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FRINGILLA. FINCH. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum conicum, rectum, Beak conic, straight, and 



acuminatum. acuminated. 



Pedes simplices, digitis tribus Feet simple, with three toes 



anticis, uno postico. before and one behind. 



TThE Finches, or Sparrows, may be readily dis- 

 tinguished from the Grosbeaks and Buntings, to 

 which they have a great affinity, by the form of 

 their beak, which is perfectly conic, slender to- 

 wards the end, and very sharp-pointed ; whereas 

 the Grosbeaks have theirs rounded from the base 

 to the point of each mandible ; and the Buntings 

 are armed with a hard knob in the middle of their 

 upper mandible, which the Finches do not possess. 



The birds of this genus are very numerous, and 

 oftentimes assemble in immense flocks, feeding on 

 seeds and grain, and also on insects and their larvae : 

 many of them are r much esteemed for the liveli- 

 ness of their songs, and the beauty and variety of 

 their plumage. 



