Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME III.
GENUS XI.--ERYTHROSPIZA, Bonap. PURPLE-FINCH.
Bill rather short, robust, bulging, conical, pointed; upper mandible a
little broader, with the nasal sinus very short and broad, the dorsal line a
little convex, the ridge indistinct, the sides rounded, the edges a little
inflected, ascending at the base, afterwards direct, the notches faint, the tip
slightly deflected, rather acute; lower mandible with the angle short and
rounded, the dorsal line ascending, straight, the back and sides rounded, the
edges involute, the tip acute. Nostrils roundish, partially concealed by the
short reflexed bristly feathers. Head large, roundish-ovate; neck short, body
moderate. Tarsus short, slender, compressed, with seven scutella; toes rather
small, first stout, lateral nearly equal. Claws slender, much compressed,
well arched, acute. Plumage soft and rather blended; feathers of the hind head
somewhat elongated and pointed. Wings of moderate length, rather pointed, the
outer four quills longest. Tail of moderate length, deeply emarginate. Upper
mandible concave beneath, with two prominent lines, of which the lateral are
much larger; tongue higher than broad, channelled above, the tip somewhat
rounded and concave; oesophagus dilated about the middle; stomach roundish,
muscular; intestine short; coeca very small.