The TINY FINCH, or LITTLE PARSON (_Gyrinorhyncha_, or _Sporophila
minuta_), is a small species, measuring not more than five inches in its
entire length. The upper part of the body of the male is black, and the
lower portion a rusty red. The back of the female resembles that of her
mate, but the breast is reddish brown, and the belly a rusty yellow; the
young are like their mother.
Like its congeners, this bird is found principally upon the grassy plains
of Brazil, where it lives upon various kinds of seeds. It is a smart,
pleasing little creature, with an agreeable voice, and on these accounts
is much valued by the Brazilians, in spite of the damage it occasionally
does to their crops. The Tiny Finch is distinguished by its small
beak, hooked at the tip, resembling that of the Bullfinch in shape; by
its comparatively long wings, short tail, and by the black shades that
predominate in the upper portion of the plumage of the male bird.