210 CHESTNUT-CROWNED SAND-FINCH. 



aspect, it evidently belongs to the true Finches of 

 the sub-family FrmgillinaB. 



The structure of the wing in this bird is so en- 

 tirely different from all its congeners, that with 

 every wish to avoid a multiplicity of sub-genera, we 

 deem it essential to add this to the number. Ac- 

 cording to our present views, it represents the 

 American sub-genus, Chondestes, on the African 

 continent ; a relation which we deem to be one of 

 analogy only, notwithstanding the close resemblance 

 between the two types in all but their wings and 

 tail. The wings, in fact, of Agrophilus^ distinguish 

 it at first sight from every other Finch (Fringil- 

 lince) with which we are acquainted ; for the first 

 quill is so short as not to equal half the length of 

 that of the second. The tail is narrow and quite 

 even, while in Chondestes it is broad and rounded. 

 We should not have thought this was the species 

 figured in Dr. RuppelTs Atlas, had he not verbally 

 assured us it was, the tarsi being represented in his 

 plate much longer than in our specimen. 



Size of a sparrow. Ground colour of the upper 

 plumage light or drab brown ; crown, nape, and 

 part of the neck, above, chestnut rufous ; ears 

 nearly the same, but not so bright, having the space 

 around and a stripe over the eye cream coloured 

 white ; on each side of the neck is a black stripe 

 composed of triangular spots, which commence under 

 the chin and extend as far as the breast ; wings 

 blackish-brown, with pale edges ; the lesser covers, 

 more especially, are broadly tipt with whitish ; tail 



