322 EEVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [rART I. 



Basal phalanx of anterior toes abbreviated ; that of median toe decidedly 

 shorter than the basal of inner, or the two basal of outer, and adherent 

 • for its whole length on both sides to the lateral (*. e., not free at all). 

 Lateral plates of tarsus undivided, except at extreme lower end. 



Vireonidae. Gonys more than half the length of lower jaw (from tip to 

 angle of mouth), usually longer than width of mouth, which is narrow. 

 Bill conical, much compressed, decurved at end and notched, but 

 scarcely toothed. Frontal feathers bristly and erect, or bent but slightly 

 forward. Nostrils overhung by membrane. Tarsus longer than middle 

 toe and claw. Lateral toes generally unequal ; outer claw reaching 

 half way along middle claw. 



Basal phalanx of middle toe about as long as the basal of inner, or the two 

 basal of outer ; free externally, at least for about one-third its length, 

 internally for about one-half. Lateral plates of tarsus with decided 

 tendency to subdivision (except in Myiadestinas) . 



Ampelidae. Gonys decidedly less than half the length of lower jaw, or 

 than width of mouth, which is very broad and deeply cleft. Bill tri- 

 angular, much depressed, decurved at end and notched, with moderate 

 though decided tooth. Frontal feathers rather soft, scarcely bristly 

 Eor erect. Nostrils overhung by membrane. Tarsus equal to or shorter 

 than middle toe and claw. Lateral toes nearly equ^l ; outer claw 

 reaching only to base of middle claw. 



Laniidae. Gonys about half length of lower jaw ; about equal to width 

 of mouth. Bill very powerful and raptorial, much compressed, with a 

 strongly marked hook, notch, and tooth at end. Frontal feathers very 

 bristly, and directed forwards, so as to conceal nostrils and base of bill. 

 Nostrils with bony walls, except behind. Tarsus longer than middle 

 toe and claw, sometimes much scutellate on sides. Lateral claws nearly 

 equal ; outer claw reaching a little beyond base of middle claw. 



Family YIRE0NIDJ3. 



The essential features of this family appear to consist in the com- 

 bination of the dentirostral bill, notched in both mandibles ; the ten 

 primaries (except Vireosylma), of which the outer is usually from 

 one-fourth to one-half the second ; the rather short, nearly even tail, 

 with narrow feathers, and the great amount of adhesion of the 

 anterior toes — the whole basal joint of the middle being generally 

 united on both sides to the adjacent joints, and decidedly shorter 

 than the basal of inner or two basal of outer. The outer lateral toe 

 is generally appreciably longer than the inner, reaching considerably 

 beyond the base of the middle claw. The tarsi are always distinctly 



