54 ALLEN'S NATURALIST'S LIBRARY. 



from the Canary Islands and the Azores is nothing but a large 

 race of the Serin Finch.* 



Habits. Very much resembling those of a Siskin, but the 

 Serin is of a more lively nature, and its clear and ringing call- 

 note makes it very conspicuous as it sings from the top of a 

 tree, or mounts into the air. " Its note resembles the word 

 zi-zi-zi often repeated, and a flock of birds settled on a tree pro- 

 duces a peculiar buzzing, or almost hissing sound." (Howard 

 Saunders.) 



Eggs. Resemble very closely those of the Linnet, but are 

 smaller, with a bluish white ground-colour, mottled and spotted 

 with reddish brown or pink with darker purplish black spots. 

 Axis, 0*6-0*7 inch; diam., 0*45-0*5. 



THE RED BULLFINCHES. GENUS CARPODACUS. 



CarpodacuS) Kaup., Natiirl. Syst, p. 161 (1829). 



Type, C. erythrinus (Pall.). 



These birds are similar in form to the Canaries, but are 

 somewhat more stoutly built, and have a good deal of crimson 

 or purple in their coloration. 



Only one species has occurred in England, the Scarlet Bull- 

 finch ( C. erythrinus\ which is a North European form occurring 

 throughout Northern Asia. A large number of species inhabit 

 the mountains of Asia, particularly the Himalayas, and at least 

 half-a-dozen are found in North America, some of them ranging 

 into Mexico. 



* Wild Canaries, identical with the resident bird of the Canary Islands, 

 have been frequently caught in England. Some ornithologists consider 

 these birds to have been imported, others believe that they may be occa- 

 sional immigrants to our shores. It seems quite feasible to suppose that 

 escaped Canaries of the orthodox yellow colour would, in a very short 

 space of time, revert to the plumage of the wild stock from which they were 

 derived ; and it is probably birds of this category which have been captured 

 in England, rather than wanderers from the far distant home of the species. 

 Other Canaries, S. canicollis and S, icterus^ have also been captured in 

 England ; but as these are by no means uncommon cage-birds, there is no 

 doubt that the individuals recorded had escaped from captivity. 



