The Finch Family. 33 



THE ALARIO FiNCH, Fringilla alario, classed among 

 the Sparrows in the Zoological List, has bred mules 

 with the canary, as well as reproduced its own species 

 in captivity. It is not a handsome bird, being dis- 

 figured by a black face (whence the German name of 

 Masked Finch) ; the rest of the body is brown and 

 white the latter colour on the lower, and the former 

 on the upper parts of the body. The female is 

 greyish-brown above, and whitish-grey on the under- 

 surface. 



THE RUDDY FiNCH, Carpodacus erythrinus, is a 

 native of Siberia, and is a very desirable addition to 

 the aviary. It will pair and breed freely with its own 

 species or with other members of the Finch family. 



THE BLOOD-STAINED FINCH, Carpodacus hasmor- 

 rhous, which is also called the Purple Finch, Frin- 

 grilla pur pur ea (Audubon), is a native of Mexico, 

 and a very good aviary bird. It has produced mules 

 with a canary in the aviary of a gentleman at Lewes, 

 who is an adept in the art of obtaining hybrids of 

 all kinds. 



THE TOTTA FINCH, Loxia or Fringilla totta, is 

 another nice little bird, bearing a general family like- 

 ness to the foregoing, but distinguishable by its 

 blackish-brown tail. One was exhibited some time 

 ago, and took a prize at a leading show, as a Bull- 

 finch Siskin mule ! Needless to say, it is a perfectly 

 distinct species, and not a cross of any sort, and is 

 common about the Cape. In size it is rather larger 

 than a Siskin, and is susceptible of being made very 

 tame, but is less noticeable for its musical accom- 

 plishments than some of its congeners. 



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