ORDER SIXTH. 



SLENDER-BILLED BIRDS. (Tenuirostres. 

 Cuvier, Bonajp.) 



In these birds the bill is long, or only moderately ex- 

 tended, partly arched, and elongated awl-shaped ; it is 

 also entire and acute, or sometimes wedge-shaped at the 

 extremity. The feet with 3 toes before, and 1 behind, 

 the outer united at base to the middle one, hind toe gen- 

 erally long, the nails extended and curved. 



All the birds of this order bear a relation to those of 

 the 2d section of the preceding, or cUmhing Zygodactyli. 

 Like them they generally cling to, and vertically ascend 

 the trunks and branches of trees, or the facades of rocks, 

 as well as hold themselves firmly upon them. Nearly all 

 of them are insectivorous, and their food and means of 

 procuring it are almost similar to that of the Woodpeck- 

 ers. Their tongues are pointed, or divided at the extrem- 

 ity like a pencil, and more or less capable of extension. 

 They build generally in hollow trees, or the clefts of rocks, 

 and scarcely construct a nest. Their voice is quaint or 

 unpleasant ; and though often incautious, their usual 

 manners are shy and retiring. 



NUTHATCHES. (Sitta. Lin.) 



In these the bill is straight, moderate-sized, conic-awl-shaped, 

 rounded, and sharp-edged towards the point; lower mandible usually 

 recurved from the middle. The nostrils basal, orbicular, open, 



