FRINGILLID.E. 43 



Fam. X. FKINGILLIDJE, OK FINCHES. 



The extensive family of Finches, which has numerous representatives 

 in every part of the world, is well represented in the Argentine Republic. 

 Within the limits assigned to the present work forty-six species of this 

 group are already known to occur, and it is probable that this number 

 will be somewhat increased when the Argentine avifauna is thoroughly 

 worked out. 



Most of the genera to which the Argentine Finches belong are forms 

 peculiar to the Neotropical Region, or at all events to the New World. 

 The genus Chrysomitris, which contains our Siskin and other Old -World 

 species, is the only one which has a wider distribution. 



One of the most characteristic forms of Argentine Fringillidae is 

 Poospiza, of which seven species are met with within the limits of the 

 Republic, while Lophospingus, Donacospiza, Gubernatrix, and Saltatricula 

 are Fringilline types peculiar to Argentina. 



47. PHEUCTICUS AUREIVENTRIS (d'Orb. et Lafr.). 

 (BLACK-AND- YELLOW THICK-BILL.) 



Pheucticus aureiventris, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 27 ; White, P. Z. S. 1882, 

 p. 598 (Salta) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 55. 



Description. Above, also head, throat, and chest, black ; lesser wing-coverts 

 yellow ; two spots on the greater coverts and the base of the primaries white ; 

 tail black, the three outer feathers on each side tipped with white ; belly and 

 under wing-coverts bright yellow ; sides sparsely spotted with black ; bill and 

 feet black : total length 8 -7 inches, wing 4-5, tail 3'5. Female similar. 



Hob. Bolivia and Northern Argentina. 



Examples of this fine species, originally discovered by d'Orbigny in 

 Bolivia, were obtained by White in the forests of Salta. 



48. GUIRACA CYANEA (Linn.). 

 (INDIGO FINCH.) 



Guiraca cyanea, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 27 ; White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 598 

 (Catamarca). Guiraca cyanea argentina, Sharpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 73. 



Description. Indigo-blue ; lesser wing-coverts azure-blue ; wing- and tail- 

 feathers black ; forehead azure-blue, and head washed with the same colour ; bill 



