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18 Foi'cign Finchcs in Captivity.
sometimes repeated twice in rapid succession. When it is lieard, the bird may
iisuall}' be seen perched conspicuously on tlie top of a bnsli or low tree. The
marshy forest banks of the great Siberian rivers are a verj' favourite resort of
this bird; and in the Baltic provinces, wdiere it is common, and in the \'alley of
the Upper Volga, it is described as frecpienting willows and other low trees
in marshy districts.
The food of this bird consists of seeds of various kinds, grain, and the bnds
of trees. In spring it eats insects, and in autumn berries and other fruit.
The nest of the Scarlet Rose-Finch is bnilt in the fork of a small bnsh,
or amongst climbing plants not far from the ground. It bears little resemblance
to the nest of a Finch, and might easily be mistaken for that of a Warbler.
It is composed of dry grass-stalks, and lined with horse-hair. It is rather deep,
and very neatly and carefully made, although it is so slender as to be semi-transparent
when held up to the light. The inside diameter is two inches and a
quarter. Five is the usual number of eggs, but sometimes only four are laid, and
occasionally as many as six. They var)' in length from 'g to 73, and in breadth
from '63 to '55. The ground-colour is greenish blue, not so pale as that of the
eggs of the Bullfinch; the spots are also fewer, smaller, and blacker than in
t3-pical eggs of the latter species. They are smaller than the eggs of the
Bullfinch, and are not likely to be mistaken for the eggs of any other bird.
In the winter the • Scarlet Rose-Finch ranges over the plains of India,
sometimes in large flocks, but more general^ in small parties, frequenting alike the
groves, the gardens, and the jungle. At this season of the year its habits much
resemble those of the true Finches. In Gilgit they breed at an elevation of 10,000
feet above the level of the sea, and fresh eggs have been obtained there in the
second half of July. Early in September thej^ leave the hills and come down into
the valley, and soon migrate to their winter qnarters. Captain Butler, describing
its habits in Rajpootana, west of Scinde, says that it is very fond of the watery
nectar contained in the flower of the Indian coral-tree (Erythrina indicaj, upon
which tree the bird is alwa3-s found wdien it is in blossom."
I found this bird tame and gentle as a cage-bird; indeed I paired it up ^vith
a hen Canary, in the hope of breeding mules; but, in all probability, my example
was not in vigorous health, for at the approach of winter I lost it. A healthy
specimen, in full song, would undoubtedly breed with a Canai-y, since the allied
Purple Finch has produced mules with that Serin.
On the journey from India the Scarlet Rose-Finch is fed upon canary and
millet; and these seeds, with a little fresh green food and a few mealworms, suit
The Scartd Rose lunch. 19
it well in confinement; though they may be improved on, as we shall .see.
Terdon says of this species, whrch he calls "The Common Rose-Finch, -
" In March many are taken in fine breeding livery. In the extreme sotith I
have chiefly seen it in bamboo jungle, feeding on the seeds of bamboo on several
occasions, and so much is this its habit that the Telugn name signifies 'Bamboo
Sparrow.' In other parts of the country it frequents alike groves, gardens, and
juiio-les feeding on various seeds and grain; also not unfreqnently on flower buds
and^youno- leaves. Adams states that in Cashmere it feeds much on the seeds
of a cultivated vetch. Now and then it is seen in large flocks, but in general it
associates in small parties. It breeds in Northern Asia. It is frequently caught
and caged, and has rather a pleasing song. Blyth says the ' Tut, has a feeble
twittering song, but soft and pleasing, being intermediate to that of the Goldfinch,
and that of the small Red-pole Linnet, the call-note much resembling that of a
Canary-bird.'"
Latham called this the "Tooty Finch," a modification of the Hindostani name
"Tuti," or "Surkhar Tuti." In Nepal, according to Hodgson, it is "Amonga
Tuti," and in Silhet, according to Hamilton, " Chota Tuti."
In a note published by Jerdon in the Bladras Journal, he says;—"I have
observed it several times in large groves of trees in the northern part of the
table-land. It associates in flocks of various numbers, and devours various grains,
especially Jowaree, fAndropogon Sorghum, Linn.), and also rice; and in default of these,
various other grains, seeds, and even flower-buds and young leaves of trees. It is
occasionally caught and domesticated on account of its song."
Now, this gi\-es one a clue to the best seeds on which to feed the Scarlet
Rose-Finch, namely—white millet and Paddy rice; to these canary-seed, as already
shown, makes a good addition, and I should include oats and sunflower-seeds.
Abrahams' food would doubtless be beneflcial when it was moulting; but, unless
the bird could be turned loose in a spacious aviary, no soft food of any kind
should be regulari)- supplied, as it then tends to produce an excess of fat.
Dr. Russ says:—"A pair in my bird-room brought up three young ones.
Nest placed tolerably high up in a thick bush against the wall, formed of bents,
flowering heads of reeds,* soft strips of paper and thread, lined with horse-hair.
Time of incubation, twelve days. Nestling down delicate bluish. Young plumage
above browii-grey, tinged with greenish; short tail, dull yellowish green-grey;
under body dull brownish white, spotted w ith fawai. After the first moult,
slightly red; fully coloured for the first time in the third or fourth year."
* " Rolirfahneii," literally reed-banners.
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