0 Пользователей и 3 Гостей просматривают эту тему.
Hello Pavel!I just translate the parts of this forum what I am interested. Here are very much good information! I am very glad that find this forum!You are lucky, that you can keep and breed these species. In Hungary unfortunetly is not possible to keep, or breed the species of the european fauna, cannot the ringed, and boughted, breeded ones too....You know, that I am interested about Caucasian, Siberian or Middle -East serins /for example Redfronted serin/ and other seedeater species from this region.I have good literature about Serinus pusillus, if you think I can try to put here.
Put here the other 10 pages, or not? If somebody like it , I can send it in mail.
These pictures are from Alcedo.The last two are hibrids with Carduelis flammea.
Du. Roodvoorhoofdktnarie FR. Serin н front d\'or QE. RotstlrngirlitiRu. Корольковый вьюрок SP. Vordodllo caxinegro Sw. Rtidpannad gulhamplingPusser pusillus Pallas, 1S11MonotypicField characters, ia cm; wing-spun 21-23 cm. Slightly larger then Serin S. serinus but with similar stubby form on ground and in flight. Distinctive serin, with sooty head and breast, fiery orange-red forecrown, and heavily streaked back and flanks; rump orange in centre. Juvenile has rufous-buff face, cheeks, and throat. Sexes similar; some seasonal variation. Juvenile separable.ADULT MALE. Moults: July-October (complete). Fore-head and forecrown to above eye fiery, even luminous orange-red to scarlet, setting off otherwise sooty-brown, almost black head, nape, throat, and breast, finely mottled yellowish-grey when fresh. From nape, heavy black-brown streaks form lines on yellow ground of mantle and scap-ulars; from breast, similar streaks form lines on pale yellow to greyish-white ground of lower chest and along flanks. Wings basically black but intricately patterned with whit-ish to orange-buff fringes and tips to median and greater coverts, tertials, and flight-feathers; effect is to create pale double wing-bar, pale edges to tertials and patches of more distinctly orange-yellow on overlapped greater coverts and along bases of secondaries and primaries. Underwing mostly pale yellow. Centre of rump yellow to orange, contrasting leu noticeably with rest of upperparts than in other Serinus. Tail almost black, with pale yellow-orange edges obvious on bases of outer feathers. In flight, appears very swarthy at front. Bill and legs dusky brown to black. ADULT FEMALE. Resembles ? but with smaller red patch on forehead, greyer cast to black plumage, and fully streaked rump. JUVENILE. Lacks adult\'s near-black fore-parts and red forecrown, having instead sooty-brown face, cheeks, and throat suffused pale orange-yellow to rufous, particularly on lore and below eye. Upperparts, including rump, streaked brown-black and tawny-buff; underperts tawny-buff when fresh and indistinctly streaked. Wing duller than In adult, with pale markings rufous (not yel-low) in tone. In moult to adult plumage, head and breast noticeably mottled black.Within Serinus, unmistakable at till ages, but beware confusion with (1) vagrant Redpoll C.flunmeu which also has usually red but occasionally paler orange forehead in adult plumage and can appear quite swarthy and heavily streaked at distance, and (a) Turkish race of Twite С flavirostris whose black-splashed chest and flanks recall young C. pusillus in tst autumn transitional plumage. Flight bouncing, apparently as S. serinus. Gelt s hop. Frequently feeds on ground, mixing freely with other finches.Song a pleasant and powerful outpouring of liquid notes, with full timbre recalling Goldfinch CarduelisCarduelis and lacking sibilant, sizzling quality of S. serinus. Call a rippled \'driillt\', recalling .V. serinus.Habitat. Breeds in south-east of west Palearctic, in middle and upper tree belts of mountains, subalpine meadows, and in wide and narrow ravines along rivers; in Caucasus, at 600-3000 m. Sings from upper branches of low birches Betula or pines Pinusx or rock ledges, but is often on ground or on stony or rooky terrain, nesting In rock crev-ices but occasionally In lower branches of juniper Juni-perus, rose Rosa, or other shrub. Occurs in RkoieJtndrw lone and among juniper, descending in winter to valleys of lower mountain tone, and in snowy conditions even to Coot hill plains and town orchards, but rarely travels far. Very trusting, visiting courtyards and streets of mountain villages, and feeding in vegetable gardens (Demendev and (Ghadkov 1054; Flint et aI. 1984). In central and western Afghanistan, found breeding at r. 1300-3300 m, in scrub within and above coniferous forest, and among scattered junipers on sparsely vegetated mountain slopes (Peludan I9S9). In Himalayas, breeds at 8400-4300 m, in summer frequenting dwarf junipers at and above treeline, rocky hillsides with stunted bushes, shingle screes, and birches and willows near cultivation. Winters at с (750)-1500-3300 m, frequenting open hillsides and stony ground with bushes and coarse herbage. Feeds mostly on ground; may be seen drinking and bathing at all times of day at any available water. (Ali and Ripley 1074.)Distribution and population. No information on changes.LEBANON. Apparently not proved to breed, but occurs in high parts of Lebanon range in autumn and winter (Vere Benson 1970). IRAQ. Probably breeds in north (Ctyroky 1987).Accidental. Austria, Greece (Chios), Cyprus, Egypt.Movements. Mainly