356 ZOOLOGY. 



(Vidua paradisea), the king widow bird, V. regia {pi. 101, fig. 7), and the 

 red-billed, V. erythrorhynchus (pi. 101, fig. 8). They appear to be very 

 similar in habits to the little sparrows of the United States. 



Sub-fam. 2. Coccothraustince, or Grosbeaks. Bill large, very strong, 

 broad at the base, conic ; wings lengthened, more or less pointed ; tail 

 generally short ; tarsi and feet rather short and robust. 



Contains about forty species of birds, which have the largest and 

 strongest bills of all the birds of this family. They inhabit various parts 

 of the world, subsisting almost exclusively on seeds, for the purpose of 

 obtaining which some of the species employ their strong bills in breaking 

 such fruits as almonds, cherry-stones, &c. Many birds of this sub-family 

 are very showy. The rose-breasted grosbeak of the United States belongs 

 here (Guiraca ludoviciana) . It is one of the most handsome of American 

 birds, having the entire superior parts shining black, and the lower parts of 

 the body white, with the breast very delicate rose red. 



The cardinal grosbeak (Cardinalis virginianus) also belongs here. The 

 entire plumage is fine scarlet, except a small space around the bill, which is 

 black ; and its high pointed crest gives it a graceful and elegant appearance. 

 The males have loud and musical notes resembling those of a fife, which are 

 constantly heard during the spring. The bird inhabits all North America. 



The hawfinch, Coccothraustes vulgaris (pi. 100, fig. 3), is the best 

 known European species. It is a bird of plain plumage inhabiting the 

 entire continent. The green finch, C. chloris (pi. 101, fig. 4), is another 

 common European species. 



Other birds of this group are distributed throughout the entire surface of 

 the globe. 



Sub-fam. 3. Tanagrince, or Tanagers. Bill various, generally rather 

 short, somewhat triangular at base, and slightly curved ; wings moJerate, 

 sometimes pointed ; tarsi and feet generally short and rather slender. 

 Size various ; colors frequently gay. 



A sub-family of American birds, containing some of the most beautiful 

 species which inhabit this continent. 



There are about two hundred and fifty species of tanagers, of which two 

 only visit the Northern States in the summer. The best known is the 

 scarlet tanager, or black-winged red-bird (Pyranga rubra), a beautiful bird 

 with very brilliant scarlet plumage except the wings, which are deep black. 

 It appears in Pennsylvania about the first of May, and lives during the 

 summer almost exclusively in the woods, rarely approaching the habitations 

 of man, though not very shy or timid. 



The other northern species is the summer red-bird (P. estiva), which is 

 entirely purplish red, though not so showy as the former bird. 



Vastly the larger number of these birds inhabit South America, where 

 they live in all descriptions of localities, generally perhaps preferring low 

 trees and bushes in the vicinity of water. They feed indiscriminately on 

 insects, fruits, and seeds. The bishop tanager (Tanagra episcopus) is a 

 common and singularly colored species; it is of a light blue, with a shading 

 of greyish white. 

 560 



