12 THE HOUSE SPARROW. 



straight line, or with slight curvature to or near the 

 base of the bill, and then bends abruptly downward at 

 varying angles. The cutting edge of the upper mandible 

 forms a re-entrance; lower, a corresponding salience. 

 This character separates the group pretty sharply from 

 other Oscines, excepting the Icteriidce. 



All the species of the United States may be provision- 

 ally separated into four subfamilies, the European house 

 sparrow constituting a fifth. These are the following : 

 Coccothraustince, Pyrgitime, Spizellince, Passer elli nee, and 

 ■ Spizinm. 



Subfamily Pyrgitin^e. 



This group is characterized by the following particu- 

 lars: bill robust, turgid, and arched superiorly, but with- 

 out distinct ridge. The lower mandible, at the basal part, 

 is narrower than the upper. The nostrils are covered, 

 and the side of the maxilla furnished with appressed 

 bristles. The tarsi are short, and never exceed the 

 middle toe in length. The tail is shorter than the 

 slightly pointed wings. 



In some respects, the Pyrgitince are similar to the Coc- 

 cothraustince. In the short tarsi and covered nostrils, 

 shorter and more rounded wings, and in the presence of 

 stiff bristles upon the sides of the bill, they resemble 

 this group. But the weaker feet, larger and more 

 vaulted bill, and covered nostrils, are characters which 

 distinguish them from the Spizellinoe. 



Genus Pyrgita, Cuvier. 



Gen. Char. Bill robust, turgid, and devoid of distinct 

 ridge; superior and inferior outlines curved; margins 