altitudinal migrant.18Chiefly resident in Turkey, dispersing to lower altitudes in winter (mostly November-March), and more wide-spread then in southern coastlands (Beaman et al. 1975)1 recently recorded in autumn and winter as far west as Chios island off western Turkey (Br. Birds 1988, 81, tai; GI Handrinos); probably disperses more widely in eastern Turkey in winter than mapped here, but data lacking (R P Martins). Reaches Cyprus only exceptionally (Flint and Stewart 199a), but some Turkish birds move south inland, apparently especially in cold years, to winter locally in Syria, Lebanon, and northern and central Israel, chiefly above 800 m. Numbers in Israel vary greatly: rare or very rare in most years, but sometimes minor influxes occur, with small numbers reported from various areas; at main site, Baal Hazor (3i°59\'N 35°17\'E), 15 reported 1984-5, 8a 1986-7; singles appear irregularly in Jerusalem, but groups of up to so in 1966-7; exceptional as far south as southern Israeli deserts and Egypt. (Goodman and Mein» inger 1989; Shirihai in press.) Arrives in Israel from end of October to end of December, majority reaching winter sites December or beginning; of January; movement incon-spicuous, with occasional sightings of individuals or groups of 2 4 from scattered localities; most are ist-year birds. Spring movement through Israel (also incon-spicuous) from early February to mid-March, chiefly Feb-ruary. (Shirihai in press.)Mainly resident in Iran, with small numbers descending to Caspian lowlands in winter (D A Scott). Apparently irregular winter visitor to highlands of northern Iraq (Ticcliurst et al. 1921-3; Allouse 1953; Merchant and Macnab 1963; Ctyroky 1987).In north-west Himalayas, locally common below breed-ing range November-March (Whistler 1924; Ali and Ripley 1974); at Quetta (western Pakistan), flocks descend to plains in severe weather (Meinertzhagen 1930).In Caucasus, abundant after snowfall at lower altitudes in Severo-Osetinskaya ASSR and Kabardino-Balkarskaya ASSR (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954), In mountains of central Asia (Pamir-Alay, Tien Shan, Talasskly Alatau), rare in most breeding areas in winter; birds descend to lower mountain levels, foothills and adjacent plains, usu-ally moving not more than 50-70 km. Records and obse-¬vations of passage show that these altitudinal movements have no directional bias; in Kazakhstan, fairly regular in towns and settlements (e.g. Alma-Ata, Zaysan) in foothills north-west of breeding areas, and flocks sometimes reach Chu and Hi valleys; bird ringed 14 January 1977 at Alma-Ata, 43°i9\'N 76°5j\'E, recovered 1 March 1978 as far south as Kyzyl-Klya, 4o\"is\'N 7а°об\'Е. (Kovshar1 1966;Serinus pusiltm 501Korelov et al. 1974; Abdusalyamov 1977; Dobrynina 198a.) Numbers involved and extent of movement depend on severity of winter; at Bol\'shoe Almatinakoe lake in Tien Shan (within breeding range), 1971-5, reported fairly fre-quently only in mild winter of 1974-5, rarely m other years when common at low altitude in Alma-Ata (Kovshar* 1979); at wintering grounds on lower Vikhsh (Tad-ahikistan), few in 1940-1 though very numerous 1939-40 (Ivanov 1969). In Shakhdara valley (western Pamirs), where breeds in large numbers, only upper reaches are vacated in winter, though in extreme weather birds des-cend to lowest third of main valley; most such wintering birds are ist-ycars (Stepanyan 196o). Following post-breeding dispersal (when some birds aacend above breed-ing range), autumn migration begins September and main movement from mid-October, with few remaining in breeding areas by early November. Return movement gradual, beginning at first sign of spring, sometimes from and half of February but mostly in March, with main arrival on breeding grounds in April when last birds still in winter quarters. In 1959, birds appeared in breeding area in Kirgisskiy mountains as early as February, though renewed cold weather caused them to retreat again until and week of March. In Alma-Ata, latest records in 4 years 6-14 March. (Kuanetsov 196a; Kovshar\' 1966; Ivanov 1969; Korelov et al. 1974; Abdusalyamov 1977.) DPVFood. Almost all information extralimital. Seeds, fruits, and other plant material; sometimes small insects. Feeds on ground, in herbs, and in trees. Recorded in juniper Jiiiiiperus, birch Betula, alder Almis, and willow Selis (Meiklejohn 1948; Hollom 1955; Sutton and Gray 197a; Korelov et al. 1974; Desfayes and Praa 1978; Roberts 199a; Shirihai in press). Will forage gregariously all year (see Social Pattern and Behaviour), and described as very restless and animated forager (Geroudet 1963; Ali and Ripley 1974; Korelov et al. 1974; Roberts 199a). In south-em Turkey, of 74 birds watched in measured area, 51 staved for less than t min and none for more than 5 rnin, while some Serins 5. serinm remained for ao min (Sutton and Gray 1973). To get at seed-heads, will jump and flutter up from ground to snatch seeds from low herbs and grasses (Ali and Ripley 1974), or cling to stalk to pick at head (Sutton and Gray 197a), or stand on stem to bend it over and feed on head held under foot (Meiklejohn 1948). Very agile in trees; behaviour reminiscent of Siskin Car-iuelis spinas, at times hanging upside-down at ends of birch twigs to roach catkins (Korelov et at. 1974; Desfayes and Praa 1978). Picks seeds from snow or when softened In thawed patches (Korelov et «I. 1974; Kovshar\' 1970). Will