: APPENDIX 
CHARACTERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN REPRE- 
SENTATIVES OF THE FAMILIES MENTIONED 
IN THIS BOOK 
Nore. — These characters, though correct, are untechnically given, and 
are such as may be observed on the “ bird in the bush,” while the added hints 
on habits, etc., will be found helpful in identification. 
1. Turdide: THRUSHES. 
Medium size; bill shorter than head, straight or nearly 
so; bristles (hair-like feathers) at corner of mouth; wings 
rather pointed, and longer than tail; tail-feathers wider 
towards the end, the whole somewhat fan-shaped. Young 
in first feathers speckled and streaked, very different from 
the adults. Sexes nearly alike (except robin, varied 
thrush, and bluebird). (Ridgway.) 
Food : insects, earthworms, and sometimes fruit. 
These birds are all singers and build rude nests. Found 
usually on the lower part of trees in the woods (except 
robin and bluebird) or on the ground, where they get 
most of their food. 
2. Sylviidee: KinGiets and GNATCATCHERS. 
This family is divided into two subfamilies. 
KineLets: Very small; bill slender, much shorter than 
head, straight to near tip, then slightly curved ; bristles at 
corner of mouth; wings longer than tail; tail slightly 
forked, feathers pointed ; legs long; claws much curved. 
Young without markings on head. (Ridgway.) 
Food : insects. 
