FEINGILLID^. — XXXIU. 77 



ruptly hooked at the tip ; both mandibles distinctly 

 notched. Wings short, rounded. Tail long. Tarsus 

 soutellate on the outside as well as in front. Sexes alike. 

 Species about 100, found in most parts of the world, 

 remarkable for their energy and pugnacity. 



* Kictus with bristles ; nostrils concealed by bristly tufts ; colors 

 black, white and gray. .... Lauius, 1. 



/. LANIUS, Linnseus. Shbikbs. 

 (VoUurio, Vigors.) 



1. L. boreah's, Vieill. Great Noethebn Sheike. 

 BuTCHEEBiEB. Clear bluish ash above; black bars'! 

 on side of head not meeting in front, interrupted , 

 by a white crescent on under eyelid; rump and shoulders 

 whitish; wings black; white below, waved with blackish; 

 L. 9^; W. 4^; T. 4f . Northern regions, S in winter to 

 Ohio R. and Potomac. 



2. L. ludovicianus, (L.) var. excubitaroides, (Sw.) 

 Coues. LoGGEEHEAD Sheikb. Clear ashy blue ; a 

 whitish superciliary line; black bars on sides of head 

 meeting across forehead; no crescent on under eyelid; 

 white below scarcely or not dark- waved; L. ^\; W. 4; ( 

 T. 4^. Western, E. to L. Michigan and Ohio R. (See 

 Addenda.) 



FAMILY XXXIII. — PRINGILLID^. 



{The Finches) 

 Primaries 9. Tarsus strictly oscine. Bill mostly 

 shorter than head, robust, of a conical form, with the 

 commissure more or less abruptly angulated near its 

 base; in other words, the "corners of the mouth drawn 

 down." This feature is usually unmistakeable, and it is 

 almost the only character pertaining to all the members 

 of the family. Even this is also shared by the Icteridm, 

 ■which, however, may generally be distinguished by the 

 greater length and slenderness of the bill. 