fly some distance to sources of salt and minerals, some places being visited daily May-August (Kovshar1 1006; Korelov et al, 1974).Following recorded in diet. Invertebrates: aphids (Hamiptera: Aphldoidea). Seeds, fruits, and green parts of conifers (Conlfeiae, including spruce Pitea)t birch Betulu,alder Alnus, mulberry Moms, dock Rumex, duckweed Stellaria, barberry Berberis, kale Crambe, shepherd\'s purse Capsella, rocket Sisymbrium, Prunus, lady\'s mantle Alchemilla, rest-harrow Ononis, St John\'s wort Hypericum, Plectranthus and Coridothymus (Labiatae), elder Sambu-cus, thistles Carduus and Cirsium, fleabane Inula, worm¬wood Artemisia, dandelion Taraxacum, sawwort Saussurea, salsify Tragopogon, viper\'s grass Scorzonera, Cousinia, grasses Poa, Dactylis, Alopecurus. (Schiiz 1959; Geroudet 1963; Veger 1968; AH and Ripley 1974; Korelov etal. 1974; Kovshar\' 1979; Mycock 1987; Fergmann 1988; Roberts 1992.)Feeds principally on seeds of Cruciferae, Compositae, and grasses (Gramineae) (Kovshar\' 1979; Elzen 1983; Roberts 1992).In Kazakhstan, June-July, main food is unripe seeds or closed flower-heads of dock, salsify, viper\'s grass, and dandelion; in August, seeds of dock, shepherd\'s purse, lady\'s mantle, thistles and grasses; in January, 1 stomach contained Cruciferae seeds (Kovshar\' 1966,1979; Korelov et al. 1974). In summer, 4 of 25 stomachs contained insects (Korelov et al. 1974). In captivity, particularly fond of half-ripe seeds of chickweed, Cruciferae, Compositae, and grasses, as well as shoots and other green plant material (Bielfeld 1981); see also Senger (1977), Elzen (1983), Dathe (1986), and Magnusson (1988).Diet of young mostly seeds, but probably some insects (Roberts 1992). Important component in Kazakhstan is unripe seeds of dandelion (Kovshar\' 1979). In captivity, parent fed young seeds of Cruciferae and Compositae and also aphids (Veger 1968; Winkler 1979A; Fey 1982). внSocial pattern and behaviour. No detailed study; best is that by Kovshar\' (1-979) in Tien Shan mountains (central Asia).1. Sociable all year, but largest flocks outside breeding season (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954; Ivanov 1969). In Talasskiy Ala-tau mountains (Kazakhstan), following March arrival, typically in small flocks (up to 10) during April, flocking continuing during summer; feeding flocks can be of several tens, otherwise smaller during day, larger and mixed with other species (see below) by evening (Kovshar\' 1966, 1979). Further reports of small flocks during May in Turkey (Hollom 1955) and Iran (Meiklejohn 1948), large ones on alpine meadows of Zeravshan basin (central Asia) in June (Carruthers 19.10). Summer flocks in Kirgiziya mainly of o*c? (Yanushevich et al. i960). Flocking more pro¬nounced after fledging, birds then also moving to lower altitudes; occasionally up to 200-300 together in former USSR, and flocks of several thousand noted by late October or early November in Tadzhikistan. Winter flocks (sometimes of juveniles only) repor¬ted from various localities in former USSR. (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954; Kovshar\' 1966, 1979; Stepanyan 19696; Korelov et al. 1974; Abdusalyamov 1977; Reber 1988.) For winter counts of birds per km\' or along i-km stretches, see (e.g.) Vtorov (1967, 197a), Abdusalyamov (1977), Shukurov (1986). In Israel, aver¬age flock size 11; up to 82 in stormy conditions; juveniles appar¬ently have greater tendency to flock than adults (Fergman 1988). Often associates for feeding with Serin S. serinus and other Fringillidae (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954, Kovshar\' 1966; Fergman 1988; Hollom el al. 1988; Roberts 1992); in Israel, lesscommonly also with Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra (Fergman 1988). BONDS. Nothing to suggest mating system other than monogamous. Pair-formation evidently takes place in flocks, as in many Fringillidae (E N Panov), and pair-bond strong (Demen¬tiev and Gladkov 1954; Korelov et al. 1974). Incubation by ? alone (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954; Reber 1988), but young fed by both sexes (Abdusalyamov 1977; also Fey 1982 for captive birds), mainly by tf after leaving nest (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954); study of captive birds suggested brood divided between parents (Winkler 1992). Parental post-fledging care of at least 1 week suggested by Korelov et al. (1974) and Abdusalyamov (1977), but $ seen feeding brood 16 days out of nest (Kovshar\' 1979); captive young fledged at с. г weeks and independent within с 5 weeks, though self-feeding to some extent before this (Fey 1982). Of s captive birds (3 &J, 2 $$), 1 $ first bred at 1 year (Fey 1982); both members of another captive breeding pair were also i-year-olds (Winkler 1992). BREEDING DISPERSION. In Pakistan, often \'semi-colonial\' (Roberts 1992); suggests existence of neighbourhood groups, as does report from central Caucasus, where nests \'close together\'—e.g. 2 c. 4-5 m apart and several more pairs in area (Boehme 1958); in Kazakhstan, pairs separated by с 50-150 m (Korelov et al. 1974). Known to defend nest, but little information on establishment or size of territory (see, however, Antagonistic Behaviour, below); most feeding appar¬ently done far from nest (Ivanov 1969), and thus outside territ¬ory, e.g. up to several hundred metres away in Talasskiy Alatau (Kovshar\' 1979). Limited