220 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



"In the preceding diagnosis I have combined a number of forms, 

 all agreeing in the length and acuteness of the wing, the bristly 

 feathers along the base of the bill, the absence of conspicuous 

 bristles on the sides of the mouth, and the shortness of the feet. 

 They are all strongly marked and brightly colored birds, and usu- 

 ally belong to the more northern regions. 



"The bill is very variable, even in the same genus, and its shape 

 is to a considerable extent of specific rather than of generic im- 

 portance. The fringe of short bristles along the base of the bill, 

 concealing the nostrils, is not appreciable in Plectrophanes [=Plectro- 

 plienax] (except in P. nivalis}, but the other characteristics given 

 above are all present." (Hist. N. Am. B.) 



GENERA. 



A. Bill enormously large and stout; the lateral outline as long as that of the skulL Cul- 

 men gently curved. 



Colors greenish, yellow, and black. 



Coccothraustes. First quill equal to the second. Wings one half longer than the tail. 

 Lateral claws equal, reaching to the base of the middle claw. Claws much curved, 

 obtuse ; hinder one but little longer than the middle. 



B. Bill smaller, with the culmen more or less curved; the lateral outline not so long as 

 the skull. Wings about one third longer than the tail, or a little more; first quill shorter 

 than the second. Claws considerably curved and thickened; hinder most so, and almost 

 inappreciably longer or even shorter than the middle anterior one. Tarsus shorter than 

 the middle toes. Lateral toes unequal. 



a. Colors plain gray and Hack, never streaked; breast red in the male of some species. 



Pyrrhula. Bill excessively swollen; as broad and as high as long, not half length of 

 head; upper outline much curved. Tail-coverts covering two thirds the tail, which 

 is nearly even; middle and hinder claws about equal. 



b. Colors reddish in the male, plain grayish or streaked brown and white in the female. 



Pinicola. Bill moderately swollen; longer than high or broad, upper outlines much 

 curved; the tip hooked. Tail-coverts reaching over basal half of tail, which is nearly 

 even. Middle claw longer than the hind; outer lateral claw extending beyond base of 

 middle (reaching to it in Pyrrhula and Carpodacus). Female and young not streaked. 

 Carpodacus. Bill variable, always more or less curved and swollen; longer than high 

 or broad; the tip not hooked. Tail-coverts reaching over two thirds the tail, which is 

 decidedly forked. Middle and hind claw about equal. Female and young streaked. 



c. Colors black and and yellow in the male. 



Spinus. Bill nearly straight. Hind claw stouter and more curved, but scarcely 

 longer than the middle anterior one. Outer lateral toe reaching a little beyond the 

 base of the middle claw; shorter than the hind toe. Wings longer and more pointed. 

 Tail quite deeply forked. 



C. Hind claw considerably longer than the middle anterior one, with about the same 

 curvature; claws attenuated towards the point, and acute. Lateral toes about equal. 

 Wings usually almost one half longer than the tail, which is deeply forked. Tarsus 

 shorter than middle toe. 



