44 
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 
tail, which is nearly even. Middle claw longer than hind; outer lateral 
claw extending beyond base of middle (reaching to it in Pyrrkula and 
Carpodacus ). 9 J uv - not streaked. (Page 45.) 
Carpodacus. Pill variable, always more or less curved and swollen ; longer 
than high or broad ; the tip not hooked. Tail-coverts reaching over two 
thirds the tail, which is decidedly forked. Middle and hind claw about 
equal. 9 and juv. streaked, (Page 45.) 
c. Colors black and yellow. 
Chrysomitris. Bill nearly straight. Hind claw stouter and more curved, 
but scarcely longer than the middle anterior one. Outer lateral toe reaching 
a little beyond the base of the middle claw; shorter than the hind toe. 
Wings longer and more pointed. Tail quite*xleeply forked. (Page 46.) 
C. Hind claw considerably longer than the middle anterior one, with about the 
same curvature; claws attenuated towards the point, and acute. Lateral toes 
about equal. Wings usually almost one half longer than the tail, which is deeply 
forked. Tarsus shorter than middle toe. 
a. Points of mandibles overlapping. 
Loxia. Tarsus shorter than middle toe. Bill much compressed, elongate 
falcate, with the points crossing like the blades of scissors. Claws very 
large ; lateral extending beyond the base of the middle. Colors red or gray. 
Streaked in juv. (Page 47.) 
b. Points of mandibles not overlapping. 
iEgiothus. Tarsus equal to the middle toe. Bill very acutely conical ; out- 
lines and commissure perfectly straight. Lateral toes reaching beyond the 
base of the middle one. No ridge on the side of the lower mandible. 
Streaked ; a crimson pileum (except in one species). (Page 48.) 
Leucosticte. Culmen slightly decurved; commissure a little concave. 
Bill obtusely conical ; not sharp-pointed. A conspicuous ridge on the side 
of the lower mandible. Claws large ; the lateral not reaching beyond the 
base of the middle one. Colors red and brown. (Page 49.) 
I>. Hind claw much the largest ; decidedly less curved than the middle anterior 
one. Tarsus longer than the middle toe. Lateral toes equal ; reaching about to 
the base of the middle claw. Hind toe as long as or longer than the middle 
one. Bill very variable; always more or less curved and blunted. Palate 
somewhat tuberculate; margins of lower jaw much indexed. Tail slightly 
emarginate or even. Wings one half longer than the tail. First quill as long as 
the second. 
Plectrophanes. Colors black and white. With or without rufous nape or 
elbows. Much white on tail. (Page 49.) 
Genus HESPERXPHONA, Bonap. (Page 43.) 
Species and Varieties. 
Common Characters. Wings and tail black, the tertials with more or less 
whitish; body concolored, with more or less of a yellowish tinge. $. Body 
yellowish, more olivaceous above ; no white at base of primaries. 9 • Body gray- 
ish, merely tinged with yellow ; a white spot at base of primaries. Nest and 
esfsfs unknown. 
