LAND BIRDS. 461 
Family 56. FRINGILLIDA. Finches, Sparrows, Buntings, Linnets, 
Grosbeaks, Crossbills and Longspurs. 
The largest family of Michigan birds, including not less than 38 species. 
KEY TO SPECIES. 
Closed tail showing a distinct notch or fork (Fig. 112), that is, middle 
tail-feathers shorter than lateral feathers. Group 1. 
Closed tail rounded or double-rounded (Plate 53), the lateral tail-feathers 
always shorter than the middle ones. Group 2. 
Closed tail square or nearly so (Fig. 114) (sometimes slightly double- 
rounded), the middle and lateral feathers of about the same length. 
Group 3. 
Group 1. 
Closed tail with a distinet notch or fork. 
A. Wing over 4.25 inches. B, BB. 
B. Wings black, the primaries or secondaries, or both, with large white 
markings (patches). Evening Grosbeak. No. 206. 
BB. Wings brownish-black (fuscous), only their coverts white tipped, 
forming two white wing-bars. Pine Grosbeak. No. 207. 
AA. Wing less than 4.25 inches. ©, CC. 
C. Mandibles with hooked tips which cross each other like scissor 
blades. D, DD. 
D. With conspicuous white wing-bars. White-winged Crossbill. 
No. 210. 
DD. Without any white in wing. Red Crossbill. No. 209. 
CC. Mandibles not crossed. E, EE. 
E. Claw of hind toe twice as long as claw of middle toe. F, FF. 
F. Hind claw much curved. Snow Bunting. No. 218. 
FF. Hind claw little curved. Lapland Longspur. No. 219. 
EE. Claw of hind toe not twice as long as claw of middle toe. 
G, GG. 
G. Birds showing more or less bright blue, yellow or red 
(not brown). H, HH, HHH. 
H. Marked with red. JI, II. 
I. A conspicuous red cap or crown; chin black. 
Redpolls. Nos. 211-214. 
II. Most of plumage washed with red; chin not black. 
Purple Finch, male. No. 208. 
HH. Marked with blue, or whole body blue. Indigo 
Bird, male. No. 242. 
HHH. Marked with yellow. K, KK. 
K. Yellow mainly on head and body plumage; none 
on wings or tail. Goldfinch. No. 215. 
KK. Wings and tail with more or less yellow, head 
and body without. Pine Finch, Siskin. 
No. 216. 
