164 THE SERIN FINCH. 



They live on seeds and insects like the house sparrow, and make their 

 nests in hollows of trees. In the house they are fed on rape and poppy- 

 seeds ; they also readily eat the first universal paste. They are less prized 

 for their warbling, which is insignificant, than for their beauty or rarity. 



THE SERIN FINCH. 



Fringilla serinus, LINN^DS ; Le Serin vert, ou le Cini, BUFPON ; Der Girlitz, 

 BECHSTEIN. 



THIS bird is smaller than the siskin, its length not exceeding 

 four inches and a quarter, of which the tail measures one inch 

 and a third. The beak is short and thick, brown above and 

 white below ; the iris is dark chestnut. The shanks are six 

 lines high, and are of a flesh colour. The plumage of the 

 male very much resembles that of the grey canary ; the front 

 of the head, the circle round the eyes, a kind of collar, the 

 breast and belly, are pale jonquil-coloured, mixed with a little 

 green; the nape of the neck, the cheeks, the temples, and 

 lesser wing-coverts, are of a canary green, mingled with rust 

 colour and black. 



The spots scattered over the plumage are not isolated, but 

 united to each other by an undulating line ; they are so small 

 on the head, that it is only speckled. 



It is necessary to examine the female very closely to distin- 

 guish it from the siskin, for, with the exception of a reddish 

 grey tint, the colours are the same ; but its beak is shorter, its 

 tail longer, and its shape freer. 



From my latest observations this bird appears to be the same 

 as the citrU finch ; comparing them together in cabinets has 

 confirmed my opinion ; but that which has decided me is the 

 testimony of my friend, Dr. Meyer, of Offenbach, who has 

 often seen and even fed in his house several of these birds. 

 From him I derive the rest of this article, 



HABITATION It is not more than ten years since the serin was observed 



between Frankfort and Offenbach. They arrive every year in large flights, 

 during March, and depart in October ; but there are always some that 

 remain all the winter. Several were taken in January, 1800, when the 

 thermometer was at twenty-one degrees Reaumur, and I myself have seen 

 some near Offenbach at the end of February. They appear to prefer fruit 



