FINCHES. 169 



FINCHES. 



rriHE present group includes some of the most beautiful and familiar 

 of our British species; several of its members are particularly rich 

 and soft in the colouring of their plumage, and will bear comparison 

 in this respect with the brilliant feathered inhabitants of warmer climates 

 than our own. Although, in calling them all Finches we have adopted 

 the popular rather than the scientific nomenclature, we are but following 

 in the steps of some of the earlier ornithologists. As we wish our 

 readers, however, to become acquainted with their present arrangement 

 into genera, we will, after describing as briefly as possible the general 

 characteristics of the family to which they belong, enumerate the 

 divisions according to modern authorities. 



All the birds here grouped together agree in the following particulars 

 their bodies are ovate, their heads large, necks short, and their tails 

 and wings of moderate length. Now if you carefully examine a common 

 Sparrow you will observe that this description exactly applies to him. 

 He has therefore been chosen as a typical bird, and his Latin name 

 passer has been applied to the whole family of birds of similar structure. 

 The Passerince are active and lively little creatures, living chiefly on 

 seeds and grain, for the removal of the hard coverings of which their 

 beaks are specially adapted. They are generally distributed over tho 

 country, and are to be met with chiefly in the cultivated parts. During 



the winter they assemble in large flocks, and approach the habitations 



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