FRIXGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. 447 



at the base of the hill. Feet short and ratlier weak, lliml flaw usually considerably 

 longer than the middle anterior one ; sonielinieii nearly tlu! same size. 



In the preceding diagnosis I have combined a numlier of forms, all agree- 

 ing in the lengtli and acuteness of the wing, tlio hristly feathoi-s along the 

 base of the bill, the absence of consiiicuoiis In-i.stles on the sides of the 

 moutli, and the sliortness of the feet. They are all strongly marked and 

 briglitly colored birds, and usually btjiong to the more northern regions. 



The bill is very variable, even in the same genus, and its shape is to a 

 considerable extent of specific ratlier than of generic importance. The fringe 

 of short bristles along tlie base of the bill, concealing tlie nostrils, is not 

 appreciable in Plrctrophmicn (except in P. nivalis), but the other character- 

 istics given above are all present. ■ 



Genera. 



A. Bill enormon.>;ly large and .stout ; the lateral outline as long as that of the 

 skull. Guhnen gently curved. 



Colors green, yellow, and black: 

 Hesperiphona. First quill equal to the second. Wings one half longer 

 than the tail. Lateral elaw.s equiil, reaching to the base of the middle claw. 

 Claws nuich curved, ol)tuse ; hinder one but little longer than the middle. 



B. Bill smaller, with the eiilmen more or lc.-<s curved; the laterd outline not an 

 long as the skull. Wings about one third longer than the tail, or a little more ; 

 first quill shorter than the second. Claws considerably curved and thickened ; 

 hinder most so, and almost inappreciably longer or even shorter than the middle 

 anterior one. Tarsus shorter than the middle toes. Lateral toes unequal. 



a. Colors red, grni/, and black, never streakrd. 

 Pyrrhula. Bill excessively swollen ; as broad and as high as long, not half 

 length of head; upper outline much curved. Tail-coverts covering two thirds 

 the tail, which is nearly even, middle and hinder claws about equal. 



b. Colors red arid gray, or streaked br-own and irhife. 

 Pinicola. Bill moderately swollen ; longer than high or broad, upper out- 

 lines much curved ; the lip hooked. Tail-covcrts reaching over basal half of 

 tail, which is nearly even. Middle claw longer than hind; outer lateral 

 claw extending beyond base of middle (reaching to it in Pyrrhula and 

 Carpodarns). 9 and juv. not streaked. 



CarpodacuB. Bill variable, always more or less curved and s'vvoUen ; longer 

 • than high or broad; the tip not hooked. Tail -coverts reaching over two 

 thirds the tail, which is decidedly forl-ed. Middle and h'nd claw about 

 equal. 9 and^f/i'. streakeU. 



c. Colors black and yellow. 

 Chrysomitris. Bill nearly straight. Hind claw stouter and more curved, 

 but scarcely longer than the middle anterior one. Outer lateral toe reaching 

 a little beyoiul the bas(! of the middle claw ; shorter than the hind toe. 

 AVings longer and more pointed. Tail quite deeply forked. 

 C. Hind claw consider.ably longer than the middle anterior one, with about the 

 same curvature; claws attenuated towards the point, and acute. Lateral toes 

 about equal. Wings usually almost one half longer than the tail, which is deeply 

 forked. Tarsus shorter than middle toe. 



