ROSY GROS B E AK.
Erythrospiza rosea.
Le Bouvreuil Pallas.
We believe we may safely affirm that this beautiful species o f Finch is strictly confined to the northern
regions o f the Old World, and that it is not found, as stated by some authors, on the continent o f America.
By Wilson it was considered synonymous with the Fringilla purpurea, which although bearing a strong resemblance
in its general contour and colouring, differs both from it and Erythrospiza erythrina, in the form of the
bill: the two latter birds have this organ shorter, and more swollen at the sides, approaching in these particulars
to the typical Pyrrhulce, or Buffinches.
Russia and Siberia constitute the true habitat o f the present species, though it may occasionally be found in
Hungary and the more central parts of Europe. It is considered one of the rarest European birds, and is
consequently much sought after by collectors. The female is quite unknown to ourselves, and we are not
aware o f any description of that sex having been recorded.
Head, back, rump, upper tail-coverts, breast, and all the under surface of a rich rosy hue, with a stripe of
dark brown down the centre o f each of the feathers of the back ; crown of the head and the throat ornamented
with pinkish white silky feathers; wings brown, the lesser coverts terminated with pinkish white,
and the greater coverts with pink, forming two bands across the wing; tail brown margined with pink ; bill
and feet light yellowish brown.
Our figure is of the natural size.