54 FRINGILLID.E. 



70. PHRYGILUS FEUTICETI (KittL). 

 (MOURNING FINCH.) 



Phrygilus fruticeti, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 487 (Cordillera of Mendoza) ; 

 Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 31 j Hudson, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 537 (Rio Negro) ; 

 Durnford, Ibis, 1878, p. 393 (Chupat) ; Doring, Exp. al Rio Negro, Zool. 

 p. 39 (R. Colorado, R. Negro). Emberiza luctuosa, Eyd, et Gerv. Mag. 

 de Zool, 1836, Ois. pi. 72. 



Description. Grey, with minute black markings on the head and neck, and 

 broader stripes on the back ; greater coTerts and wings black, the feathers edged 

 with grey, and a band of white spots across the coverts ; tail black ; beneath, 

 throat, and upper part of breast black, many feathers tipped with grey, giving the 

 chest a mottled appearance ; lower part of breast and belly grey, mottled 

 below the chest with a few black spots ; centre of abdomen and under tail- 

 coverts white ; beak yellow ; feet flesh-colour : total length 7'3 inches, wing 4-0, 

 tail 3'2. Female obscure grey and without the black colour on the throat and 

 chest. 



Hab. Peru, Bolivia, Chili, and Argentine Republic. 



This Finch is common on the western slopes of the Andes as far 

 north as Peru ; it is also found in the Mendoza district and throughout 

 Patagonia. It is very abundant on the Rio Negro, especially in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of the Carmen settlements, for, like the Chin- 

 golo and other fringilline species, it is beneficially affected by cultivation. 

 Though not possessing any bright tints, it is a very charming bird, 

 tuneful, elegant in form, graceful and buoyant in its motions. When 

 approached it utters a series of low ticking sounds, and at intervals a 

 peculiar long squealing note. The song of the male is very agreeable, 

 and curiously resembles that of the Cachila Pipit (Anthus correnderd). 

 It usually sits on a twig near the ground, and at intervals soars up to a 

 height of ten or twenty yards, and utters its song while gliding slowly 

 downwards with depressed wings and outspread tail. It sings through- 

 out the year ; in bright weather its notes are heard all day long, but on 

 cold, cloudy, or wet days only after sunset. In the warm season they 

 live in pairs, and in the autumn unite in flocks of as many as two or 

 three hundred individuals, and have a strong undulating flight. 



71. PHRYGILUS CARBONARIUS (d'Orb. et Lafir.). 

 (BLACKISH FINCH.) 



Phrygilus carbonarius, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 487; Doring, Expl al 

 Rio Negro, Zool. p. 38. 



Description. Above grey, with brownish-black stripes ; wings dusky brown ; 



