258 



CONIROSTRES. 



SUB-FAMILY IX. 

 Phytotomix.e.* The Plant-tmtter, 



Gen. Charac. — Bill short, conical, with the lateral margins serrated. 



:->,4^f^%#r¥-^.fei;//^'y^ 



'-'%/. 



Fig. 107. — the Chilian plant-cutter. 

 {Fhytotoma rara.) 



The Plant-cutters constitute another group of the 

 large-billed Finches, These birds are peculiar to 

 the temperate regions of South America, where 

 they frequently visit the environs of inhabited and 

 cultivated places. They live in pairs or in small 

 troops, despoiling gardens and orchards, and devas- 

 tating plantations by cutting off the buds and fruits. 

 Their flight is short and low, but sometimes pro- 

 longed, and their habits resemble those of the 

 Tanagers. Their note is excessively disagreeable, 



* (pvTov, pliyton, a 'plant ; roixi), tome, a cut or incision. 



