Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME III.
GENUS II.--EMBERIZA, Linn. BUNTING.
Bill short, robust, tapering, somewhat compressed; upper mandible with its
dorsal line declinate and slightly convex, the ridge indistinct, the sides
convex, the edges a little inflected, ascending to beneath the nostrils, then
descending or direct, with a slight notch close to the narrow tip; lower
mandible with the angle short and wide, the dorsal line ascending, and very
slightly convex, the ridge broad at the base, the sides convex, the edges
inclinate, their outline ascending for a third or more of its length, then
direct, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, roundish. Head large, ovate; neck very
short; body rather stout. Feet of moderate length, rather strong; tarsus of
ordinary length, compressed, with seven anterior scutella; toes rather large;
the hind toe strong, and longer than the lateral, which are equal, the third
much longer, and united to the fourth at the base. Claws long, arched, much
compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended, but firm. Bristles feeble. Wings
rather long, with the second and third quills longest. Tail of moderate length,
emarginate.