76



NEW BOOKS.


Foreign Finches in Captivity , by Arthur G. Butler , Ph. D., Etc., Part III.


(L. Reeve dr 5 Co., 6 , Henrietta Street, Covent Garden).


Dr. Butler’s account of the Buntings is concluded in this part and

the Cardinals and the American genus Spennophila are dealt with. A good

description of that most attractive bird, the Green Cardinal, is given, but

the illustration of the female of this species is by no means first rate : the

artist has failed to render the delicate blending of green, grey, and yellow

tints which make the original so beautiful and has given his picture a some¬

what patch}' appearance in consequence. As far as our experience of this

species goes, we should feel disposed to agree with the description of its

song, which Dr. Butler quotes from Mr. Hudson, “ its song is composed of

four or five mellow notes of great power, and in tone somewhat like the

whistle of the blackbird.” This exactly describes the song of a fine male

bird which we kept for some years. Dr. Butler, however, tells us that his

experience was different, the explanation doubtless being that individuals

vary much in this respect.


Both description and illustrations of the next two species, the Yellow¬

billed and the Dominican Cardinals are altogether excellent, and the same

may be said with regard to the Red-crested Cardinal, though the latter is

represented in an attitude which it seldom assumes. We are quite in accord

with the author’s opinion that hemp-seed in moderation has no injurious

effebt on the colour of the plumage of the Cardinals, but we think that he

under-estimates the importance of soft food and especially of fruit of all

kinds in feeding these birds. Of the latter they are all extremely fond, and

in our opinion it has a most beneficial effect in improving the colour and

condition of the plumage.


We are glad that Dr. Butler has discarded the misleading name of

“Virginian Nightingale;” “Virginian Cardinal ” is much better, and we

hope will be generally adopted. A specimen as brightly coloured as the one

illustrated would probably, if exhibited in this country, give rise to

suspicions of colour-feeding: the account of this species is particularly

interesting.


The genus Spennophila is represented in this work by two species

only, the White-throated and the Bluish Finches. The former is the

species best known to aviculturists, and it deserves to be more popular than

it is, for it is a charming little cage bird. The Bluish Finch is neither a

very well-known nor a very attractive bird, and we should have preferred

an account of the prettier and commoner Lined Finch.


With this part is concluded the account of the Fringillidce and avicul¬

turists will await with interest the parts dealing with the Ploceulce or Weaving

Finches.



CORRESPONDENCE.


THE SONG OF HAND-REARED BIRDS.


Sir, — I t seems to be rather a difficult matter to decide whether birds

sing by instinbt or imitation.


I have two hand-reared Yellow-hammers nearly two years old. There

are no wild Yellow-hammers to be heard from our house, and the song of

my little pets is a very curious production. They have loud clear voices,

and have a slight idea of the well-known ringing notes of the Yellow-

hammer, but it is a very imperfebt one. One of them last summer had a

feeling that a very high prolonged squeak should form part of his song, but

did not know when to bring it in. So instead of finishing with it, he used

to begin with it, and go on with the quick repetition of low notes afterwards.

The rest of the performance w'as very much like the attempt of a young

hen canary, who fancies that she can sing as well as her father !



