Section III. OSCINES CONIROSTRES. 
Family FRINGILLIDA. 
Subfamily FRINGILLIN A. 
Genus CARDUELIS. 
Carduelis, Brisson, Orn. iii. p. 53 (1760). 
Fringilla apud Linneeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 318 (1766). 
Emberiza apud Scopoli, Ann. I. Hist. Nat. p. 144 (1769). 
Acanthus apud Bechstein, Gemeinn. Naturg. Deutschl. 2nd ed. ii. p. 199 (1807). 
Passer apud Pallas, Zoogr. Rosso-As. ii. p. 15 (1811). 
Spinus apud Koch, Baier. Zool. i. p. 233 (1816). 
Tue subfamily Fringilline has been considerably subdivided ; and but few authors agree in their 
mode of arrangement of the various genera contained in it. I have therefore had no little 
trouble in arriving at a decision on the subject, and there are yet many points on which I have 
scarcely succeeded in satifying myself; but, on the whole, I have, after taking structure, habits, 
and mode of reproduction into consideration, divided it into as natural groups as possible, though 
in so doing I have had to subdivide it rather more than I at first proposed todo. The present 
genus, which contains only Carduelis elegans and a closely allied Asiatic species, Carduelis 
caniceps (Vig.), is only found in the Palearctic, Ethiopian, and northern portion of the Oriental 
Region, one species inhabiting the Western Palearctic Region. In general habits the Goldfinch 
does not differ much from the other Finches. It inhabits groves, gardens, and fields, feeding 
chiefly on seeds of various kinds. Its flight is strong and rapid; in general habits it is lively 
and active; and its song is sweet and varied. It places its nest, which is neatly constructed of 
moss, grass, &c., and lined with the down of plants, on a tree or bush, and deposits several 
bluish white eggs marked with reddish or reddish brown. 
Carduelis elegans, the type of the genus, has the bill moderately long, straight, conical, 
tapering to a slender point, destitute of notch, the upper mandible extending beyond the lower 
one; nostrils circular, basal, concealed by feathers directed forward; gape without bristles ; 
wings long, rather broad, the first three quills nearly equal, the second longest; tail rather 
short, slightly emarginate; legs short, the tarsus covered in front with four plates and three 
inferior scutelle ; toes slender, compressed ; claws long, slender, arched, laterally grooved, acute ; 
plumage soft, blended; the fore part of the head rich scarlet in colour. 
a, 
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