54 
allen’s naturalist’s library. 
from the Canary Islands and the Azores is nothing but a lame 
race of the Serin Finch.* 
Habits. — Very much resembling those of a Siskin, but the 
Serin is of a more lively nature, and its clear and ringing call- 
note makes it very conspicuous as it sings from the top of a 
tree, or mounts into the air. “Its note resembles the word 
zi-zi-zt often repeated, and a flock of birds settled on a tree pro- 
duces a peculiar buzzing, or almost hissing sound.” ( Howard 
Saunders.) 
Egg«. — Resemble very closely those of the Linnet, but are 
smaller, with a bluish white ground-colour, mottled and spotted 
with reddish brown or pink with darker purplish black spots. 
Axis, o'6-o’7 inch; diam., o'45-o'5. 
THE RED BULLFINCHES. GENUS CARPODACUS. 
Carjtodacus, Kaup., Natiirl. Syst., p. 161 (1829). 
Type, C. erythrinus (Pall.). 
These birds are similar in form to the Canaries, but are 
somewhat more stoutly built, and have a good deal of crimson 
or purple in their coloration. 
Only one species has occurred in England, the Scarlet Bull- 
finch (C. erythrinus ), which is a North European form occurring 
throughout Northern Asia. A large number of species inhabit 
the mountains of Asia, particularly the Himalayas, and at least 
half-a-dozen are found in North America, some of them ranging 
into Mexico. 
* Wild Canaries, identical with the resident bird of the Canary Islands 
have been frequently caught in England. Some ornithologists consider 
these birds to have been imported, others believe that they may he occa- 
sional immigrants to our shores. It seems quite feasible to suppose that 
escaped Canaries of the orthodox yellow colour would, in a very short 
space of time, revert to the plumage of the wild stock from which they were 
derived ; and it is probably birds of this category which have been captured 
in England, rather than wanderers from the far distant home of the species. 
Other Canaries, S. canicollis and S. icterus, have also been captured in 
England ; but as these are by no means uncommon cage-birds, there is no 
doubt that the individuals recorded had escaped from captivity. 
