Loxia Capensis, LINNÆUS; Le Pinson noir et jaune, BUFFON; Der
Capsche Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
I have one of these birds, which is about the size of a bullfinch: its
length is six inches and a quarter, of which the tail, which is rather
wedge-shaped, measures two and a half. The beak is whitish above, very
much compressed on the sides, and very pointed; the iris dark brown;
feet dark flesh-colour. The head, neck, top of the back, all the under
part of the body, and the tail are of a fine velvet black.
The female, which is light brown, has a black spot in the centre of each
feather; the sides of the head and greater wing-coverts are grey white,
streaked with black; the lesser coverts and the rump of a light yellow;
the tail-feathers edged with grey; the beak pale or raven grey.
The plumage of the male after pairing is like that of the female.
OBSERVATIONS.--This bird, which comes from the Cape of Good Hope lives
very well in the house; it is kept in a cage, alone or with the
female, and fed with hemp and canary seed. In its native country it
frequents the edges of streams and rivers, feeds on seeds, but is not
so mischievous as the preceding. The eggs are grey, spotted with
black. It is said to be nice to eat.