84 TENUIROSTRES. 



TRIBE II. 



Tenuirostkes. 



In this division of the Passerine, or Perching 

 Birds, the bill is of varied length and shape, but 

 always slender, with the tip of the upper mandible 

 entire, and usually acute. The tarsi are short ; the 

 toes generally long, especially the hind toe, which 

 is strong, and armed with a prominent claw. 



FAMILY I. 



IJpupiD^. The Hoopoes. 



'Gen. Chabac. — Bill lenj^thened, slender, curved or straight for its entire 

 length ; the sides compressed to the tip, which is acute ; the nostrils basal 

 and rather small; the wings long and rounded; the tail more or less 

 long and rounded or even ; the tarsi strong and usually short ; the toes long 

 and strong ; the outer toe more or less united at its base, the hind toe long ; 

 the claws strong, long, and curved. 



These birds are peculiar to the Eastern' hemi- 

 sphere. They are found in Europe, Asia, and 

 Africa, and are migratory at certain seasons. They 

 prefer low and damp situations that border woods 

 and forests ; in such places they may be met with 

 searching on the ground for insects and worms. 

 They also seek for caterpillars on the trunks of 

 trees, or more frequently among the foliage ; and 

 while in search of these devastators may frequently 

 be seen hanging from a branch by their feet as they 

 reach them from the leaves. The nest is generally 

 placed in a hole of some decayed tree, or occasion- 

 ally in a crevice of a wall or rock ; it is constructed 

 of dry grass, and is usually lined internally with 

 feathers and other soft and warm materials. The 

 female deposits four or five eggs, ©r more. 



This family includes the Hoopoes and Plume- 

 birds. 



