Description.—Above grey, with brownish-black stripes; wings dusky brown; tail-feathers black; below black, with minute grey marks on the throat and bosom; sides dull grey: total length 5·5 inches, wing 2·9, tail 2·2.
Hab. Bolivia, Argentina, and Patagonia.
This species is said to be about one third less than Phrygilus fruticeti in size, but to resemble it closely in colour. Dr. Döring found it abundant in Patagonia between the rivers Colorado and Negro, where it was seen during the cold season in flocks, associating with Zonotrichia canicapilla. Burmeister met with it in the Sierra de Uspallata, near Mendoza.
[72.] GUBERNATRIX CRISTATELLA (Vieill.).
(YELLOW CARDINAL.)
Gubernatrix cristatella, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 482 (Paraná); Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 31; White, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 38 (Cordova); Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl. viii. p. 130 (Concepcion, Entrerios).
Description.—Above light olive-green, the back marked with a few black stripes; four middle tail-feathers black, edged with olive, all the rest of the tail-feathers bright yellow, tipped with dull olive; broad superciliaries and lower part of the head bright yellow; crown, crest, and throat velvet-black, the black extending to the chest; beneath yellow, washed with olive-green on the breast and sides; bill and feet black: total length 8·0 inches, wing 3·8, tail 3·7. Female less brightly coloured; white on the head where the male is yellow; breast grey.
Hab. Paraguay and Argentine Republic.
The Yellow Cardinal is a graceful sprightly bird, with a strong melodious voice, and is one of our favourite cage-birds. It visits Buenos Ayres in small flocks in spring, but is a rare bird with us. There is little variety in its song, which is composed of four or five mellow notes of great power, and in tone somewhat like the whistle of the Blackbird of Europe.