information on density exclusively from mountains of central Asia: in Tien Shan, 10 birds per km* (Vtorov 1967), or (data for 2 years in each of 5 areas) 8-400 birds per km* (Shukurov 1986); in Zeravshanskiy range (Tad¬zhikistan), 40-50 pairs per km\" in juniper Juniperus forest (Abdu¬salyamov 1977, which see for further counts, not necessarily all true nesting densities, in various localities and habitats). Long-term site-fidelity in Kazakhstan confirmed by ringing: e.g. ist-year ringed October and re trapped in August after 5 years (Dobrynina 1982); 2 records of juveniles retrapped at or near ringing site in following year, but juveniles generally less site-faithful than adults (Kovshar\' 1979). ROOSTING. Nocturnal and (at least for part of year) communal; in trees or shrubs, e.g. in Tadzhikistan, in tall, dense juniper shrubs (Abdusalyamov 1977), or, in winter, in deciduous trees which have retained some leaves (Stepanyan 19696). In Pakistan, recorded roosting on ground, amongst rocks and boulders (T J Roberts). In Tur-kestanskiy range (Tadzhikistan), early May, active from first light (c. 05.30 hrs), feeding in flocks up to <r, 11.00-12.00 hrs, then flying (sometimes long distance) to water (Abdusalyamov 1977); flocks and pairs also regularly visit clay banks and build¬ings to take salt (Korelov et al. 1974; Kovshar\' 1979). Birds roost in juniper shrubs, or seek shade under rocks (etc.), during hottest part of day; after evening feeding bout (f. 17.00-18.00 hrs to dusk), settle in shrubs for night (Abdusalyamov 1977).2. Some reports suggest little fear of man, birds coming into mountain villages or perching on tents (Carruthers 1910; Shn-itnikov 1949; Dementiev and Gladkov 1954)- In contrast, April flocks in Kashmir shy and restless (Whistler 19226). FLOCK BEHAVIOUR. Flying flocks typically dense and compact, per¬forming synchronous, sometimes complex evolutions (Salikhbaev and Bogdanov 1967; Korelov et al. 1974); 2 large flocks in Kash¬mir, April, loose and straggling, birds breaking away then rejoin¬ing others when disturbed (Whistler 19226). Birds give frequent Ripple-calls (see 2 in Voice) both in flight and when feeding on ground; typically restless; will perch (including when disturbed) on bare tops of trees or shrubs, flock then giving rapid chorus of Ripple-calls (Hollom 1955; Ali and Ripley 1974; Roberts 190л; T J Roberts). Feeding flocks off. 30 in Iran, May, always broke up and flew off in pairs when disturbed (Mciklejohn 1948). March flocks in USSR fairly compact (minimum individual dis-tance 20-30 cm); both males conflicts and courtship occur, dis-plays being accompanied by chorus of song and calls (E N Panov). See Song-display, Antagonistic Behaviour, and Het-erosexual Behaviour (below). Early-May flocks of 50-60 in Tad-jikistan noisy when settling to roost (Abdusalyamov 1977). SONG-DISPLAY. Sings (see 1 in Voice) from perch (rock, tree, etc.) or in flight (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954; Boehme 1958; Kovshar\'1979); in Kashmir, late April, in undergrowth accord-ing to Whistler (19226). Characteristic is communal singing and display (apparently linked to pair-formation) of up to 4 males from perch or on ground when fem. nearby (similar when lone male displaying to fem.): each mal. sings, droops and partly spreads wings, fans and slightly raises tail, and prominently ruffles red crown (Fig A); may crouch, also turn body or head to left and right in front of another m., or birds circle one another while singing. Usually ends with whole flock taking off suddenly. (Demendev and Gladkov 1954; Boehme 1958; Kovshar\' 1979; Roberts 1992; E N Panov.) Singing in flight also frequent: individual m. may take off singing after display on ground or perch as described, hover over f.. for с 15-30 s, then descend with rapid wing-beats and land next to her (Boehme 1958; Korelov et al. 1974), or glide down onto rock, ruffling crown feathers on landing (Kov-shar* 1966; Sutton and Gray 1972). In longer Song-flights, bird flies (apparently in straight line) with wings and tail fully spread, wings beaten steadily to с. 150 above and below horizontal, sometimes more shallow and quivering; may ascend slighdy dur-ing flight, then drop down again, in undulating pattern (E N Panov), or Song-flight may appear slow-motion and wavering, bird breaking into it from normal flight (Hollom 1955). Not clear whether report (by Meiklejohn 1948) of m. singing frequently \'while jumping up and down in the air\' refers to brief Song-flight or leaps from perch; no other similar descripdons. In Tadji-kistan, flocks of 6-8 fly to trees after feeding bout and start to sing around midday; some m. sing during day-loafing (Abdusalyamov 1977). Singing and associated displays continue for some weeks before nesting (Roberts 1992). In mountains of central Asia, song-period end of March to early August; marked variation in activity of individual etc?, but much song noted during nest-building (early June) in Talasskiy Alatau; song in July-August no less vigorous than in May-June (Kovshar* 1966, 1979); may cease with hatching (Abdusalyamov 1977). Capdve m. sang from mid-January, full song from early February (Winkler 19796). ANTAGONISTIC BEHAVIOUR. Highly sociable and rarely aggressive towards conspecific birds, even near nest; one record of m. attack-ing another that was singing within с 30 m of first\'s nest; other species (e.g. tics Parus, warblers Phylloscopus) are