The BLOOD FINCH (_Lagonosticta minima_) is a species fully equalling
that above described in its claims to our notice, and represents a
group recognisable by their comparatively long and compressed beaks,
rounded tails, and red plumage, marked with small white spots. This
species, which is known to dealers in birds as the "Little Senegal," is
about three inches and a quarter long, and five and a half broad, the
wing-covers measure two inches, and the tail one inch and a half. The
coat of the male is very beautiful, both in its hues and markings. The
upper part of the head, nape of the neck, back, and wings are dark brown,
shading into black upon the tail; the face, front of the throat, breast,
and rump are bright red; the belly light brown, and the vent light grey;
the breast and hinder part of the body are marked with minute spots, the
beak and feet are red, the eye brown. The coat of the female is greyish
brown, of a lighter shade upon the lower part of the body, the rump is
red, spotted on its sides with white. The young resemble the mother.
In its native lands the Blood Finch occupies a similar place to that of
the House Sparrow with us, and at certain seasons of the year may be
found in great numbers in all the villages of South Nubia and Eastern
Soudan, flying in enormous flocks over the surrounding country, and
occasionally occupying the steppes at a great distance from the abode of
man, or living upon mountains at an altitude of 400 or 500 feet above
the level of the sea. The habits of this elegant and bright little bird
closely resemble those of its congeners, none of whom exceed it in
lightness or agility, either when flying, or hopping among the branches
with its companions, whose society it cultivates even during the period
of incubation. By the time the dry season is over it has moulted, and at
once proceeds to choose a mate and undertake the care of a family; the
little couples may then be seen going frequently down into the villages
and streets to examine the straw houses or mud huts of the natives, in
order to find a suitable spot upon which to build their nest, which is
merely a heap of dried grass thrown roughly together, the only care being
expended in making the interior compact and round. Occasionally, when no
better place is to be found, the birds have to content themselves with
a tree, or are even reduced to make the cradle for their young upon the
ground. We ourselves, in the month of January, when near the banks of
the Upper Nile, were upon one occasion attracted by the anxious cries
and restless movements of a female Blood Finch, as she hopped about,
evidently trying to divert attention from her nest; after a short search
we found it in the midst of a heap of grass, from which it was scarcely
distinguishable; it contained a number of small, white, round eggs, with
a very smooth shell. The work of incubation extends over a considerable
space of time, and many broods are laid in the course of the year.
When caged this bird is very docile; and its song is both lively and
pleasing. The male and female are extremely attached to each other, and
alike occupy themselves in making the nest and rearing their offspring,
usually sitting upon the eggs for about a fortnight; the young when first
hatched, are covered with a brownish down instead of feathers, and are
fed by the parents with half-digested corn, insects, caterpillars, and
other larvæ. As far as we have ascertained, all attempts to naturalise
these birds have been unavailing, because they continue to breed and
moult during the same months as in Africa, and find our cold winter quite
unendurable under these circumstances.