CHAPTER V. 

 Family Fringillidse. Finches, &c. 



This is the largest North American family and 

 comprehends nearly one-eighth of all our birds. 

 It is the most extensive group in ornithology, and 

 represents in round numbers 500 current species 

 and i GO genera in nearly all parts of the world, 

 except Australia; but in the northern hemisphere 

 and throughout America, it attains its greatest 

 development. Any locality of the United States 

 of average attractiveness, has its avifauna over 200 

 species; and, at a distance from the sea-coast 

 unoccupied by marine birds, one-fourth of its 

 species are Sylmtolidce and Fringillida together, 

 the latter in excess. 



The FringillidcB represent more particularly 

 what used to be designated u conirostral' birds. 

 Their bill approaches nearest to the ideal cone, 

 and unites great strength with delicacy of touch. 



The cone is sometimes nearly expressed, but 

 often turgid and conoidal; convex in most direc- 

 tions and so contracted as to become concave in 

 some of its outlines. Nostrils are ordinarily ex- 

 posed, but in many northern genera the base of 

 the bill is provided with a ruff and two tufts of 

 antrorse feathers which more or less cover the 

 opening; cutting edges slightly notched, but 



