Indian Birds 
hen, and in the former in the breeding season 
than at other times of the year. But in both 
sexes there is always a patch of crimson on the 
lower rump. In full dress the cock has the 
whole head, upper plumage, breast, and sides 
of the body crimson. As, however, the wing 
feathers are brown, the little birds look brown, 
and not crimson, during flight. In order to 
perceive the crimson they must be watched 
when at rest in the sunlight. 
They are highly gregarious and are found all 
over India. In Burma this bird is replaced by 
an allied one (S. flavidiventris), having the 
abdomen yellowish red instead of black. 
(Illus. G. B., frontispiece.) . 
The Finches, 80-82 
These are seed-eating birds, characterised 
by a thick, stout bill. The canary and the 
house sparrow are the most familiar examples 
of this family. 
80. Carpodacus erythninus: The Common 
Rose-Finch. (F. 761), (J. 738), (+1.) 
Cock: A crimson bird, with brownish-green 
wings. The crimson is bright on the breast, 
throat, and rump. ‘There are two yellowish- 
brown bars on the wing. 
136 
