853 SIBCS Of XLUNOIS. 



Order MACEOCHIRES.— The Goatsuckees, Swifts, and Htim- 



mingbieds. 



Chaeactees. Wings much lengthened, with 10 primaries; tall-feathers. 10; gape very 

 wide and deeply elef t. or else, (i, e.. Sub-order Trochili), bill long and slender, the tongue 

 extensile, and secondaries only six in number. 



Following is an analysis of the Families which have usually been 

 ass gned to this Order. It may be remarked that the Trochilidce 

 possess very special characters which in the opinion of some system- 

 atists entitle them to rank as a distinct Order {Trochili). The 

 Trochilidce and Micropodidce being very much more nearly related 

 than either of these groups are to the Caprimulgidce, it is obvious 

 that the so-caUed "Order Macroehires" is a decidedly artificial 

 group. 



A. Secondaries more than 6; bill short, very broad at base, the gape deeply clett; plu- 



mage not metallic. 



a. Middle toe much longer than lateral toes, its claw with inner edge pectinated; 

 gape distinctly bristled; plumage much spotted and otherwise varied, the feath- 

 ers soft, with downy or moth-like surface. (Sub-order C'aprfmu'fft.). .Caprimulgidae, 



6. Middle toe not distinctly longer than lateral toes, its claws without peeiiiiated 

 edge; gape without bristles; plumage plain and compact. (Suborder /'ypxe/i.) 



Micropodidae. 



B, Secondaries only 6; bill long as head, or longer.slender, the gape not deeply cleft, 



plumage more or less metallic; size dimiuutive. (Suborder 2Voi;/ti7i.)..Iroclulid8E. 



