ROSY GROSBEAK.

 

 

Erythrospiza rosea.

Le Bouvreuil Pallas.

We believe we may safely affirm that this beautiful species of Finch is strictly confined to the northern
regions of the Old World, and that it is not found, as stated by some authors, on the continent of America.
By Wilson it was considered synonymous with the Mringila purpurea, which although bearing a strong resem-
blance in its general contour and colouring, differs both from it and Lrythrospoza erythrina, in the form of the
bill: the two latter birds have this organ shorter, and more swollen at the sides, approaching in these parti-
culars to the typical Pyrrhul@, or Buffinches.

Russia and Siberia constitute the true habitat of the present species, though it may occasionally be found in

 

Hungary and the more central parts of Europe. It is considered one of the rarest European birds, and is
consequently much sought after by collectors. The female is quite unknown to ourselves, and we are not

 

aware of any description of that sex having been recorded.

Head, back, rump, upper tail-coverts, breast, and all the under surface of a rich rosy hue, with a stripe of
dark brown down the centre of each of the feathers of the back ; crown of the head and the throat orna-
mented with pinkish white silky feathers ; wings brown, the lesser coverts terminated with pinkish white,

and the greater coverts with pink, forming two bands across the wing; tail brown margined with pink ; bill

 

 

and feet light yellowish brown.
Our figure is of the natural size.