KEY TO THE ORDERS. 5 



(Two toes in front and two behind : . . . . Citctdi (Cuckoos) 

 Three toes in front and one behind, claw of middle toe pectinated, 

 nostrils tubular Caprimulgi (Goatsuckers) 



All four toes in front, or else tail with spines. 



Cypseli (Swifts) 



A. Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). B. Nightjar (Caprimulguseuropcms). C.Swift (Apus apus)- 



17 



18^ 



Middle pair of tail-feathers elongated : 

 Meropes (Bee-Eaters) 



Middle pair of tail-feathers not elon- 

 gated 18 



All toes unconnected : 

 Passer es {" perching 

 birds ") 



Some of the front 

 toes syndactylous, 

 i.e. tightly con- A 

 nected in a common 

 sheath . . .19 



Bee-Eater {Merops apiaster). 



Raven {Corvus corax) . 



19 



Bill long, straight, and pointed, about as long as tail : 



Haley ones (Kingfishers) 



Bill short and curved, less than one-third of the tail : 



Coracioe (Rollers) 



A. Roller {Coracias garrulus). B. Kingfisher {Alcedo ispida). 



