198 APPENDIX 
Very small, active, musical birds, usually found flitting 
about in trees. 
GNATCATCHERS: Very small and slim; bill slender and 
short, nearly as long as head, notched at tip; bristles at 
corner of mouth; wings shorter than tail and rounded ; 
tail long and moderately graduated, feathers rounded ; 
legs rather long ; toes small. (Ridgway.) 
Active, beautiful nest builders, found in the tops of 
trees. Insectivorous. 
3. Paride : NurHatcHEs, TITMICcE, ete. 
This family is divided into three subfamilies. 
NvutHATCHES: Smaller than English sparrow; bill 
sharp, pointed, higher than wide, about as long as head ; 
bristles over nostrils; wings pointed; tail very short, 
nearly even, feathers soft; legs stout. (Ridgway.) 
Parents nearly alike ; food, insects. 
Found on the trunks and large limbs of trees. 
TitmicE: Usually smaller than English sparrow ; 
bill stout, conical, shorter than head; nasal feathers 
turned forward; tail longer than wing. (Ridgway.) 
Food: insects. Parents alike, and young the same. 
No noticeable change of plumage with season. 
Wren-Tirs and Busu-Tits : Very small; bill short and 
conical; tail rounded. Sexes alike. 
4. Certhiide: CREEPERS. 
Smaller than English sparrow ; bill slender and curved 
downward ; wings rather pointed, long as tail; tail gradu- 
ated, stiff, with long, sharp-pointed feathers; claws long 
and strongly curved. (Ridgway.) 
Food: insects. Sexes alike, and young the same. 
Found circling tree trunks. 
