50 



KEY TO FAMILIES. 



A. Middle anfl outer toes joined for half their length. . . . Family Al- 

 cedinidoB'. Kingfishers (Fig. 35), p. 226. 



B. Two toes in front and two behind. . . . Family Cuculidm : Cuckoos 

 (Fig. 36), p. 224. 



Fig. 37. 



Order XV. Pici. — Woodpeckers. 



Toes four, two in front and two behind, or toes three, two in front and 

 one behind ; bill strong ; tail-feathers stiff and pointed ; nostrils more or 

 less concealed by bristles. . . . Family Plcidce.: Woodpeckers (Fig. 37); 

 p. 227. 



Fig. 39 



Fig. 38.. 



Fig. 40. 



Order XVI. Macrochires. — Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Hummingbirds. 



Feet very small and weak ; bill short and small and mouth large, or bill 

 long and exceedingly slender and mouth small ; wings generally long and 

 pointed. 



A. Size comparatively large; plumage variegated, black and brown; 

 middle toe-nail with a comblike edge. . . . Family Caprmiulgid(B : 

 NiGHTHAWKS, WhIP-POOR- WILLS, ctc. (Fig. 38), p. 236. 



B. Size medium; plumage sooty black; no comb on the middle toe- 

 nail ; tips of the tail-feathers with spines. . . . Family Micropodida : 

 Swifts (Fig. 39), p. 239. 



C. Size very small; upper pai'ts shining green; bill long and slender. 

 . . . Family Trochilidoe: Hummingbirds (Fig. 40), p. 240. 



