2O2 VERTEBRATES : BIRDS. 



wing three inches ; the color gamboge -yellow, cro'wn and 

 wings black, tail and wings marked with white. The 

 female is yellowish brown, with no black upon the head. 

 The nest is very handsome, made of lichens and fastened 

 to a twig ; eggs four to six, white tinged with bluish, and 

 spotted with reddish brown at the larger end. 



The Arkansas Finch, C. psaltria, Bonap., of the South- 

 ern Rocky Mountains to the coast of California, is four 

 and a quarter inches long, the wing two and two fifths 

 inches, the upper parts olive green, the head, wings, and 

 tail black ; beneath, bright yellow. 



The Black Goldfinch, C. mexicana, Bonap., of Mexico 

 near the Rio Grande, is over four inches long, the wing 

 two and a quarter inches. 



Lawrence's Goldfinch, C. Lawrencii, Bonap., of Cali- 

 fornia, is four and seven tenths inches long, the wing 

 two and three quarters inches ; the crown, sides of the 

 head anterior .to the eye, chin, and throat, black ; sides 

 of the head and neck, upper part of the neck, back, and 

 upper tail-coverts, ashy ; under parts greenish yellow. 



The Pine Finch, C. pinus, Bonap., of North America, 

 is four and three quarters inches long, the wing three 

 inches ; olive brownish above, beneath whitish, every 

 feather streaked with dusky ; the concealed bases of 

 tail feathers and quills and their inner edges sulphur- 

 yellow ; outer edges yellowish green ; two brownish-white 

 bands upon the wings, and the tail much forked. 



The Genus Pyrrhula comprises the Bulfinches of the 

 Eastern hemisphere, which have the bill very large and 

 rounded. They are easily tamed, and sing well. 



The Genus Curvirostra has the points of the mandibles 

 greatly curved and overlapping. Crossbills live in flocks ; 

 and feed mainly upon seeds contained in the cones of 

 pines and those of other allied trees, which, by the aid 

 of their peculiar bill, they are able to secure with won- 

 derful facility. 



