406 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



placing it here as a connecting link between the Rose-finches 

 and the true Finches. 



Gen. Pyrrhospiza, Hodgson. 



Char. — Bill conical, elongate, with slightly curved outline both 

 above and below, somewhat compressed, and tapering to the tip as 

 viewed from above ; gonys arched ; wings long, reaching to more 

 than half the length of the tail, which is also moderately long ; 

 first four primaries sub-equal, 2nd and 3rd rather the longest ; feet 

 adapted for ground habits ; toes rather long, with large and arched 

 claws. 



747. Pyrrhospiza punicea, Hodgson. 



J. A. S., XIII., 953— Blyth, Cat. 656— Horsf., Cat. 694— 

 Propyrrhula rubeculoides, Hodgs., P. Z. S., 1845. 



The Large red-breasted Finch. 



Descr. — Male, above nearly uniform dusky brown, the feathers 

 margined with paler ; forehead and rump, with the cheeks, ear- 

 coverts, and under parts, except the abdominal region, roseate in 

 winter, brightening to rich crimson in the breeding season, and 

 varying to orange saffron; flanks and abdomen colored like the 

 back. 



Bill dark horny ; feet dusky black. Length 7i to 8 inches ; 

 wing 4^ to 4f ; tail 3£. 



The female is devoid of the red, having the forehead, cheeks, 

 fore-neck, and breast, more or less fulvescent, each feather marked 

 with a blackish mesial streak, widening at the tip ; belly and 

 lower tail-coverts, dingy brown. 



This fine Finch has hitherto only been found in the higher 

 regions of the Himalayas, bordering the Snows. I did not 

 procure it in Sikim. It is probable, however, that this and 

 others of the cold-weather visitants to Nepal and other parts of the 

 Himalayas, are to be met with in the interior of Sikim, towards 

 the Snows, my researches having been limited to British Sikim. 



5th. True Finches. 

 The next bird, though somewhat allied to the preceding, is 

 sufficiently marked to warrant its generic separation. It has been 



