_Chondestes_, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 435.—IB. Fauna Bor.-Am.
II, 1831. (Type, _Chondestes strigatus_, SW., equal to _Fringilla
grammaca_, SAY.)
[Line drawing: _Chondestes grammaca._
5557 ♂]
GEN. CHAR. Bill swollen; both outlines gently curved; the lower
mandible as high as the upper; the commissure angulated at the base,
and then slightly sinuated. Lower mandible rather narrower at the base
than the length of the gonys; broader than the upper. Tarsi moderate,
about equal to the middle toe; lateral toes equal and very short,
reaching but little beyond the middle of the penultimate joint of the
middle toe, and falling considerably short of the base of middle claw.
Wings, long, pointed, reaching nearly to the middle of the tail; the
tertials not longer than the secondaries; the first quill shorter than
the second and third, which are equal. The tail is moderately long,
considerably graduated, the feathers rather narrow, and elliptically
rounded at the end.
Streaked on the back. Head with well-defined large stripes. Beneath
white, with a pectoral spot. Only one species recognized.
Chondestes grammaca, BONAP.