2 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



A. Nostrils oval. Loral and frontal feathers with bristly points, or interspersed with 

 bristles ; rictus with longer or shorter liristles. 



SaxicolidsB. Wings very long and much pointed, reaching beyond the middle 

 of tlie short square or emarginated tail, and one and a half times or more the 

 length of the latter. The spurious primary very short, the second quill longer 

 than the fourth. In the closed wing the outer secondary reaches only about two 

 thirds the length of longest primary. 



Turdidae. Wings moderate, more rounded, not reaching beyond middle of the 

 often rounded tail, and not more than one and a third the latter, usually more 

 nearly equal. Spurious primary sometimes half the length of second quill ; the 

 second quill shorter than the fourth. In the closed wing the outer secondary 

 reaches three fourths or more the length of longest primary. 



B. Nostrils linear, in lower edge of na.sal membrane. Loral and frontal feathers soft 

 and downy, and no bristles or bristly points whatever about the mouth. 



Cinclid^. Body very short and Ijroad. Wings short, rounded, and concave. 



The American Sylviidm are in .some respects very closely related to the 

 Saxicolidm, but may be distinguished by their nnicli smaller size, more 

 slender and depressed bill, more strongly bristled I'ictus, etc. ; on M-liieh 

 account they are more strictly " fly-catchers," taking their prey in great 

 part on the wing. 



Of the three families, the Tvrdidm contain a great variety of forms, 

 and exhibit widely different characters, rendering it exceedingly difficult 

 to arrange them in any systematic or regular se(iuence, or to accurately 

 define their boundaries. In the Birds of North America, the Mocking 

 Tlirushcs were placed among the Wrens, on account of the distinct tarsal 

 scutelhe, and other characters. We are now, however, inclined to believer- 

 with Dr. Sclater, that their place is witli the recognized Ttirdidccjaufi, 

 among other reasons, on the ground of their more deeply cleft toes, and 

 greater extension forward of frontal feathers. Tlie following synoijsis of 

 the North American forms will serve the purpose of determining the genera, 

 even if these are not arranged or combined in a strictly natural manner. 



A. Turdinee. — Tarsus covered anteriorly with a continuous plate without 

 scales. 



Wings decidedly longer than the tail, which is nearly even. Bill con- 

 siderably shorter than the head. 



First quill usually not one fourth the .second. Wings pointed. Tarsus 

 hardly the; length of head, but yet longer than middle too; outstretched 

 toes falling short of tip of tail ........ Turdus. 



B. Miminae. — Tarsi scuteUate anteriorly ; scales seven. 



Wings decidedly longer than the tail, which is nearly even. Tarsus as 



long as the head. 



Bill decidedly shorter (han the liead, scarcely notched ; wings pointed ; 

 first Cjuill less than half the second , third and Iburth longest. Claws 

 not peculiar. Bristles prominent. Tarsus considerably longer than 

 middle toe and claw ......... Oreoxcoptef:. 



