[ Fam. X. FRINGILLIDÆ, or FINCHES.]
The extensive family of Finches, which has numerous representatives in every part of the world, is well represented in the Argentine Republic. Within the limits assigned to the present work forty-six species of his group are already known to occur, and it is probable that this number will be somewhat increased when the Argentine avifauna is thoroughly worked out.
Most of the genera to which the Argentine Finches belong are forms peculiar to the Neotropical Region, or at all events to the New World. The genus Chrysomitris, which contains our Siskin and other Old-World species, is the only one which has a wider distribution.
One of the most characteristic forms of Argentine Fringillidæ is Poospiza, of which seven species are met with within the limits of the Republic, while Lophospingus, Donacospiza, Gubernatrix, and Saltatricula are Fringilline types peculiar to Argentina.
[47.] PHEUCTICUS AUREIVENTRIS (d’Orb. et Lafr.).
(BLACK-AND-YELLOW THICK-BILL.)
Pheucticus aureiventris, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 27; White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 598 (Salta); Sharpe, Cat. B. xii. p. 55.
Description.—Above, also head, throat, and chest, black; lesser wing-coverts yellow; two spots on the greater coverts and the base of the primaries white; tail black, the three outer feathers on each side tipped with white; belly and under wing-coverts bright yellow; sides sparsely spotted with black; bill and feet black: total length 8·7 inches, wing 4·5, tail 3·5. Female similar.
Hab. Bolivia and Northern Argentina.
Examples of this fine species, originally discovered by d’Orbigny in Bolivia, were obtained by White in the forests of Salta.