AVES. 359 



and convex ; wings moderate, somewhat rounded ; tail moderate ; tarsi 

 and feet rather short and robust. Size small. 



Rather less than one hundred birds are arranged here, nearly all of 

 which inhabit northern and temperate regions. 



The European bullfinch, Pyrrhula europea (pi. 101, fig. 2), is one of the 

 prettiest little birds of that continent. He is much esteemed as a cage 

 bird, and large numbers are exported from Germany to all paits of the 

 world. 



The purple finch {Oarpodacus purpureus), a common and very hand- 

 some American bird, belongs here. The male is of a uniform purple color, 

 though seldom observed, on account of almost exclusively frequenting the 

 forest. 



There are several western species, of which the crimson-fronted bullfinch 

 {C . frontalis) appears to be most corhmon. 



Some ten or twelve little bii'ds of this sub-family, forming the genus 

 Crithagra, are peculiar to the continent of Africa. There are a large 

 number of South American species (genus Spermophila), of which the 

 thick-billed finch, S. crassii-ostris {pi. 101, fig. 3), is a good example. 



Sub-fain. 8. Loxiance, or Crossbills. Bill rather long, both mandibles 

 compressed towards the tips, which are curved and cross each other ; 

 wings lengthened, pointed ; tail moderate, emarginated ; tarsi and feet 

 short and strong. Size small ; color generally purple. 



These birds inhabit the forests of pine, fir, or other trees of similar cha- 

 racter, in the northern regions of America, Europe, and Asia. The seeds 

 of those trees are readily extracted by their curiously formed bills, and 

 appear to be their principal food. 



The parrot crossbill {Loxiapittjopsittacus), the common crossbill {L. curvi- 

 rostra {pi. 100, fig. 2), and the white- winged crossbill {L. leucoptera), are 

 the European species. The two latter are common in the northern United 

 States. 



Several others have been observed in India and other countries at Asia. 



Sub-fam. 9. PhytotomincB, or Plantcutters. Bill short, strong, broad at 

 base, lateral edges finely serrated ; wings moderate ; tail rather short, trun- 

 cate ; tarsi strong ; toes long and slender. 



Three birds of South America constitute this sub-family. They are 

 found in the forests, and occasionally visit gardens and plantations, in which 

 they are said to commit much injury, by a peculiar manner of cutting off 

 buds and fruits. Their notes are represented as very unpleasant, and 

 somewhat similar to the sounds produced by sharpening a saw. The com- 

 mon plantcutter {Pfnjtotoma silens), the narrow-billed {P. angustirostris), 

 and the rusty plantcutter {P. rutila), are the known species. 



Sub-fam. 10. Colince, or Colies. Bill small, elevated at base ; wings 

 short ; tail very long, graduated ; tarsi .short and robust : toes lengthened 

 and all directed forwards. Head crested. 



This group comprises eight or ten birds, which are natives of Africa. 

 They have a peculiar formation of their feet, by which all the toe.s (includ- 

 ing the hind toe of other birds) are directed forwards, though its use has 



563 



