2 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



A. Nostrils oval. Loral and frontal feathers with bristly points, or interspersed with 

 bristles ; rictus with longer or shorter bristles. 



Saxicolid^. Wings very long and much pointed, reaching beyond the middle 

 of the short square or emarginated tail, and one and a half times or more the 

 length of the latter. The spurious primary very short, the second quill longer 

 .than the fourth. In the closed wing the outer secondary reaches only about two 

 thirds the length of longest primary. 



Turdidae. Wings moderate, more rounded, not reaching beyond middle of the 

 often rounded tail, and not more than one and a third the latter, usually more 

 nearly equal. Spurious primary sometimes half the length of second quffl ; the 

 second quill shorter than the fourth. In the closed wing the outer secondary 

 reaches three fourths or more the length of longest primary. 



B. Nostrils linear, in lower edge of nasal membrane. Loral and frontal feathers soft 

 and downy, and no bristles or bristly points whatever about the mouth. 



Cinclidee. Body very short and broad. Wings short, rounded, and concave. 



The American Sylviidce are in some respects very closely related to the 

 Saxicoliclce, but may be distmguished by their much smaller size, more 

 slender and depressed bill, more strongly bristled rictus, etc. ; on whicli 

 account they are more strictly "fly-catchers," taking their prey in great 

 part on the wing. 



Of the three families, the TuTclidm contain a great variety of forms, 

 and exhibit widely different characters, rendering it exceedingly difficult- 

 to arrange them in any systematic or regular sequence, or to accurately 

 define their boundaries. In the Birds of North America, the Mocking 

 Thrushes were placed among the Wrens, on account of the distinct tarsal 

 scutellse, and other characters. We are now, however, inclined to believe, 

 with Dr. Sclater, that their place is with the recognized Turdidm ; and, 

 among other reasons, on the ground of their more deeply cleft toes, and 

 greater extension forward of frontal feathers. The following synopsis of 

 the North American forms will serve tlie purpose of determining the genera, 

 even if these are not arranged or combined in a strictly natural manner. 



A. Turdinse. — Tarsus covered anteriorly with a continuous plate without 

 scales. 



Wings decidedly longer than the tail, which is nearly even. Bill con- 

 siderably shorter than the head. 



First quill usually not one fourth the second. Wings pointed. Tarsus 

 hardly the length of head, but yet longer than middle toe ; outstretched 

 toes falling short of tip of tail Tardus. 



B. Mimiuse. — Tarsi scutellate anteriorly ; scales seven. 



Wings decidedly longer than the tail, which is nearly even. Tarsus as 



long as the head. 



Bill decidedly shorter than the head, scarcely notched ; wings pointed ; 

 first quill less than half the second , third and fourth longest. Claws 

 not peculiar. Bristles prominent. Tarsus considerably longer than 

 middle toe and claw ......... Oreoscoptes. 



