Genus MONTIFRINGILLA. 
Passer apud Brisson, Orn. ii. p. 162 (1760). 
Fringilla apud Linneeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 321 (1766). 
Emberiza apud Scopoli, Ann. I. Hist. Nat. p. 146 (1769). 
Plectrophanes apud Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 504. 
Montifringilla, C. L. Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1278. 
Chionospina apud Kaup, Natiirl. Syst. p. 139 (1829). 
Orites apud Keyserling & Blasius, Wirbelth. Eur. p. 42 (1840). 
Geospiza apud Gloger, Gemeinn. Handb. Naturg. p. 254 (1842). 
Chionospiza apud G. R. Gray, Gen. of B. ii. p. 570, footnote (1849). 
Leucosticte apud Des Murs, fide Degland & Gerbe, Orn. Eur. i. p. 277 (1867). 
In many respects the Snow-Finches stand alone, and form a connecting link between the 
Sparrows and the true Finches, though many authors differ as regards the position to be assigned 
to this genus. For instance, Keyserling & Blasius place it between Mringilla and Coccothraustes, 
Degland and Gerbe between Fringilla and Carduelis, Sundevall between Linota and Cocco- 
thraustes, and G, R. Gray between Petronia and Passer. The Snow-Finches inhabit the moun- 
tain-ranges of the southern portions of the Palearctic Region and the northern part of the 
Oriental Region, and are essentially alpine birds, frequenting the higher mountain-ranges during 
the summer and descending into the lowlands only during the winter. Only one species, 
Montifringilla nivalis, inhabits the Western Palearctic Region; and full particulars respecting 
its habits are given in the article on that species. 
Montifringilia nivalis, the type of the genus, has the bill moderately long, conical, straight, 
stout at the base, and tapering gradually to a sharp point; nostrils basal, slightly covered by 
stiff feathers directed forwards; gape without bristles; wings rather long, pointed, the first 
three quills nearly equal, the second being longest; tail rather long, nearly even; feet and legs 
stout, the tarsus covered in front with four large and three inferior scutelle; claws strong, 
curved, laterally grooved, the hind toe and claw large and strong, the latter but slightly 
curved. 
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