FRINGTLLINiE. 413 



The Green-finches, Ligurinus, Koch, (Chlorospiza, Bonap.) include, 

 beside the^well known Green-finch of Britain, two or three species 

 common in China andXortliern Asia, F7\ sinica, and Fr. kaioariha^ 

 Temm., which, by their colours, may be said to connect the Siskins 

 and their allies with the plainer coloured Finches. 



Two species of Montifringilla are found in Ladakli, and may 

 stray within our limits. The type of the genus is the M. nivalis, 

 and it is distinguished from Fringilla by its slightly curved and 

 lengthened claws, and the 3rd primary is shorter than the first 

 two. It is somewhat related to Plectrophanes, which indeed Blyth 

 places here rather than with the Buntings. 



Montifringilla hcematopygia, Gould, P. Z. S., 1851, and figured 

 in his Birds of Asia, pt. III. pi. 15, has the upper plumage 

 light, with the lower back and rump tinged with crimson. Adams 

 found it common on the mountains surrounding the Chimouraree 

 lake, in small flocks, feeding on the seeds of a worm-wood. 



M. Adamsi, INIoore, said to be very like M. Gehleri, is ashy 

 above, white below and on the upper tail-coverts, with the wings 

 black, with w^hlte-coverts. Adams found it " a native of the 

 barren wastes and mountains of Ladakh, in small flocks, terrestrial 

 in its habits ; and, in its call note, and mode of progression on the 

 ground, very similar to the true Larks. The nest is composed 

 of dried grass, and usually placed in dykes and stony places by 

 the way side." 



Other species are M. brunneinucha, Brandt., from North-eastern 

 Asia ; 31. griseinucha, Br., from North America ; M. arctous, and 

 M. Gehleri, from Northern Asia, probably extending in winter 

 into Central Asia. 



The next form is a somewhat anomalous one, though related 

 to the last by the long hind claw. 



Gen. Fringillauda, Hodgson. 



Char. — Bill short, conic, somewhat tumid ; commissure gently 

 curved ; wings very long, pointed ; the first three primaries longest 

 and sub-equal ; tarsus somewhat lengthened, slender ; feet formed 

 for ground habits ; claws slender, hind claw long, slightly curved. 



