A. Morrison—The Genus Sporophila



9



Habitat. —Brazil, Guiana, Venezuela.


References. —Russ, pp. 567, 685. Neunzig, p. 232. Butler, p. 148.

Cassel’s Cage Birds , p. 416. Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 90. Avic. Mag.,

vol. ii, 59 ; vol. iv, p. 131. 1931, p. 328.


The Lined Finch is occasionally imported and is a most delightful

little bird. In a wild state it prefers open country and associates in

flocks.


It is a very pretty species, speedily becomes tame, and confiding,

and is a good songster. It is inclined to be vicious with closely related

birds, but is otherwise absolutely harmless. It has never been bred.


Black-headed Lined Finch ( S. ocellata)


Male. —Similar to the Common Lined Finch but with the top

of the head black, though in the middle of the forehead there are

sometimes a few irregular white streaky markings ; ear coverts, black,

and only the cheeks white ; the feathers over the crop, black, with

white dot-like markings at the tips ; feathers on the sides of the body,

white, with black bases which are sometimes visible ; whole upper

surface of the wing, black, with a greenish gloss ; upper tail coverts

and tail, black, with glossy, greenish edges ; feet, black ; bill, black.


Juvenile Male. —I can find no description of this, but it is presumably

very similar to the young male Lined Finch.


Female. —Similar to female Lineola but with the whole fore neck

pale ochre yellowish ; under-wing coverts, whitish ochre washed with

yellow ; sides of body and flanks, yellowish ochre ; median and greater

wing coverts with paler ends forming an obsolete white wing bar.


Plate. — Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 61 (male).


Habitat .—Upper Amazonia, Guiana, Venezuela, and Colombia.


References. — Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 62. Butler, p. 147. Neunzig,

p. 234 (?).


This handsome little bird is very rare in captivity. Some were

imported in 1906 and 1907 to this country and this September I was

offered some by a German dealer. In its ways it probably resembles

the Common Lined Finch, but its song is said only to consist of a

sparrow-like chirping.



