270 INSESSORES. CONIROSTRES. 



wing-coverts the same colour, but a shade darker. 

 Greater coverts black, tipped with white. Primary 

 quills black, with a bright spot of king's yellow near 

 the tips of their outer webs, which are white. Second- 

 aries grey, tipped with white on the outer web, and har- 

 ving flat red cartilaginous appendages (similar in ap- 

 pearance to sealing-toax ) attached to the ends of seven 

 or eiglit of them. Lower part of the back and rump 

 smoke-grey, with a purphsh tinge. Tail black, tipped 

 with king's yellow. Breast and belly pale purplish- 

 grey. Vent and under tail-coverts orange-brown, in- 

 clining to reddish-orange. Tarsi, toes, and claws black. 

 The female is similar to the male bird, with the exception 

 of the wax-like appendages not being either so large or 

 numerous ; and the yellow upon the wings and ends of 

 the tail-feathers not beins: so bright. 



TRIBE III. CONIROSTRES, Cur. 



This tribe, which forms the 3d and a typical division of 

 the order Insessores, contains the greater part of the Coni- 

 rostres of Cuvier, and the whole of the birds comprized in 

 the two orders of M. Temminck, named " Ouinivores''' and 

 " Granivores.^'' Its characteristics may be stated as residing 

 in the strength and conical form of the biU, the cutting mar- 

 gins of which are commonly entire. By Messrs Vigors and 

 SwAiNsoN, the Corvidce and Sturnida: are considered as form- 

 ing its typical families, being distinguished by a more per- 

 fect general conformation, or rather, an organization adapted 

 to a more varied mode of life than that of the others. These 

 two groups are for the most part Omnivorous, and possess 

 equal facility of moving upon the ground and perching on 

 trees. The other families, on the contrary, are restricted to 

 a diet on grain or fruits, and have their legs and feet more 

 peculiarly adapted for perching, or in some few instances, 



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