88 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



habits of this bird in a wild state ; but it is probable that they do not 

 differ greatly from those of the Bluish Finch. 



Two other nearly allied species are kept as cage-birds by the 

 Brazilians and may, from time to time be imported ; viz. : Spermophila 

 hypoleuca which differs from S. albigularis in having no black on the 

 crown of the head, and in the general ashy colour of the wing coverts ; 

 and S. plumbea, which has the chin and entire throat light ashy grey ; a 

 white spot at the base of the cheeks, and the eyelid white. Both are 

 natives of Brazil, the range of 5. plumbea extending into Bolivia. 



Respecting 5. hypoleuca Mr. W. A. Forbes says : " This species 

 of Spermophila is common and widely distributed, frequenting grassy 

 or open places, and often coming into gardens. It appears to feed 

 mainly on grass-seeds and is social in its habits." Burmeister says that 

 5. hypoleuca is "abundant on the uncultivated grassy plains (Camposgebiet ; 

 literally, district of Campos) of the Interior of Brazil in small companies 

 and is much kept in cages on account of its delightful voice (stimme). 

 The Mineiros called the bird Bico vermellw" Vermilion beak is rather 

 a flattering title for a bird in which the beak is "reddish grey-brown" 

 according to Neuwied, and " fleshy red " according to Forbes. 



Of 5. plumbea Mr. Forbes says, that it is greatly esteemed by the 

 Brazilians as a cage-bird. They call it " Patativa de Parahyba " (Those 

 caught at that place being supposed to be particularly excellent songsters) 

 and often pay considerable prices for good singers. The song is loud 

 for the size of the bird and rather pretty, though monotonous.'' 



Burmeister says much the same thing: "It has a pleasant 

 melodious voice and the Mineiros call it Batetivo" 



Dr. Russ tells vis that 5. albigularis has been bred by Dr. Franken 

 in Baden-Baden ; and Harres, the Architect, in Darmstadt. He describes 

 the song as monotonous, but euphonious ; both sexes utter sparrow-like 

 chirrups. 



" Peaceable in the bird-room. Dr. Franken's pair built a very 

 loose nest of agave-fibres. Mr. Harres' hen took possession of an 

 incomplete, still open, Napoleon- Weaver's nest situated in a thick tangle 

 of twigs, and thoroughly lined it with wadding. Egg greenish blue, 

 brown-speckled (Dr. F.). Young plumage almost like that of the adult 

 female, clearer and paler. Head, ear-coverts and back dusty mouse 

 grey ; a similarly coloured streak across the breast ; throat, belly and 

 body below white ; feet grey ; beak horn brown ; eyes black ; feathering 

 soft and downy. The hen alone incubates. Duration of incubation 

 twelve days ; the young remain in the nest eleven to thirteen days after 

 hatching." 



