THE MALACCA FINCH. Ill 



2. This variety is thus described in Latnam's Synopsis of 

 Bii-ds. 



The top of the head, upper part of the neck, and lesser wing 

 coverts, light brown, with semicircular black lines ; the cheeks 

 plain brown, but edged at the lower part with bright crimson, 

 below which is a black line ; the breast and belly light brown, 

 occasionally marked with semicircular lines ; the pen-feathers 

 and tail are brown. 



Observations. — Bird-fanciers give to these the name of Indian sparrows 

 though they come from Africa ; their cry is similar to tliat of the common 

 sparrow, and their song not very different. They are fed on canary seeds. 



THE BROWN-CHEEKED FINCH. 



Loxia canora, Linnjecs ; Der braunwangige Kernbeisser, Becbstein 



This bird is the size of the siskin, and four mches in length 

 The beak short, strong, and hom brown. The feet flesh-colour. 

 The cheeks brown, adorned with a j^ellow border from the 

 throat to the back of the ear. The female has no yellow 

 border to the cheeks. 



Observations. — This pretty species comes from Mexico ; its song is soft 

 and clear ; its actions are as lively as they are amusing. It is kept in a 

 cage, and fed on canary seed and millet. 



THE MALACCA FINCH. 



Loxia Malacca, LiNNitus : Le Jacobin, Bijffon : Der Malackische Kernbeisser, 

 Bechstein. 



This bird is the size of the greenfinch, and four inches and 

 a half in length, of which the tail measures one and a half. 

 The beak thick, five lines in length, and bluish grey ; the feet 

 the same colour. The head, neck, a stripe, which extends up 

 the belly to the vent, and the thighs, are black ; the back, wings 

 and tail, pale chestnut. 



The following is mentioned as a variety. 



The Chinese Grosbeak (Brissons Ornithology, III., page 2S5, 

 No. 7), with the head, thn-oat, and front of the neck black, the 

 tipper part of the body red brovm or chestnut, the wings and 

 tail similar to the one above. 



I have seen this bird in a room several times, and have always 



