322 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. 
Basal phalanx of anterior toes abbreviated; that of median toe decidedly 
shorter than the basal of inner, or the two basal of outer, and adherent 
for its whole length on both sides to the lateral (7. e., not free at all). 
Lateral plates of tarsus undivided, except at extreme lower end. 
Vireonide. Gonys more than half the length of lower jaw (from tip to 
angle of mouth), usually longer than width of mouth, which is narrow. 
Bill conical, much compressed, decuryed at end and notched, but 
scarcely toothed. Frontal feathers bristly and erect, or bent but slightly 
forward. Nostrils overhung by membrane. Tarsus longer than middle 
toe and claw. Lateral toes generally unequal; outer claw reaching 
half way along middle claw. 
Basal phalanx of middle toe about as long as the basal of inner, or the two 
basal of outer; free externally, at least for about one-third its length, 
internally for about one-half. Lateral plates of tarsus with decided 
tendency to subdivision (except in Myiadestinz). 
Ampelidz. Gonys decidedly less than half the length of lower jaw, or 
than width of mouth, which is very broad and deeply cleft. Bill tri- 
angular, much depressed, decurved at end and notched, with moderate 
though decided tooth. Frontal feathers rather soft, scarcely bristly 
rorerect. Nostrils overhung by membrane. Tarsus equal to or shorter 
than middle toe and claw. Lateral toes nearly equal; outer claw 
reaching only to base of middle claw. 
Laniide. Gonys about half length of lower jaw; about equal to width 
‘of mouth. Bill very powerful and ‘raptorial, much compressed, with a 
strongly marked hook, notch, and tooth at end. Frontal feathers very 
bristly, and directed forwards, so as to conceal nostrils and base of bill. 
Nostrils with bony walls, except behind. Tarsus longer than middle 
toe and claw, sometimes much scutellate on sides. Lateral claws nearly 
equal; outer claw reaching a little beyond base-of middle claw. 
Famity VIREONID A. 
The essential features of this family appear to consist in the com- 
‘ bination of the dentirostral bill, notched in both mandibles; the ten 
primaries (except Vireosylvia), of which the outer is usually from 
one-fourth to one-half the second; the rather short, nearly even tail, 
with narrow feathers, and the great amount of adhesion of the 
anterior toes—the whole basal joint of the middle being generally 
united on both sides to the adjacent joints, and decidedly shorter 
than the basal of inner or two basal of outer, The outer lateral toe 
is generally appreciably longer than the inner, reaching considerably 
beyond the base of the middle claw. The tarsi are always distinctly 
