21 0 CHESTNUT-CROWNED SAND-FINCH. 
aspect, it evidently belongs to the true Finches of 
the sub-family Fringillinm. 
The structure of the wing in this bird is so en- 
tirely different from all its congeners, that with 
every wish to avoid a multiplicity of sub-genera, we 
deem it essential to add this to the number. Ac- 
cording to our present views, it represents the 
American sub-genus, Chondestes , on the African 
continent ; a relation which we deem to be one of 
analogy only, notwithstanding the close resemblance 
between the two types in all but their wings and 
tail. The wings, in fact, of Agrophilus, distinguish 
it at first sight from every other Finch (Fringil- 
linw ) with which we are acquainted ; for the first 
quill is so short as not to equal half the length of 
that of the second. The tail is narrow and quite 
even, while in Chondestes it is broad and rounded. 
We should not have thought this was the species 
figured in Dr. Riippelfs Atlas, had he not verbally 
assured us it was, the tarsi being represented in his 
plate much longer than in our specimen. 
Size of a sparrow. Ground colour of the upper 
plumage light or drab brown ; crown, nape, and 
part of the neck, above, chestnut rufous ; ears 
nearly the same, but not so bright, having the space 
around and a stripe over the eye cream coloured 
white ; on each side of the neck is a black stripe 
composed of triangular spots, which commence under 
the chin and extend as far as the breast ; wings 
blackish-brown, with pale edges ; the lesser covers, 
more especially, are broadly tipt with whitish ; tail 
