306 ZOOLOGY. 
(Vidua paradisea), the king widow bird, V. regia (pl. 101, fig. 7), and the 
red-billed, V. erythrorhynchus (pl. 101, fig. 8). They appear to .be very 
similar in habits to the little sparrows of the United States. 
Sub-fam. 2. Coccothraustine, or Grosbeaks. Bill large, very strong, 
broad at the base, conic; wings lengthened, more or less pointed; tail 
generally short; tarsi and feet rather short and robust. 
Contains about forty species of birds, which have the largest. and 
strongest bills of all the birds of this family. They inhabit various parts 
of the world, subsisting almost exclusively on seeds, for the purpose of 
obtaining which some of the species employ their strong bills in breaking 
such fruits as almonds, cherry-stones, &c. Many birds of this sub-family 
are very showy. The rose-breasted grosbeak of the United States belongs 
here (Guiraca ludoviciana). It is one of the most handsome of American 
birds, having the entire superior parts shining black, and the lower parts of 
the body white, with the breast very delicate rose red. 
The cardinal grosbeak (Cardinalis virginianus) also belongs here. The 
entire plumage is fine scarlet, except a small space around the bill, which is 
black ; and its high pointed crest gives it a graceful and elegant appearance. 
The males have loud and musical notes resembling those of a fife, which are 
constantly heard during the spring. The bird inhabits all North America. 
The hawfinch, Coccothraustes vulgaris (pl. 100, fig. 3), is the best - 
known European species. It is a bird of plain plumage inhabiting the 
entire continent. The green finch, C. chloris (pl. 101, fig. 4), is another 
common European species. 
Other birds of this group are distributed throughout the entire surface of 
the globe. 
Sub-fam. 3. Tanagrine, or Tanagers. Bill various, generally rather 
short, somewhat triangular at base, and slightly curved; wings moderate, 
sometimes pointed; tarsi and feet generally short and rather slender. 
Size various ; colors frequently gay. 
A sub-family of American birds, containing some of the most beautiful 
species which inhabit this continent. 
There are about two hundred and fifty species of tanagers, of which two 
only visit the Northern States in the summer. The best known is the 
‘scarlet tanager, or black-winged red-bird (Pyranga rubra), a beautiful bird 
with very brilliant scarlet plumage except the wings, which are deep black. 
It appears in Pennsylvania about the first of May, and lives during the 
summer almost exclusively in the woods, rarely approaching the habitations 
of man, though not very shy or timid. 
The other northern species is the summer red-bird (P. estiva), which is 
entirely purplish red, though not so showy as the former bird. 
Vastly the larger number of these birds inhabit South America, where 
they live in all descriptions of localities, generally perhaps preferring low 
trees and bushes in the vicinity of water. They feed indiscriminately on 
insects, fruits, and seeds. The bishop tanager (Tanagra episcopus) is a 
common and singulariy colored species; it is of a light blue, with a shading 
of greyish white. 
560 
