126 SINGING BIRDS — OSCINES. 



Family MITELIBM, The Chatterers. 



Chak. Basal joint of middle toe aljout equal to tliat of inner toe ; not 

 united to that of lateral toes, for more than half the length. Lateral plates 

 of tarsi, with tendency to subdivision. Lateral toes nearly equal. Lower 

 edge of lower jaw less than half total length of jaw. Bill short, broad at 

 base, and much depressed ; feathers of forehead soft. Nostrils overhung by 

 membrane. Tarsus equal to or less than middle toe and claw. 



Sub-Fajiily AMPELIN^. 



Char. Nostrils elongated, linear ; the frontal feathers extending close 

 to and concealing them. Wings very long and acute ; outer primary veiy 

 minute and inappreciable. Wings nearly twice the length of the short, 

 nearly even tail. Secondary quills with fiat horny appendages at the end 

 of the shafts, like red sealing-wax. 



Genus AMPELIS, Linx.ecs. 



Ampelis, LiNMiEUS, Syst. Nat. IT.'JS. (Tyjje, A. rjitmdus.) 



Bombi/dila, Vieillot, Ois. Am. Sept. I. 1807, 88. (Type, B. cedronm.) 



Gen. Ch.\u. Head with a broad (Impressed ci-cst. Bill very broad, opening nearly to 

 the eye; a series of sbort velvety feathers at the base of the bill, with bristles du-eeted 



A. garrula. 



