266 



NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



is obviously an aberrant form in the genus Linaria ; but as we know not, at 

 present, the remaining types, its more immediate affinities must remain unex- 

 plained. The vertical breadth of the bill and the arched commissure bring it 

 into comparison with the Bullfinches. — Sw. 



DESCRIPTION 



Of a specimen, killed on the Saskatchewan, May, 1827- 



Colour. — General aspect above and beneath of a peculiar dark chestnut-brown or deep 

 umber-colour, a little lighter on the belly, and darkest on the chin, neck, and ears. Forehead 

 brownish-black, gradually changing into shining ash-grey, almost white on the hind head. 

 The nasal feathers whitish and very glossy. General colour of the wing feathers, tail, and 

 its covers, clove-brown ; lesser wing covers broadly edged with bright peach-blossom red, 

 changing its tints in different lights : the greater are more slightly edged with red ; and the 

 quills and tail have only narrow pale margins. Rump, and more particularly the upper 

 tail covers broadly tipped with rose-red ; flanks and under tail covers the same, but much 

 paler. 



Form. — Bill very conic, thick, strong, broad, entire ; the margins of both mandibles much 

 inflexed, and the commissure, as in the Bullfinches, slightly arched, without any abrupt 

 angle at the base. Nostrils concealed by imcumbent feathers ; and there is another tuft at 

 the angle of the mouth, defending the sides. Wings very long and pointed, the three first 

 quills nearly equal, the rest rapidly diminishing in succession : lesser quills truncate and 

 emarginate. Tail moderate, deeply forked. Tarsi much longer than in the typical Linariee, 

 and obviously formed more for walking : they appear about one-third longer than the hind 

 toe. Anterior toes fully developed ; the middle much longer than the hinder one ; the lateral 

 ones nearly equal : the tarsi longer than the middle toe and claw. The three anterior toes 

 all slightly, but unequally connected. Claws slender, acute, not much curved ; hinder one 

 the longest. — Sw. 



Dimensions. 



Inch. Lin. 



Length, total . . .69 



„ of tail ..28 



„ of folded wing . 4 



,, of bill above . C 



Length of bill from rictus 

 „ of tarsus . . 



,, of middle toe . 



Inch. 

 . 

 

 . 



Lin. 



6J Length of middle nail 

 9 ,, of hind toe 



6 ,, of its nail 



Inch, Lin. 



• 2| 



4£ 



3 



