CHRYSOMITRIS ATRATA. 65 



from Brazil to Patagonia. In the Buenos-Ayrean district it probably 

 has a partial migration, as small flocks are seen to arrive in spring ; but 

 further south, in Patagonia, it appears to be strictly resident. In 

 settled districts they are always more abundant than in the woods, and 

 they have a special predilection for poplar groves, and always prefer a 

 poplar to build in. They go in small flocks, seldom more than about a 

 dozen birds together, have a rapid, undulating flight, feed chiefly on the 

 ground like most Finches, and also frequently alight in the seeding-time 

 on plants like the lettuce and Sonchus asper (a common weed) and, 

 clinging to the stem, dexterously pick off the seed, scattering the down 

 about them in a little cloud. They are very tuneful, restless, quick in 

 their motions, apparently always in a light-hearted merry mood. Being 

 much admired for their song, they are often kept in cages ; and cer- 

 tainly, for cheerfulness and constancy in singing, they take the foremost 

 place amongst the Finches ; but there is little expression in the song, 

 which is composed of a variety of short twittering notes, uttered with 

 great rapidity, as the bird sits perched on a twig or undulates from tree 

 to tree. Usually the notes flow in a continuous stream, but occasionally 

 the bird sings in a different manner, making a pause of two or three 

 seconds of silence after every eight or ten short notes. When the female 

 is on the nest the male sometimes perches near her amongst the leaves 

 and sings sotto voce, apparently for her pleasure only, the notes being 

 so low that, at a distance of ten yards, they can scarcely be heard. 



The nest is usually placed between the angle formed by a small 

 branch arid the bole of the tree, and is a deep, well-made structure 

 composed of many materials, and lined with horsehair, down, or 

 feathers. The eggs are five, very small for the bird, pure white, and so 

 frail that it is not easy to take them from the nest without breaking 

 them. 



While engaged in building, the birds constantly utter a low, soft, 

 trilling note ; and when the nest is approached they break out into long, 

 somewhat reedy notes, resembling those of the Canary, expressive of 

 alarm or curiosity. 



88. CHRYSOMITRIS ATRATA (d'Orb. et Lafr.). 

 (HALF-BLACK SISKIN.) 



Carduelis atratus, d'Orb. Voy., Ois. p. 364, t. 48. fig. 2. Chrysomitris atrata, 



Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 490 (Mendoza) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 212. 

 Description. Black ; concealed shoulder- spot, broad band on wing, basal half 

 of tail-feathers, belly, and under tail-coverts bright yellow ; bill and feet horn- 

 colour: whole length 5*4 inches, wing 2*9, tail 1'8. 



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