108 
ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 
the Fmirostres, Besides, it is abundantly evident, 
throughout the animal creation, that all rasorial groups 
do not possess the whole of those characters which belong 
par excellence to the type itself • for in the very next 
tribe to this, we have the equally small sized Sylviadce, 
although they unquestionably form the rasorial division 
of the Dentirostres, 
(124.) The general characters of this family are too 
well known to every one at all acquainted with birds, to 
require an elaborate exposition. The sparrow, bunting, 
greenfinch, goldfinch, all our little thick-hilled birds, in 
short, form a portion, and give a very correct idea of 
the general character, of this family, certainly the most 
extensive in their number and interesting in their habits 
of aU the conirostral groups. In general appearance 
they may be distinguished as having the hill remarkably 
short, very conic, and consequently very strong. In only 
one of the divisions (the tanagers), do we find that the 
upper mandible is distinctly notched and bent over the 
lower. This structure is continued to a few birds, which 
border upon the group of tanagers, such as the sparrows ; 
a structure which indicates a mixed diet of insects and 
seeds. In some the colours are uncommonly rich, and 
beautifully combined ; but in the majority, and entirely 
among the ground finches, the plumage is dull and home- 
ly. Finches are dispersed over all the temperate, and 
even in the arctic, regions of the world ; since, where- 
ever vegetation exists, seeds are produced ; and these are 
the chief, if not the only, food of the FringilUdce. 
Nevertherless the different minor groups, as we shall 
presently notice, have different regions assigned to them. 
The feet are always perfect, — that is, there are three toes 
before and one behind, all of which are cleft to their 
base, — sb that the birds may freely move botli upon 
the ground and among trees. 
(125.) The primary divisions or subfamilies will 
now be slightly characterised. The typical group is 
that of CoccothraustincB, composed of the hawfinches, 
weavers, goldfinches, and linnets. They live entirely 
