122 
ON THE OliASSIPICATION OP BIRDS. 
Like Arremon (fig. I 68 . 6 ), its 
bill has the more conic form pe- 
culiar to the former, although its 
bright colours, and the small 
notch in the upper mandible, 
give it an appearance of belong- 
ing to the latter. That Pipillo 
is either the last form in the 
tanagers, or the first in the 
finches, we consider to be beyond 
all doubt ; while the strong mu- 
tual resemblance of Pipillo ar- 
remon and Tardivola (c) shows 
their close connection. Upon a former occasion * we as- 
sodsilci Pipillo with the finches ; but more consideration, 
and the acquisition of two or three new species from 
Brazil, — one of which evinces some relationship in size 
and structure, although not in colours, to Agla'ia, — 
induce us to remove the group within the circle of the 
Tmiagrinm. These species we shall subsequently 
describe; and, having now candidly laid before the 
scientific reader the few difficulties which at present 
impede our further analysis of this interesting group, 
we shall at once proceed to the next. 
(135.) The FaiNoiLLiN.® may be correctly termed 
ground finches ; since, with scarcely any exception, they 
are all birds which habitually walk or hop in such 
siuations, and derive their chief sustenance from seeds 
of grasses and other plants. Like the generality of 
birds which live upon the ground, the plumage of 
nearly all the FringilHnte is of an earthy colour, that is, 
of different shades of brown, variegated with blackish 
sjiots or markings ; while their legs are light colourecL 
These peculiarities, although they cannot be well taken 
as strictly scientific characters, are yet so prevalent in 
this group, that the very aspect of the individuals, to 
the experienced eye, will at once show to which of the 
primary divisions of this family they naturally belong. 
* North. Zool. ii. 260. 
