Genus CHRYSOMITRIS. 
Carduelis apud Brisson, Orn. iii. p. 65 (1760). 
Passer apud Brisson, tom. cit. p. 182 (1760). 
Fringilla apud Linnzeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 320 (1766). 
Emberiza apud Scopoli, Ann. I. Hist. Nat. p. 144 (1769). 
Linaria apud Leach, Syst. Cat. M. & B. Brit. Mus. p. 15 (1816). 
Spinus apud Koch, Baier. Zool. p. 234 (1816). 
Serinus apud Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 555. 
Chrysomitris, Boie, Isis, 1828, p. 322. 
Citrinella apud Bonaparte, Comp. List, p. 34 (1838). 
Chlorospiza apud Keyserling & Blasius, Wirbelth. Eur. p. xli. (1840). 
Cannabina apud Degland, Orn. Kur. i. p. 254 (1849). 
Chloroptila apud Salvadori, Atti R. Acc. Sc. di Tor. vii. p. 260 (1871). 
TuoueH closely resembling Carduelis in the form of the bill, Chrysomitris appears to be fairly 
separable by several small differences, such as the general predominance of yellowish green in 
the plumage and lacking the rich scarlet colouring on the head; I have therefore deemed it 
advisable to separate them. ‘This genus is distributed throughout the Palearctic and Nearctic 
Regions, as well as the northern portions of the Ethiopian, Oriental, and Neotropical Regions, 
two species only being found within the limits of the Western Palearctic Region. 
Like the Goldfinches the species belonging to the present genus frequent groves, gardens, 
orchards, &c., but are more frequently found in larger woods, and more especially in those where 
conifer trees predominate. During the autumn and winter, however, they resort to the fields 
and open places, and feed on seeds of various kinds, being especially partial to the seeds of the 
alder and birch. They are active and lively birds; and their flight is strong and swift. Their 
ordinary note is clear and sweet; and their song, though not very varied, is musical and pleasant. 
They construct neat cup-shaped nests of moss, rootlets, &c., lined with plant-cotton and feathers, 
and deposit pale greenish eggs spotted with reddish. 
Chrysomitris spinus, the type of the genus, has the bill short, stout, straight, conical, tapering 
to an acute point; nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by short, stiff feathers directed forward ; 
gape without bristles; wings rather long, the first three quills nearly equal and longest; tail 
rather short, forked; legs and toes slender, the tarsus covered in front with four plates and 
three inferior scutelle; claws moderately long, laterally grooved, curved, acute; plumage soft, 
blended, the predominant colour being yellowish green. 
48 
DOO 
