CARPODACUS. 45 
Genus CARPODACUS. 
The Rose-Finches appear to have been unknown to Brisson and Linnzus, 
and, after they were discovered, were placed by different writers with the 
Crossbills, the Hawfinches, the Bullfinches, &c., until, in 1828, Brehm 
established the genus Hrythrina for their reception (Isis, 1828, p. 1276). 
This name, however, may be rejected, on the ground that it had already 
been applied in 1767 by Linneeus, in his ‘Systema Nature,’ 1. p. 473, to 
a genus of plants. In 1829 Kaup established the genus Carpodacus, mn 
his ‘ Natiirliches System,’ p. 161, making C. erythrinus the type. 
The Rose-Finches resemble the birds in the preceding genus in the 
general distribution of their colour, and ought never to have been generi- 
cally separated from them. The name Carpodacus, however, has been so 
extensively applied to them that it may be retained, to avoid unnecessary 
change. They may be distinguished by the shape of the upper mandible, 
which in its profile shows an even curve meeting the point of the lower 
mandible, instead of a curve somewhat suddenly bent or hooked over the 
latter. 
The geographical distribution of the birds in this genus is precisely 
similar to that in the preceding one. They are confined to the Palzearctic 
and Nearctic Regions, extending in the former into the Himalayas and in 
the latter into the tablelands of Mexico. They number about twenty 
species, only four of which are found in the western portions of the Pale- 
arctic Region. One of these is an accidental visitor to the British Islands. 
In their habits the Rose-Finches do not differ much from the allied 
species. Their haunts are very similar to those of the birds in the pre- 
ceding genus ; but the birds do not appear to be so much confined to the 
conifer growth, and breed in cultivated districts and amongst deciduous 
trees. In winter, when they are more or less gregarious, their haunts are 
much more varied than in summer, their choice being influenced only by 
the presence of the food-supply. They possess considerable powers of 
song. Their nests are open, resembling those of their allies; and their 
eggs are five or six in number, blue of different shades, spotted with 
blackish brown. Their food consists of buds, seeds, and insects of various 
kinds. 
