43.3 



EMBERIZAN.E. 



BUNTINGS AND ALLIED SPECIES. 



The family of Emberizanae is composed of species so inti- 

 mately allied to the Passerinae, that one might reasonably 

 hesitate in separating the two groups as distinct families. Yet 

 they have clearly as much right to stand apart from the Pas- 

 serinae as the Tanagranse, which many authors place in their 

 systems at a very great distance. The only genera belonging 

 to this family with which I am acquainted are Emberiza and 

 Plectrophanes ; but it is probable that several others may be 

 added, w^hen more attention is paid to the peculiar characters 

 by which it is distinguished. 



The chief characteristics of the Emberizanae as compared 

 with those of the Passerinas, may be seen by inspecting Figs. 

 6, 7, 8, and 9. of PI. VIII, the former two representing the 

 head of a Bunting, the latter that of a Linnet. In the Bunting, 

 the upper mandible seems as if it had been cut out from be- 

 neath by an angular section, while the lower is proportionally 

 enlarged so as to fill up the deficiency thus left. The gape-line 

 in consequence is much bent, ascending for half its length, and 

 then being straight to the end. In the Linnet, although there 

 is a slight deflection of the gape-line, the upper mandible is 

 broad, convex, and nearly straight-edged. In the Bunting it 

 is very narrow, with inflected edges. Again, in the Linnet and 

 all the Passerinae the upper mandible and palate are broadly 

 and deeply concave, whereas in the Buntings they are narrow, 

 flat, and at their junction have a prominent hard knob. Fig. 7. 

 shews the roof of the mouth in the Bunting ; Fig. 9. the same 

 part in the Linnet. In the former, the horny part is short, 



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