173 



THE GREEN GOLDFINCH 



Fringilla Melba, LINN/EUS ; Le Chardonneret vert, BUFFON ; Der griine Stiejlitz, 

 BECHSTEIN. 



THIS bird is exactly of the form of our common goldfinch. 

 Its length is four inches and a half, of which the tail measures 

 one and a half. The beak is half an inch long, and of a carna- 

 tion colour ; the iris is chestnut ; the feet gray ; the front of 

 the head, the back of the eye, and the throat, are of a bright 

 red ; the bridle is ash-colour ; the upper part of the head, the 

 neck, and the back, are yellowish green. 



The female has a light yellow beak, the top of the head and 

 the neck ash-colour ; the little coverts of the wings and rump 

 yellow-green ; the feathers of the tail brown, edged with pale 

 red ; the rest like the male. 



OBSERVATIONS. This species is found in Brazil. The male pleases the 

 ear by his song, as much as the eye by his plumage. It appears that by 

 feeding them simply with rape and canary seed they may be preserved 

 healthy for many years. 



