on ihe Olive Finch.



169



....alludes to its prevalence in all the great Antilles. At the

Havanna, he says, it (the Olive Finch) is frequently caged, being

very docile and readily learning to sing. The Grass-birds re¬

mind me * much of the European Sparrow (note the reference

below to the Bahama ‘Sparrow’). They are very sociable, have

a strong predilection for the house-garden, and, when feeding by

half-dozens and dozens together, are very noisy. They have a

peculiar shrill chirp f: and, in the season when the grasses are in

seed, their diminutive bodies, for they are smaller than Wrens,

may be seen weighing down the culm of the grass, everywhere

about.”


At first thought, the references made by writers to Phoni-

para being “ quiet ” little birds, using the word in the sense of

“ amiable,” strike one as comical, for every aviculturist who has

personal knowledge of any of these species in captivity agrees

that the males are veritable little x x x x x x if able to get at one

another. Even the young must be removed from their parents

as soon as practicable or they will probably be murdered. But

with the wild birds, leading natural lives, with plenty of space

and having to work for their living, nesting when they will and

without restraint, matters are very different. Nevertheless, al¬

though so “ quiet ” at one season, probably at others there is

many an unrecorded battle over some well-favoured Black- or

Yellow-faced damsel or favourite nesting-site ; but the defeated

swain can always save his scalp by flying across the boundary.

In captivity, restraint is everywhere; even the very seasons are

in league against them ; the fiery pent up feelings and energies

are madly seeking for an outlet, and for an opportunity to be up

and doing; and any probable or possible rival must be swept out

of the way at any cost.


My notes occasionally refer to the song of the Olive Finch,

which I cannot clearly recall to mind, though I well remember

that it had a song, which is more than I should like to say of the

so-called “Melodious” Finch. Over and over again I have

heard if. in my dining-room during the cold season, a short

pretty little oft-repeated song. One of my notes, dated 3 June,



* Here Gosse quotes Mr. Hill.


+ Doubtless families—The young are particularly noisy while following their

parents.—R. P.



