SUMMARY OF FAMILIES XVll 



c'. Nostrils either concealed by feathers, or if not then pointed 

 at the front and with a distinct membrane overhanging, 

 or the base of cutting edge of bill distinctly angled. 

 Family Fringillidje. Sparrows, Finches and Grosbeaks, 

 c". Nostrils not concealed by feathers, rounded at front, with- 

 out overhanging membrane ; base of cutting edge of 

 bill not angled. Family Tanagridae. Tanagers. 

 Primary wing feathers ten in number. 

 Tarsi plated or scutellate only at extreme base, 

 a'. Wing less than three inches long; young, not spotted. 



Family Sylviidae. Kinglets and Gnatcatchers. 

 a'. Wing more than three inches long ; young spotted. Family 

 Turdidae. Thrushes, Robin, Bluebird, etc. 

 * Tarsi divided into plates or distinctly scutellate. 

 a'. Tail feathers stiff and pointed. Family Certhiidae. Creepers, 

 a*. Tail feathers not stiff and pointed, 

 b'. Bill strongly hooked and hawk-like, notched. Family 



Laniidas. Shrikes, 

 b*. Bill either only slightly or not at all hooked. 



c'. Tarsus shorter than or at most equalling middle toe and 

 claw ; bill wider at base than length of gonys ; head 

 crested and tail yellow tipped. Family Ampelidie. 

 Waxwings. 

 c'. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw or bill narrower 

 at base than length of gonys. 

 d'. Bill slightly but noticeably hooked at tip. Family 



Vireonidse. Vireos. 

 d'^. Bill never hooked at tip. 

 e'. Nasal feathers never pointed forward, 

 f '. Second primary longest ; first primary very minute ; 

 bill elongate-conical. Family Sturnidae. Starlings, 

 f. Second primary not longest ; first primary longer 

 than tips of coverts ; bill linear, culmen generally 

 curved, bill sometimes curved. Family Troglody- 

 tidae. Thrashers, Mockingbirds, Catbirds and 

 Wrens, 

 e*. Nasal feathers always pointed forward, 

 f '. Wing more than four inches long ; nostrils con- 

 cealed by tufts of bristles. Family Corvidfe. 

 Crows and Jays, 

 f *. Wing less than four inches long, 

 g'. Bill slender, notched. Family Sylviidae. Kinglets 



and Gnatcatchers. 

 g''. Bill either long and slender or short and stout 

 but not notched : perceptibly conoid. Family 

 Paridae. Nuthatches, Titmice and Chickadees. 



