FKINGILLIKL2B. 389 



The plumage of the Bull-finches is soft and puffy, the feathers 

 of open texture, and the colors distinct and massed, in this respect 

 approximating the Grosbeaks. Four species are known from the 

 Himalayas. 



729. Pyrrhula erythrocephala, Vigoks. 



P. Z. S. 1831— Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 32— Birds of 

 Asia, pt. IV. pi. 12— Blyth, Cat. 667— Horsf., Cat. 683. 

 The Ked-headed Bull-finch. 



Descr. — Male, with the head dull ciimson, continued round the 

 sides of the neck,- and more or less on the ear-coverts ; a narrow 

 band on the forehead, and round the base of the bill black, set off 

 with whitish, passing into the red of the cheeks ; back, scapulars, 

 and wing-coverts, dull reddish ashy ; rump and upper tail-coverts 

 pure white, the outermost feathers of the latter black ; median 

 coverts, wings, and tail, glossy black ; the greater coverts ashy, 

 tipped with white ; chin whitish ; throat,' breast, and upper part 

 and sides of abdomen, the same red as the head, but somewhat 

 paler, and tinged with orange ; lower part of abdomen pale greyish 

 fawn, passing into white on the lower tail-coverts. 



The female has the head and neck dull greenish yellow, the back 

 browner than in the male, and the lower parts pale brown. 



Bill black ; legs pale fleshy brown ; irides light brown. Length 

 about 6 inches ; wing 3^- ; tail 2f. 



This Bull-finch has much the form of the European bird, but 

 the tail is slightly longer and more forked. It is found through- 

 out the Himalayas, more common in the North-west, somewhat rare 

 in the South-east. I procured it at Darjeeling, but it is rare there, 

 and only a winter visitant ; and Mr. Blyth had not previously seen 

 specimens from Sikim. At Mussooree, Hutton states it to be 

 common in winter, feeding on the ground, as well as on berry- 

 bearing bushes, and it perches high on the top of trees. 



730. Pyrrhula erythaca, Blyth. 



J. A. S., 1863. 



The Red-breasted Bull-finch. 



Descr. — A narrow band round the base of the bill, black, 

 edged with white ; the whole head, neck, back, and wing-coverts, 



