103 



T E I B E I Y. 



CONIROSTRES. 



This numerous division comprehends many well- 

 known families, distinguished by their short, thick, 

 conical bill, which is stronger and stouter in pro- 

 portion as they feed more exclusively on seeds.* 

 They are most numerous in temperate and cold 

 climates, of which they are generally permanent 

 inhabitants. 



The bill of the conirostral birds varies a good 

 deal in length and thickness, and is sometimes more 

 or less curved. The tip of the upper mandible is 

 generally straight, and its margin unarmed ; never- 

 theless, in some of the forms most nearly allied to 

 the preceding section, the edges of the upper man- 

 dible are notched near the extremity, and the tip 

 itself is slightly hooked. The food of the majority 

 of the species belonging to this group, especially 

 those with straight and stout conical bills, consists 

 principally of seeds, for breaking which this form of 

 beak is peculiarly adapted. There are, however, few, 

 if any of them, which do not live partially on animal 

 food, such as insects and their larvse, whilst some 

 appear to devour almost anything fitted to afford 

 them nourishment. 



* See Animal Creation, p. 428. 



