T H E SAFFRON FINCH,
Sycalis flavcola. LINN.
r
""T ATPIAM calls this species tlie "Brazilian Bunting" and in tlie song • of this
-L-^ and the other species of Sycalis, and the fact that they walk, instead of
hopping, they certainl}? approach the Cardinal Biintings: they also resemble
Embcriza in this, in their violent courtship and their love for insect food. Even
the fact that they place their nests in holes, is not altogether opposed to this
resemblance; since the nests of Emberisa are not infrequentlj' placed in hollows or
niches in the sides of chalk-pits or steep banks ;* the eggs, however, more nearly resemble
boldly-marked examples of those of the genus Passer, and this has probably induced
some writers to designate them as Sparrows, in spite of the fact that the birds
themselves more nearlj? resemble Seriu Finches.
The Saffron Finch is found from Southern Brazil to Bolivia, in Peru, Ecuador,
Colombia, Guiana, and Venezuela.
The cock bird in adult plumage is of a bright greenish yellow colour, the
feathers of the mantle and upper back streaked with dusky lines; the wing-feathers
blackish, edged with brighter or duller yellow; the tail-feathers blackish, bright
yellow externally and pale yellow internally; the crown of the head yellow, bright
orange in front; the cheeks and throat yellowish orange; under parts bright
yellow, tinged with green at the sides. Length inches; the beak horn-bromi
the lower mandible paler; legs brownish flesh-coloured; iris greyish-brown.
The hen is trsually much duller than the male, though very old hens
approach the males in their bright colouring; when tolerably young the colouring
above is p)ale greenish yellow, more ashy on the mantle and front of the back,
the feathers of which are brown-centred with blackish shaft-lines; the posterior
portion greenish yellow, without markings, but the tail-coverts somewhat dusky
in the centres; lesser wing-coverts yellow, median and greater coverts dull brown,
^^•ith yellow margins and whitish tips; flight feathers dull brown, edged -with yellow,
* Sycalis arvensis nests on llie ground, under or near a tuft of high grass.