512 FOX-COLOURED SPARROW. 



an groove. CEsophagus 2 inches 4 twelfths long, its greatest width 

 3 twelfths. Stomach a strong muscular gizzard, 6 twelfths long, 10^ 

 twelfths broad ; the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous. Con- 

 tents of stomach, seeds and husks of barley. Intestine 9j inches long, 

 2 twelfths in width ; the coeca 4^ twelfths long, 1^ twelfth in breadth, 

 1^ inch from the extremity ; rectum very slightly dilated. 



Trachea 1 inch 7^ twelfths long, 1 twelfth in breadth ; its rings 

 75, besides 2 dimidiate rings. Bronchi very slender, of 15 half rings. 

 The muscles as in all the other species. 



FOX-COLOURED SPARROW. 



Fringilla iluca, Merrem. 



PLATE CVIII. Vol. II. p. 58. 



This delightful songster is found abimdantly on the Columbia River. 

 It breeds in the woody districts of the Fur Countries, up to the 68th 

 parallel. About Boston it is abundant during smnmer, generally skulk- 

 ing in the bushes and avoiding observation. It passes through Massa- 

 chusetts on its way south in the first week in November, and returns 

 about the 10th of April. It is very easily approached, and its note is 

 extremely beautiful. 



In this species the palate is moderately ascending, deeply concave, 

 with two prominent lines, at the meeting of which anteriorly is a small 

 soft projection. The upper mandible is moderately concave, with a 

 prominent middle line and two lateral ridges. The width of the mouth 

 is b\ twelfths. The tongue is 4 twelfths long, compressed, channelled 

 above, horny, rather obtuse, somewhat spoon-shaped at the point, as in 

 the Pine Finch. CEsophagus 2| inches long, its greatest width 4^ 

 twelfths, being slightly dilated towards the lower part of the neck. 

 The stomach is roundish, 7 twelfths long, 6 twelfths broad ; its lateral 

 muscles rather strong, the epithelium tough, longitudinally rugous. 

 Intestine 9^ inches long, from 3 twelfths to 2 twelfths in width : coeca 

 3^ twelfths long, \ twelfth in width, 1 inch distant from the extremity. 

 Trachea 1 inch 8 twelfths long, 1 twelfth in breadth ; the rings 72, and 

 2 dimidiate, firm ; bronchial rings about 15 ; the muscles as usual. 



