388 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



Other Grosbeaks are, the Hawfinch of Europe^ Coccotliraustes 

 vulgaris, and a closely allied species or race from Japan; and two 

 other species from China and Japan, C. melanura, and C. perso- 

 natus, are now placed under JEophona. 



The genus Pyrenestes, Swainson, consists of some remarkable 

 Grosbeaks from Africa, which are the only birds of this particular 

 division found out of the temperate portion of the Northern 

 hemisphere. 



A peculiar tribe of thick-billed Finches inhabits the Gala- 

 pago islands, off the West Coast of South America, which may 

 be classed near the Grosbeaks. They constitute the Geospizinai of 

 Bonaparte, and, although some of them, by their enormous bills, 

 approach the Grosbeaks, others have that organ lengthened, more 

 slender, and Starling-like. They live on seeds, and much on roots, 

 which they dig up; and they also eat portions of Cactus and other 

 vegetables. 



The genus Cardinalis, containing some fine scarlet plumaged 

 and crested Grosbeaks of North America, is usually placed in 

 this division, but Blyth considers it more strictly to belong to 

 the Bull-finches. 



2nd. — Bull-finches, Pyrrlmlince (in part) of some, PyrrJmlece, 

 Bonap. 



The Bull-finches have the bill smaller than in the Grosbeaks, 

 shorter, deeper, and more tumid, with the ridge convex ; the 

 wings are more rounded ; the tarsi are short, with the lateral toes 

 unequal, and they are tolerably arboreal in their habits. They 

 feed much on the buds of trees, especially in winter. They do 

 not associate in general in large flocks, and they have peculiar and 

 plaintive call-notes. There are very few species known. Bona- 

 parte places them as a sub-division of his Fringillinee, and Gray 

 joins them with the Rose-finches to make a distinct sub-family. 



Gen. Pyrrhula, Cuvier. 

 Char. — Bill short, as high and broad as long, tumid; the tip 

 slightly compressed and overhanging ; wings with 2nd, 3rd, and 

 4th primaries sub-equal and longest, the 1st and 5th shorter; 

 feet formed for perching, rather broad in the sole ; tail truncate, 

 emarginate, rather long. 



