24



THE GROSBEAKS.


By H. R. Fiixmer.


I propose in this paper to discuss, more or less briefly,

some eighteen species of the sub-family Coccothraustince. I have

kept living specimens of ten of these species in my own

bird-room, and have had good opportunities for examining

living birds of three more species; two other species I have

seen alive but have not been able to closely examine; the

remaining three species f Spermophila ophlhalmica , S. azrulescens,

and Phonipara lepida) I have never seen, and can therefore

give only second-hand information about them.


I write as an aviculturist for aviculturists, and I therefore

propose to make very little reference to the habits of the birds

in a state of freedom, and to deal with them simply as aviary

birds.


It is very difficult, if not impossible, to draw a hard and

fast line between the Grosbeaks and the True Finches on the

one hand, and the Grosbeaks and the Buntings on the other;

yet, in spite of this, most of the genera have a very distinctive

appearance in consequence of the size and shape of the beak,

so that even a novice could at once decide whether an unknown

bird belonged to this sub-family. However, there is nothing

Grosbeaklike about the outward appearance of either Phonipara

or Volatinia, but Dr. Bowdler Sharpe doubts whether these

genera are correctly placed among the Coccothraustince.


From the avicultural point of view the Grosbeaks are a

very attractive group, for they include two prime favourites:

the Cuba Finch and the Virginian Cardinal, as well as several

other birds less generally known, which are especially well

adapted for the aviary, some of them being remarkably good

songsters.


The Greenfinch fChloris chlorisj.


Of the two British species of Grosbeak (the Greenfinch

and the Hawfinch) this is by far the most common, it is indeed

so common that most people do not consider it worth keeping in

captivity. It possesses no song, and is not remarkable for

beauty, although Mr. Hudson thinks its colours prettier than

those of the Chaffinch, and says that “against a background of

green leaves, with the sunlight on him, he is certainly beautiful.”

In captivity it is hardy and long lived. It is heavy and clumsy in a

cage and should, therefore, always have the range of an aviary.

It is readily tamed if caught when adult, but a hand-reared bird

is best and makes a delightful pet. It is easily reared from the



