TAB. I.
L O X I A OR IX.
C H A R A C T E R GENERICUS.
Roftrum conico-gibbum, frontis bafi rotundatum verfus caput: mandíbula inferior margine
laterali inflexa.
Nares in bafi roftri.
hingua integra.
C H A R A C T E R SPECIFICUS, &c.
Loxia grifea, fronte abdomineque nigris, collo uropygioque fulvis, roftro nigro.
Paffer angolenfis, capite nigro, collo et uropygio flavis. EDW. AV. t. 178.
G E N E R I C CHARACTER.
Bill conically gibbofe, at tlie bafe of the forehead rounded towards the head; lower mandible
bent inwards on the lateral edge.
Nojlrils in the bafe of the bill.
Tongue entire.
S P E C I F I C CHARACTER, See.
Brown Loxia, with face, beak, and abdomen, black; neck, back, and ihoulders, red.
The Grenadier-bird. EDWARDS? pi. 178.
THE generic charaifters of animals, though eftablirtied by Linnjeus with an accuracy far fuperior
to that of any former Naturalift, are yet not to be underftood as abfolutely and entirely
beyond all alteration or improvement. In defcriptions of this nature we mull not expeft mathematical
exaftnefs; it is fjfficient if the charafters eftabliihed for each genus be found
adequate to the purpofe of comprehending, under one affortment, a certain number of animals
agreemg in thofe charaaers; though Ibme particular fpecies may not poflefs them quite fo ftrikingly
as others. The beautiful bird figured on this Plate is in die Syftema Natiira; of Linna:u
ranked under the genus Emberiza, and called Emberiza Orix. In the Mantiffa however to the
fame work, publiftied in 1771, it is referred to the genus Loxia, and is named Loxia Orix.
In faft, the charafters of the two genera of Loxia and Emberiza are fuch that feveral fpecies
might be adduced, which might, with almoil equal propriety, rank under either genus. This
elegant bird is about the fize of a fparrow. It is commonly called the Grenadier-bird. The
forehead, cheeks, throat, breaft, and belly, are black; the reft of the body of a beautiful red,
which however, in ibme fpecimens, rather borders on orange-colour. It is an inhabitant of the
Illand of St. Helena, and alfo of the Cape of Good Hoije, where it is plentiful. It delights in
watry places, where reeds grow. In fiich places thefe birds ailemble in numbers, and are faid,
from the brilliancy of their plumage, to make a moft beautiful appearance; the vi\id red of
their bodies appearing, amongft the green reeds, like ib many fcarlet lilies. The wings and tail
are brown; the legs pale; the beak of a dark colour.
itmtrn