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Genus XV.— PITYLUS, Cuvier. CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 



Bill rather short, very robust, much higher than broad, tapering to a point; 

 upper mandible considerably smaller than the lower, with the dorsal line 

 convex, the ridge indistinct, the nasal sinus very wide, the sides convex, the 

 edges ascending rapidly for a third of their length, then direct, with a slight 

 festoon, slightly inflected, the notches faint, the tip a little deflected and 

 narrow; lower mandible with the angle semicircular, the dorsal line straight, 

 the sides at the base inflected, toward the end convex, the edges involute, 

 the tip acute. Nostrils basal, round, concealed by the feathers. Plumage 

 soft and blended, feathers of the head elongated and erectile; distinct bristles 

 at the base of the upper mandible. Wings of moderate length, much 

 rounded, the fourth and fifth quills longest, the first and eighth about equal. 

 Tail long, rounded. Tarsus short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes 

 moderate, hind toe stout, broad beneath, outer toe slightly longer than inner, 

 and adherent at the base. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute. 

 Upper mandible concave beneath, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue as 

 high as broad, convex above, tapering to a point. (Esophagus nearly uniform, 

 stomach pretty large, roundish, its lateral muscles strong. 



THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 



Pitvlus cardinalis, Linn. 



PLATE CCIII.— Male and Female. 



In richness of plumage, elegance of motion, and strength of song, this 

 species surpasses all its kindred in the United States. It is known by the 

 names of Red-bird, Virginia Nightingale, Cardinal-bird, and that at the head 

 of the present article. It is very abundant in all our Southern States, as 

 well as in the peninsula of the Floridas. In the western country a great 



