Genus SERINUS. 
Passer apud Brisson, Orn. iii. p. 179 (1760). 
Fringilla apud Linneeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 320 (1766). 
Loxia apud Scopoli, Ann. I. Hist. Nat. p. 140 (1769). 
Serius, Koch, Baier. Zool. i. p. 229 (1816). 
Carduelis apud Lesson, Traité d’Orn. p. 443 (1831). 
Crithagra apud Swainson, Classif. of B. ii. p. 294 (1837). 
Dryospiza apud Keyserling & Blasius, Wirbelth. Eur. p. xli. (1840). 
Emberiza apud Blyth, J. As. Soc. Beng. xvi. p. 476 (1847), 
Pyrrhula apud Degland, Orn. Eur. i. p. 193 (1849). 
Oraegithus apud Cabanis, J. f. O. 1854, Erinnerungsschr. p. 94. 
Metoponia apud Bonaparte, Cat. Parzud. p. 3 (1856). 
Tue Serin Finches differ considerably from Carduelis and Chrysomitris in the form of the bill, 
which approaches much nearer to that of the Greenfinches; I have therefore deemed it advisable 
to place them next before the genus Ligurinus. In general habits the Serin Finches do not 
appreciably differ from the Siskin and Citril Finch; but, as a rule, most of the species affect the 
plains and cultivated places rather than the mountains, groves, and conifer-woods. Four species 
inhabit the Western Palearctic Region; but the genus is also represented in the Eastern 
Palearctic, Oriental, and Ethiopian Regions. Of these four species one, Serinus pusillus, has by 
many authorities been separated generically; and in habits and general appearance it exhibits 
some slight differences from the true Serin Finch, but not sufficient to warrant its being placed 
in a separate genus. It is said to affect mountains and conifer-woods much more than its allies 
do, and is always found at greater altitudes than the Serin Finch. 
The species included in the genus Serinus build more or less carefully constructed cup- 
shaped nests, which they place in a tree or bush, the materials used being mosses, grass bents, 
wool, feathers, &c., and they deposit several eggs, which in general character resemble those of 
the two preceding genera. 
Serinus hortulanus, the type of the present genus, has the bill short, stout, conical, broad 
at the base; nostrils basal, round, hidden by stiff frontal feathers directed forwards; gape straight, 
without bristles; wings moderately long, rather pointed, the first quill very small, being scarcely 
visible, the second, third, and fourth nearly equal, the second being the longest; tail moderate 
in length, deeply forked; tarsus and toes rather slight and weak, the former covered in front 
with four plates and three inferior scutelle; claws rather weak, curved, acute, laterally grooved. 
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