FASSERES. 



the tail is long and graduated, and the feathers are perfectly webbed on both 

 sides of the shaft. 



'im^.^ 



\ 



-^v ^ 



r/\i\>v 



'\\ 



Fig. si —The L\ re-Bird (_Me7ntra superba). 



Tribe III. 



DENTIROSTRES. 



The birds forming this division of the Passerine Order are dis- 

 tinguished by having a more or less distinct tooth or notch on 

 each side of the upper mandible near the tip, which is usually- 

 more or less hooked.* The bill is sometimes slender and weak, 

 sometimes stout and powerful ; in the latter case, the tooth-like 

 projections are generally strong, and the birds as predacious in 

 their habits as some of the smaller hawks. The feet are slender, 

 but usually armed with curved and acute claws. 



See "Animal Creation," page 320. 



