572 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, VoL XIT, 



Of exotic Fringillidse, Chloris sinica is the most common, except of course- 

 the Canary ; a good many examples of Eophona melanura used to be imported, 

 but they were greatly subject to disease of the feet and have not been very 

 popular. The European Goldfinch (Carduelis elegans) is generally to be • 

 found, but comes in very small numbers ; it does not feel the heat at all, nor 

 does it gasp, as many native species do. Bnll-^nches (Pyrrhula europcea and 

 P. major) may sometimes be had, as may also the Brambling {Fringilla monti- 

 fringilla), the specimens of this bird being imported. A species of Serinus-l' 

 think S. icterus — is not uncommon, American Cardinals (CanZmaWsweVgremanMS 

 and Paroaria cucullatci) have been brought here and have done well, but have 

 not sold very readily. ' 



Family ALAUDiDiE, 

 Larks are popular here as cage-birds, especially the " Chendool" ( Galerita 

 cristata) and the " Agheens " {Mirafra). Melanocoryj^ha Umaculata is also . 

 brought down to Calcutta in numbers at the close of the cold season. 

 while a few specimens of M. mongolica may generally be seen, as it is pretty 

 regularly imported. Another Chinese Lark is often to be noticed, Alauda 

 gulgula, I think— at any rate it differs, like that bird, from A, arvensis in its 

 smaller size, shorter wings and tail, and larger feet. These birds are expen- 

 sive, costing between ten and twenty rupees, although not apparently differ- 

 ent from Indian specimens of A. gulgula, which I have never seen caged. 

 But the custom of wrapping up the cages has limited my knowledge of Larks 

 to a very great extent. 



Family Nectakiniidj!; ; 



Both Arachneclithra asiatica and A. zeylonica may be occasionally seen at 

 the dealers' establishments, but can hardly be expected to thrive. Neverthe- 

 less I have known the latter kept by Europeans for many months, and I de- 

 posited one of the former safely in the London Zoological Gardens in 1897, 

 although it was in poor condition and did not live long. Mr. Rutledge 

 informs me, however, that this species is kept in some places as a song-bird, 

 so that certain natives must understand how to treat it. 



Family Dic^iD^, 

 A few examples of Dicceum cruentatum are occasionally on sale, but these 

 birds though they will eat bananas greedily, are not easy to keep. This is a 

 great pity, as they are not only very pretty, but quite the tamest and most 

 fearless of any small birds 1 know. 



Family Pittid.'E, 

 A few specimens of Pitta hrachyura — hand-reared birds — occasionally come 

 into Mr, Rutledge's hands, but this species is certainly not common in cages. 

 Although not a songster, it makes a very nice pet, owing to its tameness and 

 amusing gestures. 



Family PiciD^, 

 The only Woodpecker caged here, and that but rarely, is the common 

 Brachypternus aurantius, hanei-reared specimens of which get very tame and 



