328 INSESSORES. LOXIA. 



habits they also vary; and many species subsist as much 

 upon the tender and undeveloped buds of trees, as upon seeds 

 and the kernels of frviits. In addition to the Bullfinches, the 

 Crossbills (genus Lox'ia) belong to this group, as also the 

 genera Pitylus (Cuv.), Bethylus (Cuv.), and Phytotoma 

 (Gmel.), whi«h last appears to be an aberrant form, serving 

 as a medium to connect the Fringillidas with the Musopha- 

 gidce. 



Genus LOXIA, Briss. CROSSBILL. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill rather long; thick at the base. Both mandibles equal- 

 ly convex and very strong, much compressed anteriorly ; 

 when at rest, crossing each other at the points ; and having 

 their tomia, from the middle forward, bending inwards. 

 Nostrils round, basal, and lateral ; hidden by incumbent 

 bristly feathers. Feet, with three toes before, and one be- 

 hind, the anterior ones entirely divided. Claws curved, and 

 sharp. Wings having the first and second quills of equal 

 length, the third being the longest. 



The genus Loxia of tlie older authors has undergone a 

 very judicious revision, and the Bullfinches and Grosbeaks, 

 which were included in it, have been classed more suitably 

 according to the characters they possess. There are but 

 three members of the genus as at present established. They 

 are inhabitants of the northern parts of Europe, and of 

 North America, living in the forests of pines and firs so 

 abundant in these countries ; and the seeds of which trees 

 form their chief food. These they are enabled to arrive at 

 by the powerful le^^r they possess in their singular bill, so 

 admirably adapted 'for wrenching open the scales of the 



