8



A. Morrison—The Genus Sporophila



Colombian Plumbeous Finch (S. plumhea colombiana)


Similar to the typical race but with the chin, throat, and forepart

of cheeks white.


Habitat. —Colombia.


In a wild state the Plumbeous Finch has been observed in small

parties in the open pampas and in bushes in swampland. It possesses

a loud, clear song, and is greatly valued as a cage bird in its native land.


I only know of the typical race having been imported, but I have

given the two sub-species as a matter of interest. The Plumbeous Finch

appears to be a very desirable bird and has the reputation of being

one of the best songsters in a very tuneful family. Unfortunately it is

very rarely imported. Neunzig states that it has once been bred but

unfortunately gives no particulars.


Lined Finch (S. lineola)


Male. —Above, black, glossed with greenish, with a band of white

feathers across the rump a little mixed with grey ; a broad, longitudinal,

white stripe extends over the crown from the base of bill with a similar

streak at base of each cheek ; throat, black ; under surface and breast,

pure white ; thighs, externally black, internally white ; sides and flanks

washed with grey ; wing feathers, blackish with glossy edges ; a double

white wing patch on primaries and secondaries, the latter being obscured

by the greater coverts ; tail, black ; iris, brown ; feet, lead grey.


Juvenile Male. —Similar to the female but more fulvous below ;

a little black on the wing and tail feathers and under the throat feathers

which form a dusky patch, followed by a whitish patch on the lower

throat.


Female. —Above olive brown, lighter on the under surface, lores,

eyelid, cheeks, and throat, pale huffish ochre ; back of the head browner;

breast and abdomen, washed with huffish ochre ; sides and flanks, olive

brown ; thighs, yellow brown ; lesser wing coverts, as above ; under¬

wing coverts, dirty white washed with yellowish ; other wing feathers,

dark brown with olive brown edges to the secondaries ; bill, black ;

iris, grey brown ; feet, fleshy brown.


Plate. — Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 87 (male), uncoloured.



