INTRODUCTION. Xlll 



which is almost straight ; the edges of both somewhat inflected and not 

 notched. Nostrils basal, oval, pointed in front, and partly covered by re- 

 flexed bristly feathers. Wings with ten quills, the first almost obsolete, the 

 third longest, but the fourth and fifth nearly equal to it. Tail very long and 

 graduated. Tarsus long and scutellated in front ; claws not much hooked 

 (P- 99)- 



Family PARID.E. 



ACP.EDULA, K. L. Koch. — Bill very short, strong, much compressed, both man- 

 dibles curved, the upper considerably longer than the lower. Nostrils basal, 

 round, concealed by the plumage. Eyelids with broad bare margins. Wings 

 with ten quills, gradually increasing in length from the iirst to the fourth and 

 fifth, which are the longest. Tail very long, narrow and graduated, the 

 outer feathers being only about one-third of the length of the middle pair. 

 Tarsus long and scutellated ; toes moderate ; the anterior toes united so far 

 as the second joint, the outer toe longer than the inner, the hind toe stout and 

 armed with a long hooked claw (p. loi). 



Farits, Liuiuius. — Bill strong, straight, rather conical, slightly compressed, upper 

 mandible hardly longer than the lower and not notched. Nostrils basal, 

 round, covered with reflexed bristly feathers. Wings with ten quills, the 

 first short, the fourth or fifth the longes'. Tail moderate, even or slightly 

 rounded. Tarsus moderate and scutellated ; toes as in preceding genus 

 (p. 103). 



Family SITTID/E. 



SiTTA, Linnatts. — Bill moderate, strong, and slightly conical, the lower mandible 

 ascending from the angle to the point. Tongue short and horny, the tip 

 abrupt and furnished with strong bristles. Nostrils basal, rounded, placed 

 in a deep hollow, covered by hairs and short feathers. ^Vings rather long ; 

 the first quill much^horter than the second, the fourth or- fifth the longest. 

 Tail short, flexible, broad, and nearly square. Legs short and stout, the 

 tarsus scutellated ; toes long and strong — the hind toe especially, the outer toe 

 joined at its base to the middle toe ; claws large and much hooked (p. II3). 



Family TROCLODVTID.E. 



Troglodytes, Vieillot. — Bill moderate, compressed, slightly curved, without 

 any notch, and pointed. Nostrils basal, oval, partly covered by a membrane. 

 Wings very short, concave, rounded ; the first quill rather short, the fourth 

 or fifth the longest. Tail generally short ; its feathers soft and rounded. 

 Tarsus rather long and strong ; the middle toe united at the base to the 

 outer toe, but not to the inner toe ; hind toe rather long ; claws long, stout 

 and curved. Plumage long and soft (p. 115). 



Family CFRTHIID.E. 



Certhia, Linn(cus.—Wi\ rather long, slender, compressed, curved downwards 

 and pointed ; nostrils basal, lateral, elongated and partly covered by a mem- 

 brane. Wings moderate and rounded ; the first feather short, the fourth and 

 fifth the longest. Tail of twelve feathers, long, stiff, pointed, and slightly 

 curved downwards. Feet large, the tarsus slender ; the fore toes long and 



