238 



SINGING BIRDS — OSCINES. 



Genus CARDINALIS, Bonaparte. 



CardliiuUs, BoNAPAnxE, Saygio, 1S31. (Tyjie, Lvxin Cuidiuatis, LiNXiEUS.) 



Gen. CiiAi:. Bill enormously large ; culraen very slightly ourved, ooniinissure siiuiatuil : 

 lower jaw Ijroader than the length of the gonys, considerably wider than the iijiper jaw, 

 about as deep as the latter. Tarsi longer than middle toe ; outer toe rather the longer, 

 reaching a little beyond (he base of the middle one; hind toe not so long. Wings moder- 



C. Virginianus. 



ate, reaching over the basal third of the exposed part of the tail. Foor- outer quills 

 graduated ; the first equ.al to the secondaries. Tail long, decidedly longer than the wings, 

 considerably graduated ; feathers broad, truncated a little oblicjuely at the end, the cor- 

 ners rounded. Colors red. Head crested. (Figure on preceding page.) 



Tlie e.ssential charactere of tlii.s gentis are tlie crested head ; very large 

 and thick bill e.xtendiiig; far back on the forehead, and only moderately 

 curved aliove ; tar.su.s longer tlian middle toe ; much graduated wings, the 

 tir.st primary equal to the secondary quills ; the long tail exceeding the 

 wings, broad and much graduated at the end. 



Cardinalis igneus, Baird. 



THE CAPE CAKDINAL. 

 Cardinalis iijiieus, Baird, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sc. Pliila. IS.'iO, .305. —Elliot, 111. I. plalc 16. 



Sp. Char. Body bright vcrmilion-red ; darker on the back, rum]), and tail. Chin 

 and ujiper part of the throat black ; Uiis color extending along the base of the bill to the 