chased out of nest-tree (Kovshar\' 1979). Capdve juvenile subordinate to adult for feeding and roosting faced older bird with plumage ruffled when it sang nearby (Winkler 19796). Frequent song-duels noted between 2 m. of capdve pairs (Winkler 1992). Displays and postures of antagonistic and heterosexual significance (no clear distinction) include opening and shivering wings (to varying extent), also holding tail horizontal or often raised, and some-times quite widely fanned; bird may sway from side to side in posture shown in Figs Aand (also moving sideways on perch) B, while nodding movements performed in posture shown in Fig С(Е N Panov); in Turkey, early May, bird displaying thus was chased away by another (Hollom 1955). HETEROSEXUAL BEHA-VIOUR. (1) General. In Caucasus, pair-formation from early May (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954); in Tien Shan, most birds in pairs by end of April or May (Kovshar\' 1966, 1979); see also Flock Behaviour (above) for report from Iran in May of birds keeping together as pairs in flocks. (2) Pair-bonding behaviour. For further details of displays and posture, in some cases prob-ably associated with pair-formation, see Song-display and Ant-agonistic Behaviour (above). Pairs may leave flock after pair-formation, though 2-3 pairs sometimes remain together (E N Panov). Captive f. chased m. when she left nest, m. displaying by drooping wings and flicking tail (Winkler 19796). (3) Courtship-feeding and mating. m. sometimes feeds f. before cop-ulation, f. first giving Begging-call (see 5 in Voice)and wing-shivering, then crouching (Korelov ;/ al. 1974); m. mounts and copulates, after which both fly off (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954). In Talasskiy Alatau mountains, copulation noted 9-1.0 June (Kovshar* 1966). Captive f. soliciting intensively caused m. to hide, but further pressure from f. (temporary reversal of dom-inance roles) eventually elicited symbolic Courtship-feeding (no food seen to be transferred). Incipient copulatory behaviour (one soliciting, the other hovering over it) noted in captive birds at 30 days old. (Winkler 19796.) m. also regularly feeds ? on nest: in Tien Shan, one m. fed mate 4 times in 4 hrs during which f. left nest twice (each time for 3 min) (Kovshar\' 1979); see also Fey (1982) for captive birds. (4) Nest-site selection and behaviour at nest. Site apparendy chosen by both pair-members, birds keep-ing close together during period before building and flying from one shrub or tree to another. Nest built by f., occasionally with some assistance by m. (Kovshar\' 1979; Reber 1988); captive m. seen flying about with nest-material (Fey I982) displsylng with drooped wings, itio calling (not dosoribsd) (FROM new site , evid-ently attempting to encourage f. (feeding young) to start and nest (Winkler 1970*)- Usually, m. stays within c., 10-30 m of nest»bulldtni f., singing or silently watching her may accompanyher, rspecially on llonger excursions lor material (up 300 m or more). Up to 3 days botween nast-compledon and laying, or laying may even start before noat completed. (Kovshar 1979),m. and f. similarly кeeр close company when lncubatlng f. leaves nest to feed or drink (Abduselyamov 1977). RELATION WITHIN FAMILY GROUP f. broods young intensively for first few days (Kovshar* 1979) at nest in Tian Shan, decreasingly up to day 11 (Kydyraliev 1971). In initial period after hatching,,m. brings food, regurgitating it into f. sublingual pouch, f then dis triburing it to young (Kydyraliav 1972; Kovshar11979) see also Fey (1982) fot captive birds. Captive f. rearing young alone m. removed) carried away nestling faces up to 11 12 days, but left them on nest-rim thereafter (Winkler 1979). Young fledge at 14 17 days (Demantiav and Gladkov I954 Kydyraliev 1972 Korelov et al 1974 Kovshar11979). ANTI-PREDATOR RESPONSES OF YOUNG. One brood left nest prematurely (at 12 days) when observer approached (Kuinatsov 1962. PARENTAL ANTI-PREDATOR STRATEGIES, F. a tight sitter (Korelov 1974), especially close to hatching (Kuinetsov 1962). On Zaravshan river, attacked man fearlessly (no further dataisa) whan eggs were being removed (Carruther1910). (Figs by D Nurney from drawings by E N Panov.) MGW Voice. Much in common with Serin s.serinus and certain carduelis finches. Freely used, at least in breeding season; no Information for winter. Сalls of ADULTS, (1) Song of m. Attractive and molodi-ous, rapid and continuous, hlgh pitched bubbling twitter, with frequently Interspersed ripples or (at times slightly hoerse), \'trills\' of varying length (some similar to call 2), end hoarse \"kveeh\' sounds; powerful outpouring delivery (Whistler 1922 Meiklejohn 1048; Dementiev end Glad-kov 1954.; Ali and Ripley 1974 Kovshar11979 Hollom at al, 1988. Parts of song rendered tsi-tsn-teeh-tsi-tit-tit, also some discrete, but rapidly delivered, short and lower-pitched whistles, t-ri-ri-ri--ri-ri-ri (Roberts 1992). Recalls song of Linnet Мм (though that species typically has more buzzy units: W T С Seale) and Goldfinch C. carduelis also reminiscent of S.serinus, t but lacks its siibilant, sizzlling quality (Hollom 1955 Svensaon 1984, Mild 1987 Hollom 1988),contra Sutton and Gray (1972), lower pitched than S. serinus (W T С Scale); less variable, softer in timbre, and with more rapid and prolonged \'trills\' than С. carduelis (Roberta in press). Recording from Iran contain! tittering, rippling, and