Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME III.
GENUS XII.--CORYTHUS, Cuv. PINE-FINCH.
Bill short, robust, bulging at the base, conical, acute; upper mandible of
the same breadth as the lower, with its dorsal line very convex, the nasal sinus
semicircular, the sides convex, the edges sharp, overlapping, gently ascending
at the base, then arched, with a slight festoon, the notches obsolete, the tip
declinate, acute; lower mandible with the angle semicircular, the dorsal line
slightly convex, the back rounded at the base, the sides convex, the edges
somewhat inflected, the tip obtuse. Nostrils basal, round, concealed by bristly
feathers. Head large, roundish-ovate; neck short; body moderately stout; feet
short; tarsus short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes stout, the first
proportionally large, the lateral nearly equal, the outer adherent at the base.
Claws long, moderately arched, compressed, acute, that of the third toe longer
than that of the first. Plumage soft, full, rather blended; two tufts of
bristly feathers at the base of the upper mandible directed forwards. Wings of
moderate length, pointed, the first, second, and third, nearly equal. Tail
rather long, deeply emarginate. Roof of the mouth concave, with five prominent
ridges; tongue deeper than broad, in its distal half oblong, concave, obtuse,
and horny; oesophagus dilated about the middle; stomach large, muscular, with
the lateral muscles distinct, and the epithelium rugous, intestine long, and
rather slender; coeca very small; cloaca oblong.