98 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



The eggs of this species are of an oval shape, one end being only a little 

 less rounded than tlie otlier. Their average measurement is one incli in 

 length by .80 in breadth. Their ground-color is a dull chalky-white, over 

 wliicli are distributed well-defined blotches of a light umber-brown, and also 

 a number of indistinct markings of pvirple. The spots are pretty uniform 

 in these colors, but vary greatly in size and distribution. In some eggs they 

 largely consist of fine dots, in others they are in bold blotches. In some tlie 

 brown is more confluent and the effect that of a deeper shade. 



Gexus CARDINALIS, Boxap. 



Cardiiialis, Bonaparte, Saggio di una distribuzione metod. dci Aiiimagli Vertebrati, 1831 

 (Agassiz). (Tj'pe, Loxia cardinalis, LiXN.) 



GrES. Char. Bill enormously large ; culinen very slightly cur\-ed, commissure sinuated ; 

 lower jaw broader than the length of the gon3's, considerably wider than the upper jaw, 

 about as deep as the latter. Tarsi longer than middle toe ; outer toe rather the longer, 

 reaching a little beyond the base of the middle one ; hind toe not so long. Wings 



Cardinalis virginianus. 



moderate, reaching over the basal third of the exposed part of the tail. Four outer quills 

 graduated ; the first equal to the secondaries. Tail long, decidedly longer than the wings, 

 considerably graduated ; feathers broad, truncated a little obliquely at tlie end, the corners 

 rounded. Colors red. Head crested. 



The essential characters of this genus are the crested head ; very large 

 and thick bill extending far back on the forehead, and only moderately 

 curved above ; tarsus longer tlian middle toe ; much graduated wings, the 

 first primary equal to the secondary quills ; the long tail exceeding the 

 mngs, broad and much graduated at the end. 



Of this genus, only two species are known, one of tliem Ijeing exclusively 

 South American, the other belongiu" to Xorth America, but in different retjions 

 modified into representative races. They may be defined as follows. 



