A. Silver—Rosefinch Hybrids , etc.



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ROSEFINCH HYBRIDS, ETC.


By Allen Silver


Although a friend of mine (a Mr. Wade, of Ashstead) some twenty

years ago bred a hybrid from a Mexican Rosefinch and a hen Green¬

finch, and another friend (Mr. Waller, of Norwood) bred several Mexican

Rosefinch X Canary hybrids in recent years, I thought I would make

similar trials with a Mexican Rosefinch I had (recently killed by a

weaver). He first bred three female hybrids with a Greenfinch, then

three the next year paired with a hen Canary, and this year confined

with a hen Bullfinch produced one young hybrid. This, I think, is

the first attempt at such a cross. I am afraid the bird is a female.

It resembles a nestling Bullfinch with modified bill and shows hardly

any indication of a dark cap. The white bow over the upper tail coverts

is distinct, but dirty, and the wings and tail are Bullfinch-like but

browner. It is now in almost adult plumage.


The female Rosefinch X Greenfinch hybrids showed no inclination

to carry material the subsequent season. Male Rosefinch X Canary

hybrids (two used) whilst very amative were much too dangerous to

use with a Canary. Whether the Rosefinch X Bullfinch will show any

inclination to nest remains to be tried. I had hoped to use this old

Rosefinch with a Linnet next year, but if circumstances permit will

use instead another bird, a Rosefinch or House-finch which is of a

different race to the old bird. During the last few years we have reared

to maturity here hybrids from Hooded, Black-headed, and European

Siskins, Alario Finch, Serin Finch (S. serinus ), Sulphury Seedeater,

and hen Canary. The males of all have been tested repeatedly with

hen Canaries in cage and aviary, and so far no F2’s have been bred

other than five, those being from a Hooded Siskin X Canary hybrid,

bred by Dr. Amsler. Two males have been used for two seasons, but

no further fertility has resulted. One Hooded Siskin X Canary male

has been employed five seasons with no indication of fertility.



