Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME III.
GENUS XVII.--COCCOTHRAUSTES, Briss. GROSBEAK.
Bill of moderate length, extremely robust, almost as broad as the head, not
compressed, conical, pointed; upper mandible rather broader than the lower, with
the dorsal line slightly convex, the ridge indistinct, the nasal sinus extremely
wide and short, the sides rounded, the edges simply arched and a little
inflected, the notches almost obsolete, the tip a little deflected; lower
mandible with the angle extremely short and wide, forming the fourth of a
circle, the dorsal line straight, the sides at the base and in their whole
length convex, the edges involute, the tip acute; nostrils basal, round.
Plumage blended. Wings of moderate length, pointed, the outer three quills
nearly equal, the second longest. Tail of moderate length, emarginate. Tarsus
short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes moderate, hind toe stout, broad
beneath; outer toe a little longer than the inner, and adherent at the base.
Claws moderate, or rather stout, arched, compressed, acute. Upper mandible
concave beneath, with three prominent lines.