Birds of G rem Can aria. 03 5 



It uas not until 1905^, -wlien Herr Polatzek by cliancc 

 procnred examples in the Pinar of Gran Canaria, that a 

 Blue Chaffineh Avas known to inhabit this island. Until 

 then the fact seems to have escaped the notice of all other 

 naturalists who have travelled in Gran Canaria. The 

 specimens which Herr Polatzek obtained were sent to 

 Dr. Hartert at Tring jNIuseum, who pronounced the bird 

 to be a new subspecies of the well-known Blue Chafhiich 

 [Frinyilla teydea) of the neighbouring island of Tenerife. 

 As I int(nided visiting the island in 1908, Mr. Ogilvie-Grant 

 asked me to try and procure specimens for the British 

 Museum. On my arrival in the island in December^ with 

 this end in view. I made an expedition over the Cumbres 

 to the Pinar above San Bartolome, only to iind the woods 

 in that direction entirely devoid of bird-life. The fol- 

 lowing year I again spent some time searching in another 

 direction, making Tirajana my headquarters, but again with- 

 out I'esult. In January (1910) I entered the Pinar Pajonal 

 from the south, pitching my camp at the Cueva de las 

 Ninas, and here at last I met with the object of my search, 

 procuring both a male and female examjDle. Having now 

 discovered the region in which the Chaflfinches were to be 

 found, the next year I again crossed the Cumbres, entering 

 tlie Pinar by way of Juneal, a tin}-^ village on the outskirts 

 of the forest. No sooner had I gained the pines than the 

 presence of several Blue Chaffinches became evident to 

 me, and in the course of my ride to my old camping-ground 

 I procured two pairs and saw about a dozen more birds 

 besides. This was in February, and afterwaids I spent 

 many more days encamped in the forest. Although I only 

 obtained one other pair of this Finch, yet I had ample 

 opportunity of gauging their numbers and noting their 

 habits. Several more birds were seen, but I contented 

 myself with the three pairs already obtained. If a certain 

 other collector had done likewise instead of slaying seventy- 

 six examples the previous year, this very beautiful and 

 interesting bird would not now be in danger of extermi- 

 nation, which will undoubtciUy take place if such wholesale 



