308 CLASS AVES. 



unknown cause, the females are always nearly double the 

 number of males. 



The widow-bird, of the species regia, is the most remark- 

 able for its elegance of form and charms of voice. These 

 birds may be kept in properly constructed aviaries, where 

 due attention is paid to warmth of situation and shelter. 

 They require room for the full developement of their natu- 

 rally graceful and supple motions, and gay and lively dispo- 

 sition. This widow-bird delights in bathing, and at the sight 

 of fresh and limpid water, testified its joy by singing. It is 

 difficult, if not impossible, to make them hatch in such cli- 

 mates as England and France ; but by keeping them in a 

 very warm situation, they will live a good while, with proper 

 care. They are not unfrequently seen at Lisbon ; but their 

 native country is the African coast, generally, though it does 

 not appear that they are found in Senegal. There are no 

 more particulars, respecting any of the species, worth laying 

 before our readers. 



The primary character of the Grosbeaks is that from which 

 they are named. Their beak, in general, is extremely solid 

 and powerful, and, except in the group of bulfinches, is coni- 

 cal and pointed. The tongue is also strong, and has a longi- 

 tudinal furrow ; the head is larger, and more fleshy than in 

 the insectivorous birds in general ; the internal toe is free, 

 but the three exterior are connected at their base. 



Notwithstanding these distinctive peculiarities, there exists 

 considerable difficulty in separating this group of birds from 

 many others ; a difficulty, indeed, not peculiar to them, but 

 prevalent in every branch of zoology, whenever the na- 

 tural method is attempted to be made the sole basis of 

 arrangement. The Baron, it has been observed, states, 

 that there is a gradual passage, without assignable interval, 

 from the linnets to the grosbeaks. The latter, moreover, 



