§7



Society would kindly say if I am correct in claiming such

extreme rarity for the Crimson-banded WhydahA



VI.—THE DESERT TRUMPETER BUEEFINCH.


Erythrospiza githaginea.


By E. G. B. Meade-WaIvDO.


This charming little bird is certainly amongst my greatest

favourites, both in its wild state and as an aviary bird, possess¬

ing, as it does, many good qualities, viz., extreme hardihood,

amiability, readiness to breed, beauty of appearance, and a most

remarkable voice. I am not aware that it has been described

as an aviary bird by anyone except Dr. Bolle, but am open to

correction on this point. This Desert finch has a very wide

though interrupted range, extending from the Island of Fuerta-

ventura on the west, to Southern Afghanistan on the east, when

it is replaced by E. obsoleta; further again to the east, in the

Gobi desert another form, E. mongolica, occurs. It is a bird of

the true desert but always frequents parts of a stony character,

and where pink limestone is more or less frequent: its own rose

colour harmonizing in a remarkable degree with its surroundings.

It is of great power of flight, and must travel immense distances

for water.


In its wild state and in breeding plumage, it is a most

beautiful bird. In the male, the thick and powerful beak is

bright coral red, the feathers of the crown of the head stone

colour edged with rose-pink, the back the same, rump and upper

tail coverts bright rose-pink, tail dark isabelline edged with rose,

wings the same but with scapulars edged with brilliant rose-pink,

the whole of the under parts suffused with rose colour, the legs

orange. The female is a very dingy edition of her mate. In the

autumn and winter both sexes are of a sand colour but slightly

suffused with rose, and the beak is but pale red. In a state of

confinement the full colour is never reached, but the male of a

pair that I have had since 1888, is nearly as good as a wild bird.

The young in their pure isabelline dress are very interesting.

This Bullfinch is about the size of the common Einnet.



* Since the above was written, another of these beautiful birds has

been imported, and I have been fortunate enough to get possession of him.

I am, however, compelled to keep him in a separate cage, as there would be

war to the death if I turned him into the aviary with the other, and I am

afraid to trust him with my collection of small birds.



