AVES. 357 
Several of the handsome crested tanagers are common in collections, 
especially the scarlet crested species (Tachyphonus cristatus), which is a 
bird about the size of the orchard oriole, with the plumage entirely black 
except a brilliant erect scarlet crest. The most richly colored birds of this 
large sub-family are, however, the paradise tanagers. Of these, perhaps, 
the most beautiful is a species sometimes called the seven-colored tanager, 
Calliste tatao (pl. 101, fig. 11), which has the plumage of that number of 
distinct colors. Another is the tricolored tanager (C. tricolor), which 
has three colors, blue, green,.and orange. Many other species have very 
gay and agreeably colored plumage, though said to possess little or no 
song. 
The Towhe buntings or chewinks are arranged here, of which one 
species (Pipilo erythrophthalma) is very common in the United States. 
Sub-fam. 4. Fringilline, Sparrows and Finches. Baill short, conic, com- 
pressed to the tip; wings generally lengthened and pointed ; tail various, 
usually rather lengthened and rounded ; tarsi and feet generally long and 
slender. Size small. 
An extensive group, comprising about two hundred and fifty little birds, 
found in all countries. They are well known everywhere for their familiar 
and harmless habits, and general disposition to frequent the vicinity of 
cultivated places or the abodes of man. They feed on seeds and fruits, 
and many species live habitually on the ground. 
There are several European species, among the most common of which 
are the house-sparrow, Fringilla domestica (pl. 100, fig. 6a) ; the mountain 
sparrow (f. montana); the chaffinch, F. celebs (pl. 101, fig. 12); the 
brambling (f°. montifringella), and some others. 
The North American species are the white-throated sparrow (Zono- 
trichia albicollis), the song sparrow (Z. melodia), the white-crowned 
sparrow (Z. leucophrys), the grass sparrow (Z. graminea), the rush spar- 
row (Z. juncorum), the chipping sparrow (Z. soctalis), the fox sparrow 
(Z. iliaca), and a number of others less common. 
The song sparrow, and the chipping sparrow or chippy, as it is usually 
called, are perhaps the most abundant birds in the United States. The 
former may be met with almost every day in the year in all hedges or in 
the neighborhood of small water-courses; and the latter, in all the gardens 
and orchards, fields and meadows, of the whole country. Both are plain- 
plumaged, but very agreeable little birds, possessing very pleasant voices, 
and are great favorites with our rural population. 
The goldfinches belong here. The best known European species is the 
common goldfinch, Carduelis elegans (pl. 101, fig. 10); another is the 
siskin, C. spinus (pl. 101, fig. 9). The American species are the thistle 
bird (C. tristis), the western goldfinch (C. psaltria), the Mexican gold- 
finch (C. mexicana), Lawrence’s goldfinch (C. lawrencei), and several 
others. 
Many other little birds of all countries are arranged in this group. The 
amaduvat, Fringilla amaduva (pl. 101, fig. 6), is an Indian species; the 
little Senegal finch, J. senegala (pl. 101, fig. 5), inhabits Africa. 
ICONOGRAPHIC ENCYCLOPZDIA.— VOL. II. 36 561 
