CAGE BIRDS 185 



it is fond of weed seeds, and these should predominate in the 

 diet. 



The Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) is known to Amer- 

 ican dealers as the " Green Linnet." The origin of this title 

 is obscure, for the Greenfinch in no way resembles the Lin- 

 net. The male is somewhat larger than the English Spar- 

 row, of a general, rich olive tint, with bright yellow on the 

 forehead, wing, tail and breast. The female is smaller and 

 more inclined to gray than olive. The song is an insignifi- 

 cant affair of three syllables. The Greenfinch should have 

 the usual seed diet, with the addition of occasional live food. 



The Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is among the com- 

 monest of winter birds about the farms of northern Europe, 

 and is freely imported here. The male is vinous brown in 

 general, with gray head and nape and the wing coverts 

 barred with black and white. The female is similar, but 

 grayish instead of vinous in general tone. It is quiet and 

 confident in captivity, to which it quickly becomes accus- 

 tomed. The song is a cheerful but rather monotonous 

 repetition of several notes. In addition to the usual seeds, 

 the Chaffinch should have a pinch of soft food and occa- 

 sional insects. 



The Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) , also known 

 as the Mountain or Bramble Finch, is closely allied to the 

 preceding and resembles it in shape. The male has a rich 

 chestnut breast, and the upper parts are black, each feather 

 slightly edged with chestnut. The female is much duller 

 in color. The Brambling has little song, but is an attractive 

 and handsome bird. Its feeding habits are those of the 

 Chaffinch. 



The Yellowhammer or Yellow Bunting (Emberisa 

 citrinella) is the best known representative of a genus which 

 contains a great number of species that make desirable 

 cage bitds when they are to be obtained. The upper parts, 



