146 SCANSORES. 



Suborder IV. SCANSOBES. 



Fourth digit reversed ; front plantar leading to third digit only ; 

 spinal feather-tract well defined on the neck by lateral bare tracts, 

 and continuing single on the upper back, but divided into two 

 branches on the lower back. 



P1CU6 . 

 Deep plantar tendons of Pictt.< martins. 



The Scansorcs appear to be a natural group of birds consisting of 

 half a dozen families, and rather more than GOO species. Three of 

 these families — the Rhamphastida or Toucans, the Galbuliche or 

 Jacamars, and the Bncconidoe or Puff-birds — arc exclusively Neo- 

 tropical ; a fourth, the Cajntonidoi or Barbets, is not only Neotropical 

 but also Ethiopian and Oriental ; a fifth, the Indicatoridce or Iloney- 

 Guides, is Ethiopian and Oriental; whilst the sixth, the Pic'uUe or 

 Woodpeckers, is almost cosmopolitan. 



The Picidce is the only family belonging to the Scansores which is 

 represented in the Japanese Empire. 



The genera and subgenera of Japanese Woodpeckers may be 

 diagnosed in the following manner : — 



