FRINGILLA BURTONI, Gowia.

Burton’s Grosbeak.

Carduelis Burton, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part V. p. 90.

Fringilla Burton, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 371, Fringilla, sp. 9.

 

I rirsr became acquainted with this fine species in the year 1837, while inspecting the collection at Fort
Pitt, Chatham, which at that time contained the only known specimen : since that period a second example
has come under my notice, in the Museum of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society ; a third in the Museum
of the University of Edinburgh ; and I have lately been so fortunate as to obtain for my own collection two
males and a female; and these six specimens are, I believe, all that are at present in Europe.

It will be perceived that I originally placed this bird in the genus Carduelis, with the remark, that “it
departs in some respects from the other members of that genus, particularly in the robust form of the
beak, which is slightly angulated at the base :” upon reconsideration of the subject, I am now of opinion
that its proper situation is in the genus Fringilla, in which I have accordingly placed it.

The Fort Pitt specimen was said to be from the Himalayas, that at York from Simla; and Sir William
Jardine informs me, that on a drawing of this species lately sent to him by Mr. Blyth, is inscribed, “* From
Huttoo Mountains, near Simla,” which neighbourhood may therefore be considered its native habitat.

I was induced to give this fine bird the specific appellation of Burton?, in order to pay a just compliment
to Staff Surgeon Burton for the warm interest he took in the formation of the Fort Pitt collection, and for
the readiness he has at all times evinced to aid in any way the advancement of zoological science.

The male has the forehead, lores, and a curved line over the eye bright vermilion; crown of the head
and cheeks black; plumage of the body, both above and below, reddish brown ; all the feathers of the
breast and abdomen margined with red; wings black ; spurious wing, greater coverts, secondaries and ter-
tiaries more or less tipped with white ; tail black and white, the white being of a V-shaped form and de-
creasing in extent until on the centre feathers it is nearly obsolete ; bill yellowish brown ; feet fleshy brown.

In another specimen, which appears to be a fresh moulted bird, the colours are altogether finer, brighter,
and more decided ; the vermilion advances upon the forehead and encircles the eye; the white marks on
the wing are much larger, have a tinge of vermilion on their anterior margins, and show very conspicu-
ously.

The female has the forehead and circle round the eye orange; crown of the head blackish brown ; upper
surface brown; under surface brown, slightly washed with orange; under tail-coverts buff; wings and tail
as in the male, but the colours less decided.

The Plate represents two males and a female of the natural size.