THE ANGOLA FINCH. 305 



somewhat bent at the front, and flesh-coloured. The iris is 

 chestnut-coloured; the feet grey; the front of the head to the 

 eye, as well as the throat, deep red ; the top of the head, the 

 upper part of the neck, and the back are yellowish green ; the 

 wing-coverts and the hindmost quill feathers are green, edged 

 with red ; the large quill feathers dark brown, bordered with 

 a delicate yellowish green ; the breast olive green, inclining to 

 white on the belly. The whole lower part of the body is 

 covered with long dark brown spots ; the rump and tail red, 

 the latter being ashen grey on the under side. 



The female has a bright yellow beak ; the top of the head 

 and neck are ash-coloured ; the small wing-coverts and the rump 

 yellowish green ; the tail brown," with a pale red border. In 

 other respects it is like the male. 



Observations. This bird is a native of Brazil. The male 

 is attractive, on account both of his song and beautiful plumage. 

 It is kept in a cage, and fed with canary and rape seed, on 

 which diet it may be preserved in health for many years. 



125. THE ANGOLA FINCH. 



Fringilla Angolensis, LIN. La Vengoline, Bur. Der Angolische 

 Hdnfiing oder Fink, BECH. 



This bird resembles our common Linnet in form and habits. 

 It is four inches and a half long, of which the tail, which is 

 somewhat forked, measures one inch and three quarters. The 

 beak is short, rather round, blunt, and a dirty flesh-colour. 

 The feet are flesh-coloured. Round the beak, as far as the 

 eyes and throat, it is black ; round the eyes and at the side of 

 the throat spotted with white. The upper part of the head 

 and neck, the back, and the small wing-coverts, are a brown 

 ash colour, every feather having on it a dark brown, egg- 

 shaped spot, which is also found on the side of the neck. 

 The under part of the body is orange, brightest on the breast, 

 and growing darker towards the vent; the rump dark yellow; 

 the larger wing-coverts and the quill feathers dark brown, 

 with a yellow edge ; the tail dark brown, with a rusty grey 

 border and tip. 



Observations. This bird is a native of Angola. It has a 

 flute-like song, resembling that of our Linnet, but more melo- 

 dious. It is fed with canary and rape seed. The young birds 

 have the same plumage as the females. 



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