122 oN THE CLASSIFICATION oF BIRDS. me 
= Like Arremon ( fig. 168.), 
bill has the more conic form D 
_ bright colours, and the sma 
= notch in the upper mandible 
= give it an appearance of belong: 
= ing to the latter. That, Pipill 
is either the last form in the 
tanagers, or the first in the 
= finches, we consider to be beyond — 
4 all doubt ; while the strong mu- 
= tual resemblance of Pipillo ar- 
SN remon and Tardivola (c) show 
their close connection. Upon a former occasion™ we as- 
sociated Pipillo with the finches ; but more consideration, — 
and the acquisition of two or three new species from 
Brazil,— one of which evinces some relationship in size 
and structure, although not in colours, to Aglaia, 
induce us to remove the group within the circle of the 
Tanagrine. These species we shall subsequently 
describe ; and, having now candidly laid before the 
scientific reader the few difficulties which at present 
impede our further analysis of this interesting group, 
we shall at once proceed to the next. 
(135.) The Frinemiin2 may be correctly termi | 
ground finches ; since, with scarcely any exception, they 
are all birds which habitually walk or hop in such 
siuations, and derive their chief sustenance from seeds\ 
of grasses and other plants. Like the generality of! 
birds which live upon the ground, the plumage of 
nearly all the F'ringilline is of an earthy colour, that is, 
of. different shades of brown, variegated with blackish — 
spots or markings; while their legs are light coloured. 
These peculiarities, although they cannot be well taken) 
as strictly scientific characters, are yet so prevalent in) 
this group, that the very aspect of the individuals, to. . 
the experienced eye, will at once show to which of 
der divisions of this family they naturally a 
* North. Zool. ii. 260. t \ 
