PASSERINE BIRDS. I47 



crops. The Tiny Finch is distinguished by its small beak, hooked at the tip, resembling that of the 

 Bullfinch in shape ; by its comparatively long wings, short tail, and by the black shades that pre- 

 dominate in the upper portion of the plumage of the male bird. 



THE DIADEM GROSBEAK. 

 The Diadem Grosbeak {Catamblyrhynchus diadematus), another member of this family, inhabits 

 Santa F6 de Bogota. Its length is five and a half inches, and the wing measures two inches and 

 a half. The beak of this bird is very thick, and not unlike that of the Bullfinch in shape, the 

 upper mandible being but slightly hooked ; the wings are rounded, the tail somewhat shortened at its 

 sides, and the feet very strong. The bridles, cheeks, sides of the neck, and whole of the lower part 

 of the body, are of a chestnut brown ; the brow and front of the head orange colour ; the back of the 

 head and nape black, and the remainder of the upper part of the body blueish grey ; the wings and tail 

 are brownish, the former being edged with blueish grey. The beak is black, as is a narrow streak upon 

 the cheeks, and the feet are brown. We are totally unacquainted with the habits of diis species. 



THE ASHY-BLUE PARROT FINCH. 



The Ashy-blue Parrot Finch {Pitylus caridescens) is a large bird, about nine inches long and 

 twelve in breadth, the wings and tail measuring about four inches. Its beak is thick, arched, and 

 compressed at the margins, terminating at its tip in an abrupt hook. The wings are short, and when 

 closed do not extend beyond the upper tail-covers ; the two first quills are considerably shorter than 

 the third ; the tail is very long, and its three exterior quills much shorter than the six that form the 

 middle portion ; the small delicate legs seem quite disproportioned to the size of die beak. The 

 plumage of both sexes is soft, but by no means thick ; that of the male being a deep blackish slate 

 colour shaded with indigo blue, and the mantle and wings of a blueish green. The face stripes, 

 region of the eyes, ear-covers, front and sides of neck, chin, throat, and upper part of the breast, are 

 deep black, the wing and tail feathers black, the former white on the anterior border ; the lower wing- 

 covers are pure white, the eye is greyish brown, the beak of a reddish colour, and of a deeper shade 

 at its tip ; the legs are brownish black. In the plumage of the female the bright colours are not so 

 vivid on the upper part of the body ; the black portion of the throat is not so deep in its hue, and the 

 entire coat appears duller ; the beak is of a pale red. The young male is known by the light yellow 

 coloured beak, and by the inferior purity of its tints. 



This species is not frequently met with. It inhabits South America, and usually lives in pairs, 

 avoiding the interior of forests, and delighting to disport itself in the sunny meadows of its native 

 land. When perched in the brushwood, the contrast between its bright red beak and dark coat 

 and the green foliage renders it a conspicuous object in the landscape. The call is a chirping note, 

 not unlike that of the Hawfinch. 



THE MASKED PARROT FINCH. 

 The Masked Parrot Finch (Caryothraustcs Brasilioisis) is closely related to the last-mentioned 

 bird. The formation of the beak is very similar to that above described, but it is somewhat less 

 arched, and not quite so thick. The wings, which are comparatively long, reach when folded half 

 way down the remarkably short tail ; the latter is slightly rounded, and its exterior quills but little 

 shorter than the rest ; the legs are weak, and the very thick plumage beautifully coloured. In size 

 this species resembles the common Hawfinch, being from six and a half to seven inches long ; the wings 

 measure rather more than three inches, and the tail three inches. The entire face is coal black ; 

 the brow, region of the eye, top of the head, sides of the neck, lower part of the throat, and middle of 



