Page 188 - The Error of the Evolution of Species

The Error of the Evolution
of Species

of these feed on seeds on the ground, they are known as

ground finches. These in turn are divided into three types,
according to their body and beak size: the great ground
finch (Geospiza magnirostris), the medium ground finch (G.
fortis) and the small ground finch (G. fuliginosa). The oth-
er ground finch types include the great cactus-eating ground
finch (G. conirostris), which has a longer beak and eats cac-
tus flowers and fruit pulp in addition to seeds, the small cac-

tus ground finch (G. scandens), and the sharp-beaked
ground finch (G. difficilis), which eats the eggs of other an-
imals and feeds on blood, as well as seeds.
Six of the Galapagos species are tree finches. Apart from
the vegetarian finch (Platyspiza crassirostris), these all feed
on insects. The woodpecker finch (Cactospiza pallida)
holds a cactus thorn in its beak to extract insects from their
hiding places. The mangrove finch (C. heliobates) uses its
thick, flat beak to catch insects in the swamps. The other

three tree-dwellers are the greater tree finch (Camarhyncus
psittacula), the medium tree finch (C. pauper) and the small
tree finch (C. parvulus). The vegetarian finch eats leaves,
seeds, fruits and flowers with its short, slightly curved beak.
The warbler finch (Certhidea olivacea) has a small, thin
beak and hunts insects. The Cocos Island finch
(Pinaroloxias inornata) is the only species living outside

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