212 



cassell's book of birds. 



Finch. Their bodies are elongated, but powerfully built, the beak conical, the wings and tail of 

 moderate length, the tarsi strong, and the plumage soft and brilliant, black, gold, or red preponderating 

 in its coloration ; the beak is rounded and thick towards its base, and without any notch or hook at 

 the apex, its upper portion being prolonged like a shield among the feathers of the forehead. The 

 fourth quill of the wings is longer than the rest ; the tail, which is half covered by the wings when the 

 bird is at rest, is rounded or graduated towards its extremity; the tarsi are longer than the middle 

 toes, and covered in front with scaly plates ; the toes are of moderate length, armed with strong, bent, 

 and pointed nails. In some species the feathers on the top of the head take the form of a tuft, and in 

 others the cheeks are left bare. All the members of this group are social, cheerful, and active ; some 

 of them are rich in song. Their favourite haunts are in the woods, where they subsist principally upon 

 insects, snails, fruit, or seeds. Their nests are built with care, and display considerable artistic skill. 







'■ ,- "">jf A \ ""-> 7 v 



THE BO BLINK (Dolkhonyx orva'vorus). 



The TROOPIALS (Agelaii) include the smallest members of the last-mentioned group. In these 

 birds the roof of the beak is quite straight, and its margins bent at an angle towards the gape ; the 

 hinder toe is furnished with a spur-like claw. The 'plumage of the young differs considerably from 

 that of the parent birds, and is very various in its colours and markings. 



THE RICE-EIRD. 

 The Boelink, or Rice Bird (Dolichonyx oryzivoras), possesses so many features in common with 

 both Finches and Starlings as to render it difficult to decide amongst which it should really be placed. 

 This species is very numerous in North America, where it is much detested on account of the serious 

 damage it does to the fields of ripe grain. The principal characteristic of the group of Rice Eaters 

 to which this bird belongs is their strong, conical beak, which is of moderate length, and much 

 compressed towards the sides, the upper mandible being narrower than the lower portion, and 

 lying, as it were, enclosed within its edges. The body is compact, the head large, the wings of 