twittering sounds (at times luggeiting long of Swallow Hirundo Rustica also short purrs; several units have nasal quality end song is especially rich in diads (best example in Fig I is longest unit); in series of brief units not all of which are diadic, apparently a tendency for series to itart with diads. Rate of delivery of song changes considerably from relatively slow at start of recording (Fig I) to extremely rapid nearer end (Fig II), very rapidly delivered sections having attractive liquid quality. (W T С Scale, M Q Wilson.) Song given in flight and (more developed) from perch (Hollom 1955). Short, rather weak song given by captive f (Fey 1982). (2) Ripple-call. Short, or aometimes longer, bubbling tremolo or high-pitched, soft, rippling twitter, resembling equivalent call of S. serinus (see call 2 of that species), but more delicate, weaker, and softer, with \'singing\' tnd slightly nasal or metallic sound (Meiklejohn 1948; Dementiev end Gladkov 1954, Svensson 1984; Braun 1986; Mild 1987; Fergman 1988, Roberts in press; WTC Scale). Ripple-call given in flight and on ground or perch; serves for contact, perhaps also signals excitement or alarm. Record-ing contains liquid tremolos, longer calls in particular descending in pitch (see Hollom 1955). notes (of which first few are diadic) shown in Fig Ш form delightful silvery cascade (WTC .Scale). Ripple-cell difficult to transcribe, very roughly rendered \'prrrrrrreee\' or soft, tinkling \'frrrr\'.In another recording, fig. IV, a birds calling, apart from nasal sounds, and wing-noises following 1st of these, other sounds llustrated are typical ripple units and presumed shorter variant same.Breeding.SEASON. Turkey: April-Yuly. Eggs laid mid. april. Caucasis: eggs laid and half of Mai, and clutch in July. Iran: nest-building recorded mid-May at 1000 m. In dense bush or tree, generally growing at top or on ledge of inaccessible cliff, or high up, etc. tiev and Gladkov 1954; Boehme 1958; AH and Ripley 1974; Korelov et al. 1974; Kovshar\' 1979; Roberts 1992). Report of nests on open ledges disputed by Kovshar\' (1979). Very often in juniper jfuniperus, in tall as well as in stunted or creeping forms; also commonly in rose Rosa or bramble Rubus bushes (Carruthers 1910; Hue and Etchecopar 1970; Ali and Ripley 1974; Korelov et al. 1974; Kovshar\' 1979; Roberts 1992), In one area of Talasskiy Alatau mountains (Kazakhstan), all of 40 nests in spruce Picea at 17-19 m above ground; 54% at less than 4 m, 28% 4-10 m, and 18% 10-19 m; most nests on branches 0-2-3 m from trunk, some by trunk near top of tree (Kov-shar\' 1979). Nest: neat and compact, appearing large and thick-walled for size of bird; foundation of dry grass, bark strips, stalks, moss, lichen, and sometimes twigs, lined thickly with plant down, feathers, etc., spiders\' webs often incorporated (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954; Himmer 1967; Veger 1968; Hue and Etchecopar 1970; Korelov et al. 1974; Kovshar\' 1979; Roberts 1992); nests recorded with foundation only of juniper bark (Carruthers 1910); 6 nests, Kazakhstan, had outer diameter 78-103 mm, inner diameter 42-52 mm, overall height 44-70 mm, depth of cup 25-44 mm, and weight 6-4-12-4 g (Korelov et al. 1974; Kovshar\' 1979). Building: by f only, accompanied by m; rarely, m helps with bringing of material or even with building (Nicolai i960; Korelov et al. 1974; Kovshar\' 1979); captive m also recorded carrying material (Winkler 1979; Fey 1982). One nest in the wild took 13 days to build (Kovshar\' 1979, which see for details), but in cap-tivity 2-7 days (Winkler 1979; Fey 1982). EGGS. See Plate 60. Short sub-elliptical, smooth and faintly glossy; bluish-white, sparsely flecked, with pink or reddish-brown to purple-black scrawls, speckles, and blotches, mostly at broad end; sometimes unmarked (Hue and Etchecopar 1970; Harrison 1975; Makatsch 1976). 17-2 x 12-6 mm (15-2-19-0 x 11-5-14-0), n = 70; calculated weight 1-43 g (Schonwetter 1984). For eggs from Kazakhstan, see Kor-elov et al. (1974) and Kovshar\' (1979). Clutch: 3-5. In Talasskiy Alatau, of 22 clutches: 3 eggs, 5%; 4, 50%; 5, 45%; average 4-4 (Kovshar\' 1979). In Himalayas, of 9 clutches: 3 of 3 eggs, 5 of 4, 1 of 5; average 3-8 (Hue and Etchecopar 1970). Clutches of 5 rare in Pakistan (Roberts 1992). Laying can begin before completion of nest, or up to 3 days after (Kovshar\' 1979); 5 days recorded in cap-tivity (Winkler 1979A); eggs laid daily (Korelov et al. 1974; Fey 1982). Often 2 broods (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954; Boehme 1958; Scheifler 1968; Veger 1968), though no proof of 2nd brood in Kazakhstan, according to Kovshar\' (1979). INCUBATION. 