The PARROT-BULLFINCH (_Paradoxornis flavirostris_) should, as its name
testifies, be assigned the first place in this family. This is a very
rare bird, and of striking appearance, inhabiting Southern Asia; it
has not the beak of the true Bullfinch, the upper mandible not rising
noticeably above the lower one, but curving outwards towards the sides,
as in some species of parrots. The wings are somewhat feeble and
decidedly rounded, the sixth quill being longer than the rest; the tail
is long, graduated, and strong; the legs and feet very powerful, the
toes of middle length, and the claws much bent. Its soft and flowing
plumage is of a greyish brown, somewhat lighter on the under parts of
the body, reddish brown on the back of the head and neck; the mantle
olive-coloured, with a band of deep black round the throat and over the
ear-covers; the face, skull, cheeks, and throat are white, spotted or
striped with a darker colour, and there are tawny tints upon the belly,
becoming redder upon the sides. The beak is of a brilliant yellow; the
feet leaden coloured, the eye reddish brown. In size this bird resembles
our common bullfinch, its length being about eight inches, three of which
belong to the tail. The wing measures three inches from the shoulder to
the tip.
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All the varieties of Parrot-Bullfinch with which we are acquainted are
inhabitants of the Himalayas. Jerdon tells us that the species we have
just mentioned was seen by him in the Khana Mountains, at a height of
about 5,000 feet above the level of the sea; and it has been observed
by other travellers in Nepaul and Assam. "I found," he continues, "that
they feed upon a variety of seeds, and saw a female with two or three
young ones that strongly resembled her in colour; they were somewhat shy,
but did not hide themselves, merely flying from tree to tree." Another
species was found by the above-mentioned naturalist in the bamboo woods
of the hilly districts of Nepaul, Sikkim, and Butan, where they feed upon
all kinds of seeds. They flew about in small parties, and appeared to be
somewhat timid, allowing themselves to be watched, but seeking shelter
when pursued. We learn from Tickell that they readily devour corn, maize,
and rice. "After eating," says this writer, "they perch upon the branches
of the trees and bushes, and have no appearance of living a retired life,
as is the case with the Timalias. In some respects they resemble other
bullfinches."
* * * * *
We are happily much better acquainted with the second tribe of the same
family, the European species of which is named