138 STANLEY GOLDFINCH. 



yellow in its basal third, except on the middle feather; lower parts greenish- 

 yellow, fading into white on the abdomen; feathers on the throat black at 

 the base; lower tail-coverts yellow, tipped with white, and having a central 

 dusky streak. Female dull yellowish-green above, faintly streaked with 

 dusky, paler beneath. 



In this species, which I have named in honour of the illustrious Earl of 

 Derby, the bill is so thick and short, as to approach in form to that of the 

 European Greenfinch. 



Male, 4^ inches long; wing from flexure 2y£; found in Upper California. 



Gexus IX.— FRINGILLA, Linn. FINCH. 



Bill short, stout, conical, somewhat comprised, pointed; upper mandible 

 of the same breadth as the lower, with its dorsal line straight, the ridge 

 indistinct, the sides rounded, the edges ascending at the base, the notches 

 obsolete, the tip scarcely deflected; lower mandible with the angle very short 

 and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges inflected, 

 the tip acute. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the feathers. Head 

 rather large, ovate; neck short; body compact. Legs of moderate length; 

 tarsus rather short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes moderate; hind toe 

 stout, lateral equal. Claws rather long, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage 

 rather compact, but blended. Wings of moderate length, with the second, 

 third, and fourth quills longest. Tail of moderate length, slightly emargi- 

 nate. Roof of upper mandible moderately concave, with three longitudinal 

 ridges; tongue compressed, channelled above, dilated about the middle; 

 stomach roundish, muscular; intestine rather short; coeca small. 



