FRIXGILLIN.Ti. 169 



Subfamily II. FEINGILLIN^E. 



This subfamily comprises the typical Finches, which are distinguished 

 from the Buntings {Emherizince) by having the cutting edges of the 

 mandibles fitting close together throughout their length, and in the mandi- 

 bular angle of the chin being very slightly indicated. Both these subfamilies 

 differ from the Grosbeaks {CoccotliramtincB, which do not occur in the 

 Ethiopian Region) in the nasal bones not being produced backwards beyond 

 the anterior line of the orbit. 



In Africa this subfamily is much better represented than the last, for in 

 the Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum, xii. pp. 170-467 (1888), 

 the species were 176 in number. There are now about 63 known species 

 inhabiting the Ethiopian Eegion, of which 56 are apparently confined to that 

 area. 



KEY TO THE GENERA. 



. Adult with the bill red in life, and some 

 rosy red colouring on the plumage, bright- 

 est on the quills and tail Erythrospiza. ' ? o 



, No red on the plumage. 

 a^. Tail short, less than four times the length 



of the culmen Liiiurgus. ' 7 / 



b^. Tail longer, more than four times the 

 length of the culmen. 

 a^. Bill not swollen, but very sharply pointed, 

 with the culmen and sides nearly 



straight Chnjsomitris. ' 7 v~ 



b'. Bill swollen, with the culmen and sides 

 curved. 

 a^. Basal half of bill much swollen, re- 

 mainder compressed, causing the sides 

 to be very strongly curved .... Serinus. 'V(. 

 b^. Bill less swollen, fairly long and more 

 slender, with the sides nearly straight 

 from base to tip. 

 a*. Nostrils covered by plumes. 



a^. Crown streaked PoUospiza. '■^S~ 



b^ . Crown uniform Passer. ^ j 2. 



b*. Nostrils exposed. Nest covered 



above Petronia. ^C 



