162 cassell's book of birds. 



only inform our readers that when caged they are very attractive little creatures, manifesting great 



attachment to each other, and associating readily with other Finches. Their voice is gentle, and not 



unpleasing in its sound. 



THE BLOOD FINCH. 



The Blood Finch (Lagotwstida minima) is a species fully equalling that above described in its 

 claims to our notice, and represents a group recognisable by their comparatively long and compressed 

 beaks, rounded tails, and red plumage, marked with small white spots. This species, which is known 

 to dealers in birds as the " Little Senegal," is about three inches and a quarter long, and five and a half 

 broad, the wing-covers measure two inches, and the tail one inch and a half. The coat of the 

 male is very beautiful, both in its hues and markings. The upper part of the head, nape of the neck, 

 back, and wings are dark brown, shading into black upon the tail ; the face, front of the throat, breast, 

 and rump are bright red ; the belly light brown, and the vent light grey ; the breast and hinder part of 

 the body are marked with minute spots, the beak and feet are red, the eye brown. The coat of the 

 female is greyish brown, of a lighter shade upon the lower part of the body, the rump is red, spotted 

 on its sides with white. The young resemble the mother. 



In its native lands the Blood Finch occupies a similar place to that of the House Sparrow with us, 

 and at certain seasons of the year may be found in great numbers in all the villages of South Nubia and 

 Eastern Soudan, flying in enormous flocks over the surrounding country, and occasionally occupying 

 the steppes at a great distance from the abode of man, or living upon mountains at an altitude of 400 

 or 500 feet above the level of the sea. The habits of this elegant and bright little bird closely resemble 

 those of its congeners, none of whom exceed it in lightness or agility, either when flying, or hopping 

 among the branches with its companions, whose society it cultivates even during the period of incuba- 

 tion. By the time the dry season is over it has moulted, and at once proceeds to choose a mate and 

 undertake the care of a family ; the little couples may then be seen going frequently down into the 

 villages and streets to examine the straw houses or mud huts of the natives, in order to find a suitable 

 spot upon which to build their nest, which is merely a heap of dried grass thrown roughly together, 

 the only care being expended in making the interior compact and round. Occasionally, when no 

 better place is to be found, the birds have to content themselves with a tree, or are even reduced to 

 make the cradle for their young upon the ground. We ourselves, in the month of January, when near 

 the banks of the Upper Nile, were upon o:ie occasion attracted by the anxious cries and restless 

 movements of a female Blood Finch, as she hopped about, evidently trying to divert attention from 

 her nest ; after a short search we found it in the midst of a heap of grass, from which it was scarcely 

 distinguishable ; it contained a number of small, white, round eggs, with a very smooth shell. The 

 work of incubation extends over a considerable space of time, and many broods are laid in the course 

 of the year. When caged this bird is very docile ; and its song is both lively and pleasing. The male 

 and female are extremely attached to each other, and alike occupy themselves in making the nest and 

 rearing their offspring, usually sitting upon the eggs for about a fortnight; the young when first hatched, 

 are covered with a brownish down instead of feathers, and are fed by the parents with half-digested 

 corn, insects, caterpillars, and other larvae. As far as we have ascertained, all attempts to naturalise 

 these birds have been unavailing, because they continue to breed and moult during the same months 

 as in Africa, and find our cold winter quite unendurable under these circumstances. 



THE VARIEGATED FINCH. 

 The Variegated Finch (Embhma pida) maybe regarded as the Australian representative of the 

 last-mentioned bird, and is particularly remarkable for its long, conical beak. Its wings are of 

 moderate length, the first quill being much shorter than the rest, and the four next of equal length ; 



