The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 3 of 5] : $b BirdsGould, John
Science
The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 3 of 5] : $b Birds
Gould, John
Beagle Expedition (1831-1836); Birds; Zoology
This bird is very common on the coast of Chile, from the humid forests
of Chiloe to the desert mountains of Copiapó. In Chiloe it is perhaps
the most abundant of the land birds; south of Chiloe I never saw it,
although the nature of the country does not change them. On the eastern
side of the continent, I met with this bird only at the Rio Negro, in
northern Patagonia. I do not believe it inhabits the shores of the
Plata, although so common in the open country, under corresponding
latitudes west of the Cordillera. The Diuca, as this Fringilla is called
in Chile, generally moves in small flocks, and frequents, although not
exclusively, cultivated ground in the neighbourhood of houses: habits
very similar to those of the _Zonotrichia matutina_. During incubation,
the male utters two or three pleasing notes, which Molina has in an
exaggerated description called a fine song. In October, at Valparaiso, I
found the nest of this bird in the trellis-work of a vineyard, close by
a much frequented path. The nest is shallow, and about six inches
across; the outer part is very coarse, and composed of the thin stalks
of twining plants, strengthened by the husky calices of a composite
flower; this outside part is lined by many pieces of rag, thread,
string, tow, and a few feathers. Eggs rather pointed, oval, ·94 of an
inch in length; colour, pale dirty green, thickly blotched by rather
pale dull brown, which small blotches and spots become confluent, and
entirely colour the broad end.
2. FRINGILLA GAYI. _Eyd. & Gerv._
Fringilla Gayi, _Eyd. & Gerv._ Mag. de Zool. 1834. pl. 23.
Emberiza Gayi, var. _D’Orb. & Lafr._ Syn. p. 76.
This Fringilla, which was first brought from Chile, is abundant in the
southern parts of Patagonia.
3. FRINGILLA FORMOSA. _Gould._
_F. fronte lorisque nigris; vertice, genis, gulâ, alarum tegminibus
cæruleo griseis, tegminibus primariis, secundariis rectricibusque
griseo-nigris, cærulescenti-griseo marginatis, dorso flavescenti
castaneo; tegminibus caudalibus inferioribus pallidè griseis;
uropygio pectore abdomine hypochondriisque saturatè flavis._
Long. tot. 5½ unc.; _alæ_, 3¼; _caudæ_, 2⅝; _tarsi_, ¾; _rostri_, ½.
Forehead and lores black; crown of the head, sides of the face,
throat, wing coverts, and the margins of the primaries, secondaries,
and tail feathers, blue grey; the remainder of the primaries,
secondaries, and tail feathers, greyish black; back yellowish
chestnut; under tail coverts light-grey; rump, breast, abdomen and
flanks, deep wax yellow; bill bluish horn colour; feet light brown.
Habitat, Tierra del Fuego (_December and February_).
This finch is common on the outskirts of the forests in Tierra del
Fuego. Mr. Gould remarks, that it is nearly allied to _F. Gayi_, but it
is much smaller, and is richer in its colouring.
4. FRINGILLA FRUTICETI. _Kittl._
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