412 Canaries amd Cage-Birds. 



OLIVE FINCH {Phonifara oUvacca), Jamaica. 

 Fi ingilla lepida (Russ), Emlerisa olhiacca, Emberizi dominicmsis, Passenna lepiJa, Passerina oHva ra, Spcrmophila olivacea, Eiutkia 

 lepiJa. English dealers' name — Olive Cuba Finch. German name — " Grossere Kubafink." French name — "Grand 

 Chanteur de Cuba." 



The Olive Finch is also found in Cuba, and although called larger, he is very similar in size to 

 his cousin, the Melodious Cuba Finch. This bird is not as often met with as the former, and then 

 frequently mistaken for and sold as the female of the Melodious Finch, although it is easy to 

 distinguish the two species. The Olive Finch has not the yellow collar which marks the last-named 

 bird, but only a very small yellow mark from the eye downwards, and a minute patch of yellow 

 where the upper throat meets the lower mandible. These yellow markings are bordered by broader 

 bands of black, and the rest of the bird is olive-green, the lowe/ part more greyish-green. The 

 female is similar, but the yellow marks are pale and faint. Habits and food of the Olive Finch are 

 the same as those of the Melodious Finch. 



CARDINALS. 



We next come to a group of well-known birds of brilliant plumage and some pretensions as 

 songsters, viz., the " Cardinals." True Finches they are, but considerably larger than any Finches 

 thus far described, for they are about the size of a European Grosbeak. All are natives of 

 South America, and prove very hardy, easily kept, and easily bred cage-birds. Seeds, with 

 the addition of a little animal or soft food, will maintain them for many years, and if they are 

 kept singly or in pairs, they are sure to please by their song and by their enduring beauty. 

 But let me warn the reader always to keep Cardinals singly or in pairs, and never with birds 

 of their own kind, or with smaller Finches. Peace and happiness there may be for a time in 

 an aviary containing Cardinals, but some day during the Cardinal's breeding season a smaller 

 bird will be found minus legs or eyes or brain ; or the owner of the aviary may watch how some 

 unlucky little bird is mercilessly driven about until he falls down exhausted, or with fractured 

 skull, or frightened to death. 



RED-CRESTED CARDINAL (Parojiria aicullata), South America. (Illustrated.) 

 Coccothratisles cucullatus (Russ), Loxia atcullata, Fringilla cncuUa'.a, Spiza cuciUhita, Calyirophorus cucullatus, Cardin ilis ciicullatiis. 

 English dealers' name — Red-crested Cardinal. German name — " Gehaubter grauer Kardinal." French name — " Cardinal 

 huppe," or " Paroare huppe." 



The Red-crested Cardinal is the Cardinal par excellence, and is meant when dealers speak of 

 Cardinals without specifying which kind they refer to. This sleek bird, prettily marked grey, white 

 and black, with his crimson head and crest, is sure to attract the notice of every beholder. His 

 great activity, more than his considerable size, requires a roomy cage, wherein with fair treatment a 

 Cardinal will keep his plumage in perfect condition, entirely indifferent as to the temperature in 

 which he is kept. Some amateurs speak highly of the Red-crested Cardinal's song, which I 

 found composed of rather shrill and loud, short notes ; however, tastes differ. It is not difficult 

 to breed this bird in an aviary, where he will build his nest in a bush, something after the 

 manner of Thrushes. Live ants' eggs are undoubtedly the best food for bringing up the young 

 brood, but too often the parent birds vex their owners by braining their young. The female 

 is exactly like the male bird, in some cases a very little smaller. For food and treatment 

 see above. 