11-16 days, depending on how cal-culated (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954; Korelov et al. 1974; Kovshar\' 1979); с. 13 days in captivity, starting with 3rd egg (of 5) in one case (Winkler 1979/;; Fey 1982). In the wild, said to start after 1st egg (Kovshar\' 1979» which see for incubation stints). By f only (Veger 1968; Korelov et al. 1974; Kovshar\' 1979; Fey 1982). YOUNG. Fed and cared for by both parents; faeces left on nest-rim after nestlings с ii days old (Winkler 1979A; Fey 1982) For brooding, see Kovshar\' (1979). FLEDGING TO MATURITY Fledging period 14-16 days (Kovshar\' 1979; Winkler 1979*; Fey 1982). Captive young first picked up seeds at с. з weeks old and still fed by parent at 5 weeks (Winkler 1979*; Fey 1982), but independent at 3-4 weeks in the wild according to Dementiev and Gladkov (1954) and Kovshar\' (1979). BREEDING SUCCESS. In Talasskiy Alatau average brood 3-7 (я = 5), 84% of average clutch; 4% of 67 eggs infertile. High rate of nest failure: 60% of 25 nests with eggs produced no young; 48% predated, mainly by Magpie Pica pica and squirrels (Sciuridae), at least 8% of broods lost due to weather. (Kovshar\' 1979.)Plumages. ADULT MALE. In fresh plumage (autumn), forehead and forecrown glistening flame-orange to scarlet-red, forming contrasting rounded or squarish patch с 9-12 mm long. Nasal bristles dark grey-brown or black-brown, remainder of head as well as all neck and chin to chest deep sooty-black, each feather narrowly fringed pale yellow or grey, partly concealing black on hindneck, side of neck, and chest. Mantle, scapulars, and back black, feathers broadly fringed bright yellow on mantle and inner scapulars, paler yellow or yellow-white on outer scapulars and back. Centre of rump uniform flame-orange, orange-yellow, or golden-yellow for 10-15 mm, sides black with golden-yellow and white feather-fringes. Upper tail-coverts black, broadly fringed yellow on sides and white on tips. Side of breast, flank, upper belly, and side of belly pale yellow, each feather with broad black central spot or streak; yellow ground-colour paler towards rear of body, yellow-white or off-white, dark streaks greyer and less sharply-defined towards rear, mid-belly and vent yellowish-white with faint grey or yellow streaking. Under tail-coverts orange-yellow or bright yellow, often paler on lateral coverts and on tips of longest. Tail black, tip of each feather contrastingly fringed white, fringes broader and grading to orange-yellow or bright yellow towards bases, except on outermost feather (t6). Flight-feathers greyish-black (darkest on tip of outer webs, paler grey along borders of inner webs); primaries with contrastingly white fringe on tip and bright yellow or orange-yellow fringe along outer web; outer web of secondaries broadly bordered yellow at base (forming pale bar across inner wing), tawny or pink-cinnamon at terminal third, border black on middle portion. Tertials black with broad golden-buff or pink-cinnamon outer border, grading into white fringe on tip. Greater upper primary coverts and bastard wing black with narrow yellow fringe along outer web and narrow white fringe along tip, except for longest feather of bastard wing. Greater upper wing-coverts black, broadly bordered orange-yellow or golden-yellow along terminal half of outer web, merging into white fringe along tip; lesser and median coverts orange-yellow or golden-yellow, bases with some (mainly concealed) black, tips narrowly fringed white when plumage quite fresh. Under wing-coverts and axillaries yellow, longer coverts pale grey with broad white fringes. Bleaching-and wear have marked effect. In worn plumage (about April-May), pale tips of black feathers of head, neck, and chest worn off, these fully sooty or greyish black with strongly contrasting scarlet to orange patch on forehead and fore-crown; yellow to off-white fringes of mantle, scapulars, back, and upper tail-coverts partly worn off, narrower, broad black streaking predominant, not as evenly streaked black-and-yellow as in fresh plumage; yellow on underpays partly worn off also, black of chest «tending into broad and conspicuous black streaks along side of breast, flank,and tide of belly. When heavily worn (June-July), yellow or whitish fringes of mantle, scapulars, upper tail-coverts, side of breast, tips of primaries, tertials, and greater upper wing-coverts virtually completely worn off, rump and leaser and median upper wing-coverts heavily spotted black, fringes along terminal part of outer web of secondaries bleached to white and partly worn off, bird appearing much blacker than in fresh plumage. ADULT FEMALE. Like adult m, but flame-orange to scarlet patch on forehead on average smaller, forming band across forehead off. 6-8 mm wide; rump distinctly less bright, yellow with grey or black streaks, not as extensively and uniform orange to golden yellow on centre as in , J; black of head, neck, and chut slightly greyer, pale tips of feathers broader, hindneck, side of neck, and lower chest less dark in fresh plumage than in adult m. fringes along bases of tail-feathers, primaries, and upper wing-coverts bright yellow to golden-yellow, not as orange-yellow as in some m; under tail-coverts yellow or yellow-white. In worn plumage, when much yellow of feather-fringes worn off, as extensively black as adult m, but patch on forehead on average narrower; black of head, neck, and chest greyer, less sooty; yellow of rump and under tail-coverts paler and more restricted. NESTLING. Down short, fairly plentiful, on upperparts, upper wing, thigh, and vent; pale grey (Ticehurst 1926). JUVENILE. Nasal bristles pale grey-brown or buff. Forehead and forecrown sooty-brown, feathers narrowly fringed grey-brown; remainder or crown, hindneck, and side of head and neck warm rufous-brown, sometimes faintly streaked or spotted grey. Lore and patch below eye pale buff with grey and white mottling. Entire upperparts backward from mantle closely streaked dull black and tawny-buff; dark streaks most pronounced on lower mantle and scapulars, least on rump. Lower cheek, chin, and upper throat buff-yellow or pale sulphur-yellow, finely