82 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. 



ORDER IL — SCANSORES. Climbers. 



The characteristics of this order are given on page 4 of this 

 volume. It is represented in the New-England States by two 

 families, — the Cuculidce or Cuckoos, and the Picidce or Wood- 

 peckers. 



These families have the arrangement of two pairs of toes 

 opposed to each other in common ; otherwise, they are much dif- 

 ferent in their characteristics. 



The Cuculidce have " bill thin, usually slender, and rather long, 

 the tip more or less decurved, the base usually without rictal 

 bristles ; tarsi usually rather long, clothed with broad plates ante- 

 riorly ; the tail feathers usually ten, sometimes eight or twelve, 

 all long." 



The Picidce have " bill straight, rigid, and chisel-shaped at the 

 tip, the base without rictal bristles ; the feet are stout, and clothed 

 anteriorly with broad plates ; tail feathers twelve, the exterior very 

 small and concealed." ^ 



1 See Introduction. 



