FRINGILLID.E. 



243 



SUB-FAMILY IV. 

 Fringillin^. The Finches proper-. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill short, couic, and more or less broad at the base, with 

 the culmen sloping and the sides compressed to the tip, which is generally 

 entire ; the gonys long and advancing upwards ; the wings more or less 

 lengthened and pointed ; the tail varying in length, sometimes with the end 

 of the feathers acuminated ; the tarsi as long as, or shorter than, the 

 middle toe, slender and transversely scaled ; the toes more or less long and 

 slender, the hind toe moderate ; the claws generally long, curved, and acute. 



Fig. 101. — THE CHAFFINCH. 



(Frliigilla ccelebs.) 



Birds belonging to tliis sub-family are found in 

 various parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, botli Xortli 

 and South America, and Australia. They generally 

 frequent open and cultivated places, but some prefer 

 the wild and mountainous districts ; they live in 

 flocks, several species sometimes congregating to- 

 gether, especially during the winter months. Those 

 that reside in the more northern latitudes migrate 

 southwards during the cold season, and those inha- 

 biting the higher altitudes of the mountains seek 

 the lower grounds on the approach of winter. Theii' 



