FRINGILLnXE. 3 



Nasal bones not produced beyond the anterior line of the orbit. 



a'. Cutting-edges of mandibles conterminous or nearly so ; mandibular 

 angle at the chin very slightly indicated. 



Subfam. FIUXGILLIN^, p. 170. 



b'. Cutting-edges of the mandibles not conterminous, leaving a gap in 

 the outline of the closed bill ; mandibular angle at chin very 

 acute Subfam. EMBERIZINjE, p. 463 



e. Skull of Fringilla c&lebs, from above. 

 d. Skull of Friiigilla Calebs, lateral view. 



e. Skull of Emberiza citrinella, from above. 

 /. Skull of Emberiza citrinella, lateral view. 



Subfamily I. COCCOTHRAUSTIN^]. 



A general stoutness of bill is the leading characteristic of the 

 Grosbeaks, accompanied, as we see in the skull {anted, p. 2), by an 

 immense development of the thickness of the posterior end of the 

 lower jaw ; but that this character will be found to run through all 

 the genera which I have arranged in this subfamily is extremely 

 doubtful. As before stated, I have been able to examine so few 

 skeletons, that the present arrangement represents rather a general 

 idea than an actual classification of the Grosbeaks, and is liable to 

 future modifications. 



Phonipara and Volatbiia are probably Buntings, and Cardinalis 

 certainly from the skull alone (see fig. on p. 160) seems very Bunting- 

 like. It is doubtful whether Pi/rrhulo.via is rightly placed, and it 

 may be found ultimately to be nearer the Bullfinches. 



b 2 



