78 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



THE GROSBEAKS. 



COCCOTHRA USTIN.&. 



THIS division of the family Fringillida, is characterised by Dr. 

 Sharpe as having the " Nasal bones produced backwards beyond 

 the anterior line of the orbit ; mandible very powerful and deep 

 posteriorly ; angle of genys very slight." In the FringUlina and 

 Emberizina (Finches and Buntings) he notes that the Nasal bones are 

 not produced beyond the anterior line of the orbit (eye socket), whilst, 

 in the first, the angle of the chin is very slightly indicated, and, in 

 the second, it is very acute. 



In his notes . on the sub-family, however, this author observes : 

 "A general stoutness of bill is the leading characteristic of the 

 Grosbeaks, accompanied, as we see in the skull, by an immense 

 development of the thickness of the posterior end of the lower jaw ; 

 but, that this character will be found to run through all the genera, 

 which I have arranged in this sub-family, is extremely doubtful. I 

 have been able to examine so few skeletons, that the present arrange- 

 ment represents rather a general idea than an actual classification of 

 the Grosbeaks, and is liable to future modifications." 



As regards the genera with which it is necessary to deal in the 

 present volume, Dr. Sharpe thinks that Plionifwra and Cardinalis may 

 prove to be Buntings : it therefore seems best to me, if even for this 

 reason alone, not to separate them from the Buntings, by introducing 

 the true Finches between them : not that it much matters to the 

 reader, but because the arrangement which I have adopted, for the few 

 regularly imported genera, seems more harmonious as regards colouring, 

 and better expresses the views of Aviculturists, in that it does not 

 violently separate species which have, to them, been chiefly known 

 under the designations of " Cardinal " or " Finch ; " though in the 

 case of the latter, it is so generally used, that it is impossible to avoid 

 keeping some of the species so named, wide apart ; the somewhat 

 aberrant genera Spermophila and Phonipara being examples.* 



* I have not included the Hawfinches in this work because, though a few are from time to 

 time imported, they are not sufficiently interesting or pleasing, ever to become popular Finches 

 with the majority of fanciers. A.G.B. 



