94 Synopsis of the Birds 



FAMILY XL TENUIROSTRES. 



Tenuirostres, Pygarrhici, Gregarii, 111. Tenuirostres, 



Conirostres, Cuv. Latr. Anerpontes, Epopsides, Vieill. 



Anerponti, Epopsipi, Ranz. Order Anisodactyli, Temm. 



Bill elongated, or moderate, subarched, subulate-filiform, 

 entire, acute, or cuneale at tip : tongue short, not extensible. 

 Feet moderate ; tarsus annulated, naked ; hind toe generally 

 longer and more robust than the others ; outer flattened, united 

 at base to the middle one : nails long, incurved. Wings 

 moderate, never acute. 



Solitary. Feed on insects, which the greatest part pick 

 out from holes and fissures of trees. Build generally in hol- 

 low trees, or cleft rocks, hardly constructing a nest. Some 

 climb on a vertical surface with admirable facility, by means 

 of their robust, acute nails. Incapable of being domesticated, 

 though quite familiar when at liberty, permitting a very near 

 approach. Voice unpleasant. 



Allied to the Sagittilingues by the genera Sitta, Dendro- 

 colaptes, and even Certhia ; and to the iEgithali by the genus 

 Sitta ; but, as a whole, connects admirably the Canori and the 

 Anthomyzi. 



27. CERTHIA. 



Certhia, L. Gm. Lath. Briss. 111. Cuv. Temm. Vieill. 

 Ranz. 



Bill shorter than the head, arched, entire, compressed- 

 trigonate, extremely slender, acute : nostrils basal, placed in 

 grooves, half closed by a small membrane: tongue cartilagi- 

 nous, acute and horny at tip. Feet slender ; tarsus longer 

 than the middle toe ; inner free and somewhat shorter than 

 the outer ; hind toe more robust and longer than the others : 

 nails slender, elongated, incurved, compressed, very acute; 

 that of the hind toe largest. Wings short ; spurious feather 

 short ; third and fourth primaries longest ; first shorter than 



