr. Franken, A. 

 F. Wiener, and his own; and several to the Zoological Gardens, of 

 London. 



Disposition similar to that of the Jamaica Finch, "yet more 

 agreeable and gentle. Only utters occasionally a harsh penetrating 

 chirp. With Dr. Franken a pair got as far as eggs, but .not young. 

 Hitherto it has not been bred. Long-lived, active, slippery, dexterously 

 sliding through the scrub, and peaceable." 



I found my hen Pileated Finches considerably more active than 

 the cock Red-crested Finches; but doubtless they were in better health 

 when I received them. When excited they erected the feathers of the 

 crown in the same manner as the cock-birds; only the crest, not 

 being brightly coloured, was less strikingly beautiful; though it gave 

 an all- awake sort of character to its owner, which was rather pleasing. 

 They are lovable, confiding little creatures, always on the look out for 



