FRINGILLID.E. 



241 



SUB-FAMILY III. 



Taxagrix.e. 



The Tanager 



Gen. Chaeac. — Bill more or less triangular at the base, with the culmen more 

 or less arched to the tip, which is more or less emarginated ; the wings 

 moderate and somewhat pointed ; the tarsi and toes short and slender, the 

 hind toe rather lengthened and strong, with the claws strong and curved. 



Fig. 100.— the eed-headed pyranga. 



(Pi/runga ruhiceps.) 



The Tanager s are distiiiguislied from the other 

 Finches by their bill having a distinct and well- 

 defined notch near the end of the npper mandible. 

 They are all natives of the warmer parts of America^ 

 abounding most in those regions which lie nearest 

 to the equinoctial line. They are in general small 

 birds, the largest being intermediate in size between 

 a sparrow and a thrush, while the majority do not 

 exceed the size of a linnet : some are smaller. It is 



