of the United States. 39 



Inhabits the north of both continents, but far less frequent 

 in America ; seldom observed in Pennsylvania and New 

 Jersey, except in remarkably cold winters. (6.) 



ORDER IT. PASSERES. 



Passeres, Pica, Accipitres, L. Gm. Passeres, Pica, Columbce, 



Lath. 

 Scansores, Ambulatores, Rasores, III. 



Passereaux, Grimpeurs, Gallinaces, Cuv. Sylvicola, Vieill. 

 Omnivores, Insectivores, Granivores, Zygodactyly, Anisodac- 

 tyli, Alcyones, Chelidones, Columbia, Temm. 

 Passeri, Rampicanti, Galline, Ranz. Passeres, Scansores, 



Passerigalli, Latr. 



Bill generally short or of middling length, subconic. 

 Feet short or moderate ; tibiae fleshy, wholly feathered (Al- 

 cedo, Merops, Grallaria excepted) ; tarsi rounded ; toes four, 

 very rarely three, entirely cleft, (Caprimulgus, Musophaga, 

 Penelope excepted) disposed 2 — 2, 3 — 1, 2 — 1 ; hind toe 

 articulated with the tarsus on a level with the rest, bearing 

 on the ground its whole length ; nails usually slender, com- 

 pressed, somewhat retractile, incurved, acute. Neck short or 

 moderate : body slender, compressed. Tail mostly of twelve 

 feathers, rarely of eight, ten, or fourteen. 



Female generally smaller. 



Feed on insects, seeds, fruits and berries, some large spe- 

 cies also on eggs, small birds and fishes. Monogamous: 

 both sexes construct the nest, sit on the egg, and rear the 

 young ; the male feeds his mate while sitting : nests of 

 some species constructed with great art : eggs generally 

 about five, but vary from two to more than twelve. Young- 

 feed from the mouth of the parent, only leave the nest when 

 able to fly, and are afterwards fed until able to provide 

 for themselves. Many species possess great powers of voice, 

 and excel all other birds in singing. 



