The Wliitc-throated Finch.
majority of Brazilian birds and may be tluis syllabled—" Chce ztmv, ckcc zvow, chee
woiv, chee tcchcc, techec, iechce; tswo2v-tsivcc, hiwiv-tsivce, techec techcer. This is
repeated over and over again incessantly, sometimes for hours together, with short
pauses for refreshment: the - Iswoiv-hznee" part of the song is rather musical, but
the "tcchcc'' part too high in pitcli, too nearly resembling stopper-screwing to be
altogether pleasing.
The White-throated Finch is rarely aggressive, excepting to its cousin the
Bluish Finch ; \yhich it rather enjoys swooping down upon unexpectedly, making
the latter shriek out a malediction. Both species feed on white millet, millet in
the ear and canary seed : in the summer, when the wild grasses are seeding a
handful thrown on the floor of the aviary, provides a treat for them, but in the
winter ripe grass-seed is not despised.
So far as I can discover nothing has been published respecting the habits of
this bird ill a wild state; but it is probable that they do not differ greatly from
those of the Bluish Finch.
Two other nearly allied species are kept as cage-birds by the Brazilians and
may, from time to time, be imported ; ^iz.~~Spermophila hypoleuca which differs from
allngnlans m having no black on the crown of the head, and in the general
ashy colour of the wing coverts; and 5. pluwbca, which has the chin and entire
throat light ash}- grej'; a white spot at the base of the cheeks, and the eyelid
white. Both are natives of Brazil, the range of S. p/nmbea extending into Bolivia
^ Respecting S. hypoleuca Mr. W. A. Forbes says This species of SpermophUa
IS common and widely distributed, frequenting grassy or open places, and often
coming into gardens. It appears to feed mainly on grass-seeds and is social in
its habits." Burmeister says that 5. hypoleuca is "abundant on the uncultivated o-rassy
plains fCamposgehict- Inerall)-, district of Campos) of the Interior of Brazil in small
companies and is much kept in cages on account of its delightful voice fstunmej
The Mineiros called the bird Buo vermelhor Vermillion beak is rather a flattering
title for a bird in which the beak is " reddish grey-bro.vn " according to Neu^vied
and "fleshy red" according to Forbes.
Of pUnubea Mr. Forbes says, that it is greatlj- esteemed by the Brazilians
as a cage-bird. They call it " Patativa de Parahyba" (Those caught at that place
benig supposed to be particularly excellent songsters) and often pay considerable
prices for good singers. The song is loud for the size of the bird and rather
pretty, though monotonous."
Burmeister says much the same thing It has a pleasant melodious voice
and the Mineiros call it Balciivo."
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