FRINGILLINiE. PITYLUS. 
131 
GENUS XV. PITYLUS, Cuvier. CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 
Bill rather short, very robust, much higher than broad, 
tapering to a point ; upper mandible considerably smaller 
than the lower, with the dorsal line convex, the ridge in- 
distinct, the nasal sinus very wide, the sides convex, the 
edges ascending rapidly for a third of their length, then di- 
i;ect, with a slight festoon, slightly inflected, the notches 
faint, the tip a little deflected and narrow ; lower mandible 
with the angle semicircular, the dorsal line straight, the 
sides at the base inflected, toward the end convex, the edges 
involute, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, round, concealed by 
therfeathers. Plumage soft and blended, feathers of the 
head elbngatedf and erectile ; distinct bristles at the base of 
the upper mandible. Wings of moderate length, much 
rounded, the fourth and fifth quills longest, the first and 
eighth about equal. Tail long, rounded. • Tarsus short, com- 
pressed, with seven scutella ; toes moderate, hind toe stout, 
broad beneath, outer toe slightly longer than inner, and ad- 
herent at the base. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, 
acute. Upper mandible concave beneath, with three longi- 
tudinal ridges ; tongue as high as broad, convex above, ta- 
pering to a point. CEsophagus nearly uniform, stomach 
pretty large, roundish, its lateral muscles strong. 
203. 1. Pitylus Cardinalis, Linn. Common Cardinal Gros- 
beak. — Cardinal Bird. Red Bird. Virginian Night- 
ingale. 
Plate CLIX. Male and Female. 
Male with the bill coral-red ; plumage vermilion, duller on the upper 
parts ; anterior part of forehead, lores, and throat black, inner webs of 
quills brown. Female with the bill paler, the upper parts yellowish- 
grey, the lower greyish-yellow, capistrum dusky ; some of the crest- 
feathers, the wings and tail, as in the male, but of a fainter tint. 
Male, 8i, 11^. 
Breeds abundantly from Texas to New York. Very rare in Massa- 
