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AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 



Fringilla tristis, Linn. 

 PLATE XXXIII. Vol. I. p. 172. 



This interesting species, which is so nearly allied to several others 

 of the same family, is found on the shores of the Columbia River. It 

 is mentioned by Dr Richardson as visiting the Fur Countries, where it 

 arrives at a very late period, as it retires in September, after a stay of 

 less than three months. The eggs described by that most zealous na- 

 turalist agree in every particular with some now before me, which I col- 

 lected myself. They measure a trifle more than five and a half eighths 

 in length, by 4i eighths in breadth, and are very obtuse at one end 

 and sharp at the other. My friend Dr Bachman informs me, that " al- 

 though this bird is not uncommon in the maritime districts of South Ca- 

 rohna during winter, it has not been observed to breed nearer than one 

 hundred miles from Charleston. Dr T. M. Brewer states, that " it re- 

 mains through the year at Boston, breeds in large numbers, and is seen 

 during winter in great flocks, in dull plumage, constantly flitting about." 



The palate is moderately ascending, the anterior part of the roof of 

 the mouth deeply and broadly concave, the lower mandible very narrow. 

 The tongue is 3^ twelfths long, emarginate and papillate at the base, 

 grooved above, horny and pointed. (Esophagus 1 inch 9 twelfths long, 

 dilated on the middle of the neck to 4^ twelfths, and lying on the right 

 side and behind. Proventriculus 4 twelfths in length and 2 twelfths in 

 breadth, stomach very small, elliptical, 5 twelfths long, 3^ twelfths broad, 

 the lateral muscles moderate. Intestine %\ inches long, its greatest 

 width 1 twelfth. Coeca 2 twelfths long, \ twelfth broad, 7 twelfths from 

 the extremity. 



Trachea 1 inch 4 twelfths long, | twelfth broad ; its rings about 60. 

 Bronchi very narrow, of about 12 rings. 



