Spermophilm. 415 



or after the manner of Thrushes and Blackbirds in a bush, and rear his brood with very fair 

 success, unless too many mealworms be given, which the old birds would find irresistible to 

 swallow, and the effects of which would probably make them lay again and neglect their 

 young. The hen sits alone on the eggs, guarded and fed by her husband. The eggs are 

 hatched in about a fortnight, and both parents feed the young. In the aviary I cannot 

 praise the Red Cardinal, and though some amateurs have kept the bird without evil consequences 

 with small Finches, I do not trust his temper nor his disposition. During the breeding season 

 two pairs in the same aviary would mean death to one and probably damage to the other, 

 whilst during autumn and winter old and young Red Cardinals roam in flocks through 

 orchards in North America, and are sent to Europe in cages containing several dozen heads. 



The Red Cardinal could easily be acclimatised in Europe, for Dr. Russ relates an authentic 

 instance of a pair having escaped in Germany during autumn which was re-captured next 

 spring after a very severe winter, through the accidental discovery of their nest containing 

 a young brood, in a wood several miles away from the place where the birds escaped. The 

 old birds were recaptured by means of bird-lime, and the young were successfully brought up. 

 Newly-imported birds are mostly shy, and should be slowly accustomed to their new 

 surroundings. Box-cages with canvas tops are very useful for the purpose, and preserve the 

 bird from damage. They should be placed in such a position that the inmates are not 

 exposed to being frightened by the near approach of human beings ; their feeder the Red 

 Cardinals will soon learn to know. It is curious that these American birds should still be 

 comparatively dear. A pair of Virginian Nightingales costs as much as several pairs of Australian 

 Undulated Parrakeets, and more than a fresh imported Grey Parrot or White Cockatoo. 



GENUS SPERMOPHILA. 



Under the generic name of Spermophila the list of the Zoological Society of London 

 contains the names of seven little Finches, viz. : — 



SPECTACLED FINCH. 

 Spermophila ophthalmica (V^MS:^), Coccoihraustes ophthalmmis ; Brillen Pfdffchen. 



LINED FINCH. 

 Spermophila lineola (Russ), Coccothraiisies lineola ; Weiss stirniges Pfdffchen. 



BLUISH FINCH. 



Spermophila ccerulescens (Russ), Coccoihraustes ccerulescens ; Blaupfdffchen. 



WHITE-THROATED FINCH. 



Spermophila albagitlaris (Russ), Coccoihraustes albagidaris ; Weisskehliges Pfdffchen. 



REDDISH FINCH. 



Sjpermophila nigro-auraiitia (Russ), Coccothi-austes aurantitis ; Pomeranzengelbes Pfdffchen. 



PLUMBEOUS FINCH. 

 Spermophila phirnhea (Russ), Coccoihraustes plumbeus ; Bleigraues Pfdffchen. 



HALF-WHITE FINCH. 

 'Spermophila hipolenca (Russ), Coccoihraustes hyfoleucics ; Rolhschnabeliges Pfdffchen. 



These little Finches are all natives of South America, and vary in size from that of the 

 Amaduvade Finch to that of a Siskin. They are distinguished by a singularly thick and arched 

 beak, which gives them a peculiar appearance. Their plumage is unpretending, and their song 

 quite insignificant; but they are funny-looking, amiable little beings, who are content to lead 

 a perfectly harmless existence in the aviary munching millet and canary seed. In the 



