Foreign Finches in- Captivity.
It is a siugular fact that tliis species, wliicli bears a close general resemblance
to onr British Siskin, and builds an open nest, should yet lay white nnspotted
eggs. Excepting in the case of the Cohwibidcc, the earliest types of which family
probabh^ built in holes; the eggs of birds which construct open nests, rarely show
this total deficiency, both in colour and markings; whereas, on the other hand, the
eggs of birds which lay in holes or covered cave-like nests of any density, are
usuallj' white and ver)' rarely spotted.*
Although none of my English Siskins ever showed the slightest intention of
breeding in an aviary, beyond the fact that the cock birds fed one another and
their hens, from the crop; it does not necessarily follow that the Black-throated
Siskin would not do so. In which case moss, spiders' egg-cocoons, fine roots, hay,
cow-hair, and feathers, should be provided: if no natural branches, let into the wall
of the aviar)^ already existed, it might be judicious to introduce them. When
breeding, these birds would probably be all the better for plenty of gxeen-fly fAphisJ,
which our species eats greedily when it has nestlings; groundsel both in flower and
seed, should certainly be given; as well as Abrahams' food, of which these birds
are very fond.
Although Mr. Pludson saj's that there is little expression in the song of this
Siskin; Neuwied, on the other hand, says,—"the song is varied and pleasant
although not very loud: it is considered one of the best singers of South America.''
Burmeister, however, is evidentlj- of ]Mr. Hudson's opinion; he observes,—"It comes
near to the settlements and even to the gardens of the villages, allows itself to be
caught, is kept in cages, but sings little and without great variety of notes." "Its
food consists of diy seeds of weeds and, in captivity, especially Canary seed."
There is the same difference of opinion respecting the song of the European Siskin;
some naturalists admire it exceedingly, being charmed with its joyousness and the
comical hurdy-gurdy finish; whilst others speak contemptuously of it. To my mind
there is far more music in it than in the song of the Goldfinch, which is jerky
and full of pauses; filled up by ludicrous squeaks, and lateral wrenchings of the
body, more appropriate to the conductor of a band, than one of the performers.
Inasmuch as the Brazilians think it worth while to catch and cage C. ictérica,
it is safe to conclude that there are good features in its song; for there is nothing
startlingiy attractive in its plumage to make it worth keeping as a pet, in a land
• I have stated these facts elsewhere, and was thoiTghtlessly answered, that the Sparrow, Starling- and Swallow,
among British Birds, were exceptions. This is quite a mistake: all three, naturally, lay their eggs in nests parUy
or wholly open to a top light. The Sparrow, in field or garden, builds a purse-shaped nest, open near, or at, the
top the Starling lines a hollow in a branch, open above; and the Swallow leaves a gap above its open nest, even
w-lien it is built under cover of a ledge.
Ú
The Black-throated Sis/cin. 47
where the most gorgeously coloured Tanagers could be as easily provided for.
Dr. Russ' experience of this species seems to have been similar to mine; he
saj's:—"In 1S77 I received a pair from Mr. H. Möller in Hamburg, but they soon
died*. Since 1880 now and again a single pair has been imported." Pie informs
us, however, that Mr. Kerfack of Berlin bred this species in 1883 in his Bird-room.
The illustration of the male is taken from a .skin of a bird formerly living in
the author's collection.
^ The most literal translation of the German "giu^ ein" would be the slangy English equivalents "caved
in" or "went home".
• ;