235 



LOXIA. GROSBEAK. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum validum, crassum, 

 ad basin rotundatum : man- 

 dibula superiore crenata 

 aut integra ; inferiore recta, 

 apice obtusa. 



Nares parvae, rotundatae, in 

 basi rostri. 



Lingua integra. 



Beak strong, thick, and 

 rounded at the base ; with 

 the upper mandible cre- 

 nated or intire; and the 

 lower one straight and ob- 

 tuse. 



Nostrils small, rounded, and 

 situated at the base of the 

 beak. 



Tongue intire. 



TThE birds of this genus have a strong and 

 thick beak, by means of which they are enabled 

 to break the hardest stones of fruit with the 

 greatest facility : they are generally a shy and 

 solitary race, chiefly residing at a distance from 

 the abodes of man : very few of them have much 

 beauty in their songs. Their feet have three toes 

 before and one behind ; and their food generally 

 consists of fruits and seeds : we have but five spe- 

 cies of the genus indigenous. 



