98 FRTNGILLIDJE. 



PASSERES. FRINGILLIDM. 



COCCOTHRAUSTES VULGARIS, PALLAS*. 



THE HAWFINCH. 



Coccotliraustes vulgaris. 



COCCOTHRAUSTES, Brisson^. Bill hard, nearly conical, very thick at the base, 

 tapering rapidly to the point ; culmen more or less rounded ; the mandibles 

 nearly equal, edges inflected and slightly indented. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, 

 nearly hidden by projecting and recurved frontal plumes. Gape slightly arched. 

 Wings with the first primary finely attenuated and so small as to seem wanting, 

 the third and fourth primaries nearly equal, and rather longer than the second. 

 Tail short, and more or less forked. Tarsus scutellate in front, covered at the 

 sides with a single plate, stout and shortish. Claws moderately curved, rather 

 short and strong. 



THE HAWFINCH was for a long time described in many works 

 as an accidental visitor, appearing only in autumn or winter ; 

 but, as increased attention was bestowed on ornithology, 

 more correct views on the subject prevailed, and this bird is 

 now known not only constantly to inhabit various parts of 

 England in considerable numbers, but also is believed to be 

 increasing year by year, both in numbers and in range. 



* Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica, ii. p. 12 (1811). t Orn. Hi. p. 218. 



