90 



FASSERES. 



This family, which is rather numerous, embraces the Oven-Birds, 

 the Sharp-Tails, the Tree-Creepers, the Creepers, the Nuthatches, 

 the Mohouas, and the Wrens. 



Sub-Family I. 

 THE OVEN-BIRDS. FURNARIN^. 



■ General Characteristics. — Toes rather long, the lateral ones unequal, the outer 

 ones rather the longest, and slightly united at its base, the inner toe free at its base. 



These small birds are found in the warmer parts of South 

 America, especially in bushes, on the banks of the rivers, or near 



Fig. 45. — The Black-tailed Enicornis {Enicomis meluiuira). 



the dwellings of man, or even in open places. They are always 

 seen in pairs, are very active, and capable of running and walking 

 with great rapidity. Their flight is only from bush to bush, which 

 they minutely examine for insects, chiefly those of the coleop- 

 terous kind, although they occasionally feed on seeds. 



The male utters a series of loud shrill notes of a very peculiar 



