70



A. Morrison—The Genus Sporopliila



feathers are generally browner with the edges to wing and tail feathers

much broader and deeper brown in colour.


Juvenile Male. —Similar to the female but more olive above with

traces of cinnamon on the rump and under surface. Also it presumably

possesses the white wing spot of the adult male.


Female.- —Above pale olive to yellowish olive, lighter on the rump ;

under surface lighter and yellower ; wings and tail blackish brown edged

with olive ; bill brownish, pale below.


Plate.—Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 60 (male).


Habitat. —From Panama through Columbia and Venezuela to

Guiana and N.E. Brazil ; Trinidad and Tobago.


References. —Buss, 570. Neunzig, 240. Butler, 145. Bird Notes,

vol. vi, p. 62.


The Fire-red Finch was first imported in 1906 when quite a

number came into the country. It has a pretty little song and appears

to be a most desirable species in every way and it is unfortunate that

it should be so rare.



Lavender-backed Finch (S. castaneiventris)


Male. —Upper surface and sides of head blue grey ; a small white

patch at base of bill ; whole under surface deep chestnut brown ; sides

and thighs blue grey ; lesser wing coverts blue grey ; rest of wing

feathers black with blue grey edges ; those of the greater coverts and

inner secondaries with grey tips as well ; the bases of the inner primaries

form a white, but usually concealed, wing patch ; axillaries and under

wing coverts white becoming grey towards the edge ; tail feathers,

blackish margined with grey ; irides dark brown ; bill and feet brown.


Juvenile Male. —Undescribed.


Female. —Above olive brown, pale on the rump and under surface

sides of head and foreneck paler olive brown ; sides of body darker

breast, centre of belly, under tail coverts and thighs pale ochreous

buff ; lesser wing-coverts like the upper surface ; rest of wing and tail

feathers dark brown with pale brownish edges ; feet brown ; bill

yellowish brown.


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



