Volume I Part 13 (2/2)

+Phrygilus carbonarius+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 487; _Doring, Expl. al Rio Negro, Zool._ p. 38.

_Description._--Above grey, with brownish-black stripes; wings dusky brown; tail-feathers black; below black, with minute grey marks on the throat and bosom; sides dull grey: total length 55 inches, wing 29, tail 22.

_Hab._ Bolivia, Argentina, and Patagonia.

This species is said to be about one third less than _Phrygilus fruticeti_ in size, but to resemble it closely in colour. Dr. Doring found it abundant in Patagonia between the rivers Colorado and Negro, where it was seen during the cold season in flocks, a.s.sociating with _Zonotrichia canicapilla_. Burmeister met with it in the Sierra de Uspallata, near Mendoza.

72. GUBERNATRIX CRISTATELLA (Vieill.).

(YELLOW CARDINAL.)

+Gubernatrix cristatella+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 482 (Parana); _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 31; _White, P. Z. S._ 1883, p. 38 (Cordova); _Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl._ viii. p. 130 (Concepcion, Entrerios).

_Description._--Above light olive-green, the back marked with a few black stripes; four middle tail-feathers black, edged with olive, all the rest of the tail-feathers bright yellow, tipped with dull olive; broad superciliaries and lower part of the head bright yellow; crown, crest, and throat velvet-black, the black extending to the chest; beneath yellow, washed with olive-green on the breast and sides; bill and feet black: total length 80 inches, wing 38, tail 37. _Female_ less brightly coloured; white on the head where the male is yellow; breast grey.

_Hab._ Paraguay and Argentine Republic.

The Yellow Cardinal is a graceful sprightly bird, with a strong melodious voice, and is one of our favourite cage-birds. It visits Buenos Ayres in small flocks in spring, but is a rare bird with us.

There is little variety in its song, which is composed of four or five mellow notes of great power, and in tone somewhat like the whistle of the Blackbird of Europe.

73. DIUCA GRISEA (Less.).

(DIUCA FINCH.)

+Diuca vera+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 483 (Mendoza). +Diuca grisea+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 31.

_Description._--Above grey, sides of head darker; wings and tail blackish, edged with grey; lateral rectrices tipped with white; below grey, whole chin and throat and middle of the belly white; lower flanks and crissum stained with rufous; bill plumbeous; feet dark hazel: whole length 63 inches, wing 33, tail 26. _Female_ similar, but tinged with brownish, and colours more obscure.

_Hab._ Chili and Western Argentina.

This well-known Chilian species is said by Burmeister to be not unfrequent near Mendoza and along the range of the Cordilleras.

74. DIUCA MINOR, Bp.

(LESSER DIUCA FINCH.)

+Diuca minor+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 483 (San Louis, Cordova); _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 31; _Hudson, P. Z. S._ 1872, p. 537 (Rio Negro); _Durnford, Ibis_, 1878, p. 393 (Tombo Point, Pat.); _Doring, Exp. al Rio Negro, Zool._ p. 39 (R.

Colorado, R. Negro); _Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl._ viii.

p. 131 (Concepcion, Entrerios).

_Description._--Grey; head, neck, and back faintly washed with brown; wings blackish, the feathers edged with brownish grey; tail-feathers black, tipped with white on the inner webs; beneath, from the bill to the chest, white; upper part of breast and sides grey; rest of the under surface white; a bright chestnut spot on the flanks: whole length 65 inches, wing 32, tail 26. _Female_ similar, but less bright than male.

_Hab._ Argentina and Patagonia.

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