FRINGILLID^— THE FINCHES— CAEPODACUS. 



153 



build nests in trees, not very high ujd, of twigs externally, lined with feath- 

 ers. The eggs are said to be white. Besides seeds of trees, they feed on 

 their buds, also on berries, and probably on insects during the breeding 

 season, like other seed-eaters. 



In Labrador, Audulmn fmind them very unsuspicious, and even stupid, 

 as when he shot one, the others, instead of Hying a^\•ay, came down within a 

 few feet of him to examine him closely. They have been kept in cages, 

 and are very musical. 



Although the American j^ine grosbeak has received a different name from 

 the European, it is very difficult to distinguish them, and it is probable that 

 they are quite identical. Western specimens have larger bills than Eastern, 

 as shown by the lower figure on the opposite page, Mhich is from a Cali- 

 fornia bird. Those from Kodiak have- still larger bills. 



Genus CARPODACUS, Kaup. 



Carpodactis, Kaup, " Entw. Europ. Thienv. 1829." 

 Erijthrusinza, BoNAP.iKTE, Saggio di una dist. met. 18.31. 



Gen. Ch.\u. Bill short, stout, and vaulted ; tlie culmen decurred towards the end ; 

 the commi-ssure nearly straight to the slightly decurved end. A slight development of 

 bristly feathers along the sides of the bill, concealing the nostrils. Tarsus shorter than 

 the middle toe ; lateral claws reaching to the base of the middle one. Claw of hind toe 



C. frontalis. 



much curved, smaller than the middle one, and rather less than the digital portion 

 Wing.s long and pointed, reaching to the middle of the tail, which is considerably shorter 

 than the wing, and moderately forked. Colors red, or red and brown. 



These birds all have more or less purjjle colors, which are supposed by 



