CHAPTER y. 

 Family Frlngillldse. Finches, &c. 



This is the largest North American family and 

 comprehends nearly bne-eighth of all our "^birds. 

 It is the most extensive group in ornithology, and 

 represents in round nuntibers 50b current species 

 and I03 genera in nearly all parts 6f the world, 

 except Australia;' but in the northern' hemisphere 

 and thfoughout America, it attains its greatest 

 development. Any locality of the United 'States 

 of average attractiveness, has its avifauna" over. 200 

 species; and, at a distance from the sea-coast 

 unoccupied by marine birds,* one-fourth of its 

 species are Sylvicolidce and FringillidiB together, 

 the latter in excess. 



The FringillidcB represent more particularly 

 what used to be designated "conirostral'' birds. 

 Their bill approaches nearest to the ideal cone, 

 and unites great strength with delicacy of touch. 



The cone is sometimes nearly expressed, but 

 often turgid and conoidal; convex in most direc- 

 tions and so contracted as to become concave in 

 some of its outlines. Nostrils are ordinarily ex- 

 posed, but in many northern genera the base of 

 the bill is provided with a ruff and two tufts: of 

 antrorse feathers which more or less cover the 

 opening; cutting edges slightly notched, but 



