FRINGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. 447 



at the base of the bill. Feet shoi-t and rather weak. Hind claw usually considerably 

 longer than the middle anterior one ; sometimes nearly the same size. 



In the preceding diagnosis I have combined a nundjer of forms, all agree- 

 ing in the length and acuteness of the wing, the Ijristly feathers along the 

 base of the bill, the absence of conspicuous bristles on the sides of the 

 mouth, and the sliortness of the feet. They are all strongly marked and 

 brightly colored birds, and usually belong to the more northern regions. 



The bill is very variable, even in the same genus, and its shape is to a 

 considerable extent of specific rather than of generic importance. The fringe 

 of short bristles along the base of the bill, concealing the nostrils, is not 

 appreciable in Flcchvphanes (except in P. nivalis), but the other character- 

 istics given above are all present. 



Genera. 



A. Bill enormously large and stout ; the lateral outline as long as that of the 

 skull. Culuien gently curved. 



Colors greeUj yelloic, and black. 

 Hesperiphona. First quill equal to the second. Wings one half longer 

 than the tail. Lateral claws equal, reaching to the base of the middle claw. 

 Claws much curved, obtuse ; hinder one but little longer than the middle. 



B. Bill smaller, with the culmen more or less curved; the lateral outline not so 

 long as the skull. Wings about one third longer than the tail, or a little more ; 

 first quill shorter than the second. Claws considerably curved and thickened ; 

 hinder most so, and almost inappreciably longer or even shorter than the middle 

 anterior one. Tarsus shorter than the middle toes. Lateral toes unequal. 



a. Colors red, gray, and black, never streaked. 

 Pyrrhula. Bill excessively swollen ; as broad and as high as long, not half 

 length of head; upper outline much curved. Tail-coverts covering two thirds 

 the tail, which is nearly even, middle and hinder claws about equal. 



b. Colors red and gray, or streaked broiim and inJnfe. 

 Pinicola. Bill moderately swollen ; longer than high or broad, upper out- 

 lines much curved ; the tip hooked. Tail-coverts reacliing over basal half of 

 tail, which is nearly even. Middle claw longer than hind; outer lateral 

 claw extending beyond base of middle (reaching to it in Pyrrhula and 

 Carpodacus). 9 ^^^^^ i'"'- "o^ streaked. 



Carpodacus. Bill variable, always more or less curved and swollen ; longer 

 than high or broad ; the tip not hooked. Tail-coverts reaching over two 

 thirds the tail, which is decidedly forked. Middle and hind claw about 

 equal. 9 aud/i/v. streaked. 



c. Colors black and yellow. 

 Chrysomitris. Bill nearly straight. Hind claw stouter and more curved, 

 but scarcely longer than the middle anterior one. Outer lateral toe reaching 

 a little beyond the base of the middle claw ; shorter than the hind toe. 

 Wings longer and more pointed. Tail quite deeply forked. 



C. Hind claw considerably lo:iger than the middle anterior one, with about the 

 same curvature ; claws attenuated towards the point, and acute. Lateral toes 

 about equal. Wings usually almost one half longer than the tail, which is deeply 

 forked. Tarsus shorter than middle toe. 



