B O T B T J S a C T I IÄ B 'K T i't.X
= = = ---------
ZONOTBICHIA BELLI.
B E L L ’ S F IS CH .
KMBBRIZA BELLI. Cass. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. Phila. (1850), p. 104, p i $I§
POOSPIZA BELLI. Sclat. Proc. Zool. Soc. (1857), p. 7. Baird. B. of N. Amer., p. 470.
CAIavoauiA k the native country of tbk pretty M b i p m * . »■ * • of Sono“ f f ratl,or 11 “
able from our other Finches, the black spot upon its white breast being one of the most qpticeable markings.
It was Srst discovered by inv friend Mr. J. G. Belt, during Ms visit to California, and he relates the M owing fowfhets regarding it . This
bird I shot fiint near Sonoma, and afterwards at San Diego; its habits much resemble those of the punted banting ( S .«™ ) 1 »tarred several
of them amongst the wormwood at the edge of the hills, sitting on the tops o f the small bashes, singing, and when d,started would dart downwards
The song is quite unlike that of any of our Finches, rather low and plaintive, and perhaps most resembles that of the swamp sparrow
. . , .. a ta | „ vew active nor a shy bird, and was not rare at the localities mentioned.”
‘ Tl“ peeie, has a.so bee'n observed in ,he valley of the Gila and Coior.d. river, a, far - *>* Thorn. 1 have phmed thta spamwinihe
a nntrichia as it seems to possess more of the characters o f that genus, than of Poospiza, to which it has been referred by Dr. Softer.
g e n n h ' » H H H the eye white. A stripe on each side of the throat, and spot on the breast, black.
Feathera of the wing edged with yellowish brown. Under parts white. Flanks and nndor tail-eovert, light brown. Tad dark brown, hghter
on the edges. Bill dark brown. Feet and tarsi light brown.
The figures are life-size. The plant is the Mimus Cardinalis from California.