BIRDS OP NORTH AND MIDDLE AMERICA. 3 



Saurognathous (or segitho-schizognathous) zygodactyle Coracii- 

 form birds with the processus angularis mandibulse present, lateral 

 halves of the vomer separate, ectepicondyloid process of humerus 

 present, manubrial rostrum bifurcate, myological formula AX, and 

 tongue extensile. 



Basipterygoid processes absent; maxillo-palatines small, not 

 coalesced; vomer slender, pointed, split (the lateral halves separated); 

 manubrial rostrum of sternum bifurcate; no interclavicle; only one 

 carotid artery (the left); caeca absent or rudimentary; oil-gland 

 tufted; femoro-caudal and semitendinosus muscles present; ambiens 

 and accessory femoro-caudal muscles absent; spinal pteryla well- 

 defined on neck, forked on lower (not upper) back; sides of breast 

 with two distinct pterylse, united at shoulders; primaries 10, the 

 tenth (outermost) much reduced; rectrices 12, but outer pair greatly 

 reduced or rudimentary (concealed by coverts); adult downs absent; 

 young nidicolous and gymnopsedic. 



The Pici are a numerous but sharply circumscribed group of birds, 

 whose nearest relatives are undoubtedly the Capitones (Barbets), 

 They differ from all other birds in the structure of the tongue and 

 (though to a less extent) the bill, together with related parts, which 

 are highly speciali .ed for adaptation to their peculiar mode of obtain- 

 ing their food. The bill is a combined hammer and chisel, and serves 

 admirably for the puncturing and excavation of trees, both for the 

 purpose of reaching insects which are hidden in the wood and pre- 

 paring a cavity for nesting purposes. The tongue is a more or less 

 extensile barbed lance or spear, mth which they are able to explore 

 the burrow of a grub, transfix it, and draw it within the mouth; and 

 its fleshy portion is covered with a viscid secretion which entraps 

 insects with which it comes in contact. 



Their young are, as in the case of other Coraciiformes (except 

 Nycticoraciae and Striges) gymnopsedic, and though nidicolous, are 

 able to leave the nest and climb about the tree in which they were 

 reared for some time before they are capable of fhght. 



According to Mr. Brewster," "the young of most, if not all, of the 

 Woodpeckers regularly moult the wing and tail feathers with the rest 

 of the first plumage. No exceptions of this rule occur among large 

 series of the common North American species examined, and it may 

 probably be found to hold good among all excepting, perhaps, some 

 highly specialized groups. Another peculiar feature in the early 

 development of the species most thoroughly investigated, and one 

 which is perhaps common to all the members of this family, is the fact 

 that a certain portion of the females in first plumage possess to a 

 greater or less degree the adornments which in more advanced stages 



o Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, iii, 1878, 179, footnote. 



