106 THE GRENADIER 



of the belly, the whole spotted with black in the young birds, 

 but with no spots in the old ones. 



The female is altogether lighter, and has no black on the 

 head, but two dark grey streaks above and under the eyes ; the 

 under part of the body is only reddish grey. 



Observations. — This species is found on the coasts of Africa, in Bengal, 

 and other parts of Asia. It is a very agreeable bird, and though its voice 

 is weak its song is only the more melodious. A male and female put 

 together in a cage seem to be taken up with their mutual affection, always 

 feeding and caressing each other. They are fed on crushed canary and 

 hemp seed, which preserves them in good health for several years. The 

 room in which they are kept must be heated dunng winter. 



THE DOMINICAN. 



Loxia Dominicana, Linn^us ; Lo Paroare, Bufpon ; Der Dominicaner Kem- 

 beisser, Bechstein. 



This bird is about the size of a lark. The upper part of the 

 beak is brown, and the lower light flesh -colour ; the feet are 

 grey ; the front of the head, the throat, and part of the neck 

 red ; the back of the head is blackish, with a slight mixture of 

 white. 



Observations. — This bird comes from Brazil, and possesses nothing 

 attractive but its beauty. Its song is merely an occasional call. In Ger- 

 many it costs three pounds sterling. 



THE GRENADIER. 



Loxia oris, LiNN^ us ; Le Cardinal du Cap de Bonne Esp^rance, Bcjffon; Der 

 Grenadier Kernbeisser, oder Feuervoge/, Bechstein. 



This bird is about the size of a sparrow. The beak is black ; 

 iris chestnut ; feet dark flesh-colour ; forehead, sides of the 

 head, chin, lower part of the breast and belly blackish ; the 

 throat, top of the head and breast, rump, vent, and tail are of a 

 fiery red, or brilliant carmine, and soft, like velvet. 



Varieties. — 1. A black spot on the chin ; thighs red. 



2. Tail dark brown, with a greyish white border. 



In the female the beak is raven black, the upper part of the 

 body dark brown, vv^ith light grey edges to the feathers ; the 



