A. Morrison—The Genus Sporophila



45



Butler, 147. Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 68 ; 1913, 139. Avic. Mag.,

vol. ii, p. 58 ; vol. iv, p. 131 ; 1917, p. 28 ; 1931, p. 328.


In a wild state the Guttural Finch congregates in small flocks

in open country, particularly along river banks where there is abundance

of grass, on the seeds of which it subsists. It is a familiar bird, coming

quite close to houses, and it sings continually. The nest is usually

placed in a low bush and is somewhat loosely made of grass stalks.

The clutch is said to consist of two eggs, pale greenish white in colour,

marked with various shades of brown.


The Guttural is quite freely imported and is a most charming

bird in captivity. It is hardy, pretty, very good tempered, and a

delightful songster. In an aviary it is inclined to be rather retiring

if there is any cover available. It has been bred occasionally, for the

first time in this country by Page in 1912. A German aviculturist

obtained eggs from a cross between the hen Guttural and cock White-

throated Finch.



Collared Finch (S. cucullala)


Male. —Upper surface black with shoulders and lower back grey,

the latter washed with ochre ; rump, a deep ochre brown ; upper

tail coverts, blackish edged with dark grey ; lores with a creamy buff

spot ; ear coverts and feathers round eye, black with a creamy buff

spot below the fore-part of eye ; cheeks and throat, creamy buff washed

with ochre ; sides of neck rich ochre, extending backwards so as almost

to form a collar ; fore-neck with a broad black band ; chest and

under surface, pale tawny buff ; thighs white, black posteriorly ; wing

coverts, black with grey edges ; inner lesser coverts and tips of inner

median coverts, bright ochre ; rest of wing feathers, black edged with

grey ; inner primaries externally white at the base, forming a white

wing spot ; under wing coverts, white ; tail feathers, black edged and

tipped with brown ; irides, brown ; bill, horn grey, with a dark base

and yellowish tip ; feet, pale horn colour.


Juvenile Male. —Similar to female, but the black feathers show at

an early age.


Female. —Above, brown edged with olive on the head and back ;

upper tail coverts, dark brown with paler margins ; sides of head and



