1-58 



SINGING BIRDS— OSCINES. 



are very lively and varied, though short, and are lieard throughout the year. 

 Cage-birds, usually called " California linnets," are easily kept and fre- 

 quently to be seen, but generally their jjurple changes to yellow after long 

 confinement. 



They raise two, if not three, broods annually. These assemble iu large 

 flocks in autumn, but migrate very little if any to the south. 



The house-finch of California is represented in Mexico by a closeh' allied 

 species, if not a mere variety, the C. hccmorrlwus of Wagler, in which the 

 colors are more sharply defined, and the red more restricted, as shown in 

 the preceding figiu'e. 



Genus ^GIOTHUS, Cabaxis. 



^giothus, Cabanis, JIiis. Ileiii. I8.)l, IGI. (Tvpe, FringiUalinaria, L.) 



Gex. Ciiai!. Bill vory short, conical, and acutely pointed : the outlines even concave ; 

 the commissure straijiht : the ba.se of the ujjpcr mandible, and tlie nostrils concealed by 

 stitr, apprcssed, bristly liiathers ; middle of the mandible having several ridges jjarallel 



A, linarla. 



with the culmen. Inner lateral toe the longer, its claw reaching to the middle of the cen- 

 tral claw ; the hind toe rather longer than the digital portion. Wings very long, reacliing 

 the middle of the tail ; second quill a little longer than the first and third. TaU deeijly 

 forked. 



A. linaria. 



