FRINGILLTD^. 141 



The section Fringilla is represented in the Ethiopian Eegion l)y about 

 360 known species, a few of which are migratory ; most are gregarious, and 

 all are seed-eaters, generally, however, feeding their young upon insects 

 and thus repairing the damage they do in the autumn months to the crops 

 by clearing them of insects in the spring. They are mostly good songsters, 

 are of a hardy disposition, and bear captivity well. 



The natural position for this group in a list of African birds is, in my 

 opinion, between the Alaudidce and the Oriolidce. 



KEY TO THE FAMILIES. 



a. Wing of nine primaries only ; the first primary 



about the same length as the second . . . Fringillidce. 



b. Wing of ten primaries ; the first a bastard- 



primary, not nearly so long as the second . Ploceidce. 



Family I. FEINGILLID.^. 



Bill somewhat variable ; nostrils pierced close to the forehead and near 

 to the culmen. Wing of nine primaries, the first and second nearly equal 

 in length. Tail nearly square. Tarsi, feet and claws moderate. 



All the Ethiopian species have the wing and tail about equal in length ; 

 the nostrils hidden by small bristly plumes excepting in Petronia; nest cup- 

 shaped excepting in Passer and Petronia. 



According to Dr. Bowdler Sharpe's estimate, in the " Catalogue of 

 Birds," this family comprises 502 species ; but only 79 have been recorded 

 from Tropical and South Africa, and none are indigenous to the Madagascar 

 subregion. 



KEY TO THE SUBFAMILIES. 



Cutting-edges of the mandibles not coter- 

 minous, leaving a gap in the outline of the 

 closed bill ; mandibular angle at chin very 

 acute Emberizina. 



Cutting-edges of the mandibles coterminous 

 or nearly so ; mandibular angle at chin very 

 slightly indicated FringillincB. 



