128 PINE LINNET. 



bles the European Larch (Pinus Larix) in appearance, and in the quality 

 of its wood. The leaves are deciduous and fasciculate, the cones small, 

 oblong, their scales rounded with inflected margins. It is usually known by 

 the names of tamarack or hackmatack. 



Genus VIII. — CARDUELIS, Cuv. GOLDFINCH. 



Bill short, or of moderate length, conical, very stout at the base, com- 

 pressed toward the end, and tapering to a fine point; upper mandible a little 

 broader, with the nasal sinus very broad, the dorsal outline very slightly 

 convex, the ridge narrowed toward the end, the sides convex, the edges a 

 little inflected and overlapping, the edges slightly ascending at the base, the 

 notches obsolete, the tip very acute; lower mandible with the angle short 

 and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the tip very acute. 

 Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the feathers. Head roundish-ovate; 

 neck short; body rather full. Legs rather short; tarsus short, compressed, 

 slender, with seven scutella; toes moderate, the first large, the lateral nearly 

 equal. Claws long, compressed, moderately curved, very acute. Plumage 

 very soft and blended. Wings rather long, pointed, the first, second, and 

 third quills about equal and longest. Tail rather short, deeply emarginate. 

 Roof of upper mandible deeply concave; tongue grooved above, pointed; 

 oesophagus dilated about the middle; stomach small, broadly elliptical, mode- 

 rately muscular; intestine short; cceca very small. 



