28 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



only musical birds, form about one-third of our ornithological 

 fauna, and in Massachusetts are represented by eighteen fami- 

 lies. 



The Clamatores, or non-singing Passeres, are represented by 

 the flycatchers (§ 19). 



§ 1. The TurdidSB, or thrushes, now considered the high- 

 est group among birds, and ranlied accordingly, are 6^-12 

 inches long. Bill not conical (which term in ornithology ne- 

 cessitates rather straight outlines, and a depth approaching 

 the length) but at least twice as long as high ; with the upper 

 mandible usually hooked and slightly notched ; also bristled and 

 with open nostrils (pi. 1, fig. 2). Average length of the tarsus 

 about 1*15 inch ; middle toe nearly or quite equal ; other toes 

 considerably shorter, and approximately* equal. Primaries ten, 

 the first being more or less spurious. Tail never forked, but 

 often rounded, and of twelve feathers as in all our other oscine 

 birds. The Saxicolidce (§ 2) and Sylviidce (§ 3) differ but lit- 

 tle in structure or plumage : their coloration is, however, very 

 much brighter, and their tails (at least in the genera Sialia 

 and Regulus) are more or less forked,. Our bluebirds are, 

 moreover, seven inches long or less, and our " Sylvias" all 

 less than five. 



The typical groups of these three families (including the 

 subfamilies Turdince and Regidinae) are characterized by 

 hooted tarsi (pi. 1, fig. 1). The other subfamilies, Mimince 

 and PoliojJtilinai (the mocking-thrushes andgnatcatchers), have 

 scut ellate tarsi (pi. 1, fig. 3), and rather long, rounded tails. 

 I am inclined to think that the Harporhynchi (Gen. Ill) are 

 entitled to the rank of a subfamily. Their bills are unnotched, 

 unhooked, and frequently curved (pi. 1, fig. 4). Their eggs, 

 moreover, are markedly different from those of all other 

 thrushes. The common Blue Bird may be considered a repre- 

 sentative of the Saxicolidce, while the Sylviidoi are closel}* re- 

 lated to the titmice and warblers. The Wood Thrush and Cat- 

 bird are good types of their i-espective groups, though several 

 thrushes nest upon the ground, or have spotted eggs. 



