358 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



OKDER MACROCHIRES. THE GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, AND HUM- 



MINGBIRDS. 



CHARACTERS. Wings much lengthened, with 10 primaries; tail -feathers, 10; gape very 

 wide and deeply cleft, or else, (i. P., Sub-order Trochlli), bill long and slender, the tongue 

 extensile, and secondaries only six in number. 



Following is an analysis of the Families which have usually been 

 assigned to this Order. It may be remarked that the Trochilidce 

 possess very special characters which in the opinion of some system- 

 atists entitle them to rank as a distinct Order (Troclnli). The 

 Trocliilidce and Micropodidae being very much more nearly related 

 than either of these groups are to the Caprimulgidee, it is obvious 

 that the so-called "Order Macrochires" is a decidedly artificial 

 group. 



A. Secondaries more than 6; bill short, very broad at base, the gape deeply cleft; plu- 



mage not metallic. 



a. Middle toe much longer than lateral toes.itsclaw with inner edge pectinated; 



gape distinctly bristled; plumage much spotted and otherwise varied, the feath- 



ers soft, with downy or moth-like surface. (Sub-order Caprimulgi.). .Caprimulgidae. 



&. Middle toe not distinctly longer than lateral toes, its claws without pectinated 



edge; gape without bristles; plumage plain and compact. (Suborder 



Micropodidae. 



B. Secondaries only C; bill long as head, or longer, slender, the gape not deeply cleft, 

 plumage more or less metallic; size diminutive. (Suborder 2Voc/tt /('.).. TrocMlidae. 