speckled dusky grey, merging into rufous-brown of lower throat, side of breast, and cheat; some grey of feather-bases shining through, especially on chest, some faint short dark grey streaks sometimes visible on aide of breast and (very faintly) chest. Flank, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts tawny-buff (if plumage fresh) to cream-white (if worn), upper belly, flank, and under tail-coverts marked with ill-defined dark grey streaks. Tail as adult, but fringes along tips of feathers ringed pale pink-cinnamon and fringes along bases pale yellow or yellow, lets orangey than in some adult m. Flight-feathers and tertials as adult, but fringes along tips of primaries and tertials and along terminal halves of outer webs of tertials pale vinous-cinnamon, not as white as in adult. Lesser, median, and greater upper wing-coverts sooty-black, outer webs of greater coverts and broad tips to all coverts vinous-cinnamon or pink-cinnamon (in adult, yellow); extreme tips of greater cov¬erts bleach to white when plumage worn. Sexes almost identical, but head of m more uniform brown than in f. less streaked with black; throat blacker in m, browner in f. FIRST ADULT NON-BREEDiNG. Body and lesser and median upper wing-coverts like adult. Head and neck variable, either still juvenile, largely rufous-brown, or mixture of juvenile (especially on part of crown and ear-coverts, here conspicuously rufous-brown, and on part of throat, buffer yellow) and ist non-breeding plumage, which is similar to adult breeding, but without red or orange-red on forehead and fore-crown: new feathering dull black or black-brown with narrow buff-brown feather-fringes. Flight-feathers, tail, tertials, greater upper primary coverts, and variable number of greater upper wing-coverts still juvenile; tips of tail-feathers and primary coverts often more pointed than in adult, more worn at same time of year; tertials and part of greater upper wing-coverts with pink-cinnamon fringes, contrasting with brighter orange-yellow fringes of new coverts, if any (in adult, fringes of tertials and greater coverts more extensively golden yellow, grading to vinous-pink or white on tips); however, pink-cinnamon of fringe* at all ages often bleached to white by mid-winter, especially on tertiale. A few red feathery appear among juvenile ar ist adult non-breeding plumage of forehead from mid-October to March onwards. FIRST ADULT BREEDING. Like adult breeding, and sometime! hardly distinguishable. Some birds show fully red forehead of adult breeding by November, others not until April; some rufous-brown juvenile feathering on part of crown, cheek, or ear-coverts sometimes present up to late March. Tail, flight-feathers, and greater upper primary coverts still juvenile, more worn and more pointed at tip than in adult at same rime of year; some tertials and outer greater coverts often still juvenile, fringes of tertials bleached to white, those of greater coverts pale cinnamon to off-white without or with limited amount of golden-yellow.Bare parts. ADULT, FIRST ADULT. Iris dark brown. Bill very dark brown to black, base of lower mandible paler brown, gape whitish. Leg and foot dark brown, black-brown, or black. (Har-tert 1903-10; BMNH, ZMA.) NESTLING. Skin pale flesh with red cast; mouth and tongue pale pink, tinged violet on palate. Gape-flanges and cutting edges of bill yellow-white, bordered by narrow black line inside. Bill pale grey. (Neufeldt 1970.) JUVENILE. Iris dark brown. Bill dark brown. Leg and foot black. (Sharpe 1988; BMNH.)Moults. ADULT POST-BREEDING. Complete; primaries descend-ent. In USSR, starts from mid-July (Oementiev and Gladkov 1954); \'n Iran and Afghanistan, also from mid-July, completed by or before end of October (Vaurie 1949*) In Kopet-Dag (western Turkmeniya), single а had just started on 6 July (prim¬ary moult score 6) (RMNH). In northern Iran, pair in full moult on 26 August (Oiesselhorst 1962). Moult not started in Afghanistan up to 25 July (Paludan 1959) or in 6 birds from western Himalayas on 15-17 July (ZMA). POST-JUVENILE. Par-rial: head, body, lesser, median, and variable number of greater upper wing-coverts, and sometimes a few tertials or ti (AH and Ripley 1974; RMNH, ZMA). Starts late July in USSR (Demen-ticv and Gladkov 1954), completed late September to early Octo¬ber in Iran and Afghanistan (Vaurie 1949/;; Paludan 1959). Birds in full juvenile plumage examined throughout late June to late October; in September-October, body and lesser and median upper wing-coverts generally like adult breeding, but head either juvenile or in mixed juvenile and ist adult non-breeding plumage (latter like adult, but red of forecrown and forehead replaced by sooty). Some red feathers appear on forehead from mid-October, but usually December-January; some srill without red on cap until late March; occasionally birds show full red cap by Novem¬ber, but many others not until February-March. (BMNH, RMNH, ZMA.)Measurements. ADULT, FIRST ADULT. Wing and bill to skull of (1) Asia Minor and northern Iraq, (a) Caucasus, (3) Elburz mountains (northern Iran) and Kopet-Dag and Bol\'shoy Balkhan mountains (western Turkmeniya), (4) Afghanistan to Tien Shan mountains, (5) western Himalayas; other measurements combined, whole year; skins (BMNH, RMNH, ZMA: A J van Loon, С S Roselaar). Bill (S) to skull, bill (N) to distal corner of nostril; exposed oilmen on sverage 3-3 ahorter than bill to skull.