LAND BIRDS. 461 



Family 56. FRINGILLID.E. Finches, Sparrows, Buntings, Linnets, 

 Grosbeaks, Crossbills and Longspurs. 

 The largest famil}' of Michigan birds, including not less than 38 species. 



KEY TO SPECIES. 



Closed tail showing a distinct notch or fork (Fig. 112), that is, middle 

 tail-feathers shorter than lateral feathers. Group 1. 



Closed tail rounded or double-rounded (Plate 53), the lateral tail-feathers 

 always shorter than the middle ones. Group 2. 



Closed tail square or nearly so (Fig. 114) (sometimes slightly double- 

 rounded), the middle and lateral feathers of about the same length 

 Group 3. 



Group 1. 

 Closed tail with a distinct notch or fork. 



A. Wing over 4.25 inches. B, BB. 



B. Wings black, the primaries or secondaries, or both, with large white 



markings (patches). Evening Grosbeak. No. 206. 

 BB. Wings brownish-black (fuscous), only their coverts white tipped, 

 forming two white wing-bars. Pine Grosbeak. No. 207. 

 AA. Wing less than 4.25 inches. C, CC. 



C. Mandibles with hooked tips which cross each other like scissor 



blades. D, DD. 



D. With conspicuous white wing-bars. White-winged Ci'ossbill. 



No. 210. 

 DD. Without any white in wing. Red Crossbill. No. 209. 

 CC. Mandibles not crossed. E, EE. 



E. Claw of hind toe twice as long as claw of middle toe. F, FF. 



F. Hind claw much curved. Snow Bunting. No. 218. 



FF. Hind claw little curved. Lapland Longspur. No. 219. 

 EE. Claw of hind toe not twice as long as claw of middle toe 

 G, GG. 



G. Birds showing more or less bright blue, vellow f)r red 



(not brown). H, HH, HHH. 

 H. Marked with red. I, IL 



L A conspicuous red cap or crown; chin l)lack. 



Redpolls. Nos. 211-214. 

 11. Most of plumage washed with red; cliin not black. 

 Purple Finch, male. No. 208. 

 HH. Marked with blue, or whole body blue. Indigo 



liird, male. No. 242. 

 HHH. Marked with yellow. K, KK. 



K. Yellow mainly on head and body plumage; none 



on wings or tail. Goldfinch. No. 215. 

 KK. Wings and tail with more or less yellow, head 

 and body without. Pine Finch, Siskin. 

 No. 216. 



