160 



SINGING BIRDS — OSCINES. 



birch, linden, alder, and other trees, and very much resemble the chicka- 

 dees in their way of feeding. 



Genus LEUCOSTICTE, Swaixsox. 



Leucosli'cte, Swainson, Fauna Bor. Amer. II. 18.31, 265. (Type, Linaria tephrocotis, Sw.) 



Gex. Ciiak. Bill conical, rounded, rather blunt at tlic tip ; the culmen slightly convex ; 

 the commissure slightly concave ; the nostrils concealed by depressed bristly feathers ; a 



L. tephrocotis- 



depressed ridge extending about parallel with the culmen above the middle of the bill. 

 Another more conspicuously angulated ridge, extending forward from tlic lower posterior 

 angle of the side of the lower mandible, nearly parallel with the gonys. Tarsus about 



L. tephrorolis. 



C([ual to the middle toe. Inner and outer toes nearly equal, their claws not reaching be- 

 yond the base of the miildlc one. Hind toe rather longer, its claw longer than the digi- 

 tal portion. "Wings verv long ; first quill longest. Tail forked. 



