v^ Zoological Society. 



amongst the washerwomen, it has been admitted in Madeiran phraseo- 

 logy into the ranks of the sisterliood, under the title of "Lavandeira." 



The Meadow Pipit is plentifully found on the cliffs and fields near 

 the sea, and on the serras. , 



The Green Canary is the original stock of the bird so well known 

 to us as the Yellow Canary ; it flies about in large flocks, with linnets 

 and other birds, and is easily distinguished by its song, which is the 

 same as that of the captiA-e variety. The price of a good singing ca- 

 nary, either in Madeira or ths Canary islands, varies from five to nine 

 shillings, so that in fact it may be bought much cheaper in London. 

 This bird has been admirably described by Dr. Heineken, in the 

 * Zoological Journal,' No. xvii. Art. xvii. 



The Goldfinch is very common, and diflers in no respect from our 

 own. 



The Ring Sparrow here takes the place, in a way, of our House 

 Sparrow : it is universal ; on the bleak serras, near houses, on the 

 rocks by the sea ; there is no place that it does not frequent. It 

 difi'ers thus in habits, though in nothing else, from the Ring Sparrow 

 of Europe. 



The Chaffinch of Madeira is nearly identical with the bird figured, 

 under the name of " Fr'mgilla Tintillon," in Webb and Berthelot's 

 work on the Canary islands. 



The Greater Redpole is very abundantly met with ; it differs from 

 the English Linnet in retaining its carmine colouring through the year. 



The Lesser Swift is mentioned in Brewster's 'Journal,' by Dr. 

 Heineken, under the title of " Black-chinned Swift." This property 

 is however by no means general amongst the species : I have several 

 in my possession with the chin fully as white as that of the common 

 Swift. One of the chief differences is in size, the ' unicolor' being 

 much the smallest. The tail is forked about an inch and a half, and 

 the plumage is rather darker than that of the common Swift. 



The common Swift is not quite so plentiful as the Lesser Swift. 

 Both species remain in the island throughout the year ; their nests 

 are built in the cliff's ; their habits vary from those of Swifts in En- 

 gland ; here they seem to take the place of the Swallow, hunting and 

 skimming along the ground in a manner that would appear very de- 

 grading to their northern brethren. 



The Ring-dove appears to be rather larger than the English bird ; 

 in other respects it is similar. It lives in the forests on the north 

 side of the island. 



The Long-toed Wood Pigeon has been described by Dr. Heineken, 

 in ' Brewster's Journal,' under the name of " Columba Trocaz ;" it is 

 about an inch longer than the Madeiran Ring-dove ; one of its chief 

 peculiarities, and which seems to have escaped observation, is the great 

 length of its centre toe, being more than an inch longer than that of 

 the Ring-dove ; it has a silvery ring all round its neck ; it is darker in 

 its general plumage than the Ring-dove, and is excellent eating. It 

 inhabits the forests on the north side of the island, feeding upon 

 grasses and the acorns of the laurel-trees. 



The Rock Pigeon inhabits the sea clifi^s, and rocks in the ravines 



