Families of Birds 155 



bluish, or greenish, with spots and blotches of brown. 

 North and South America. 



FAM. XII. Carebida. (American Creepers.) Nest, domed, of 

 hair and spiders'-webs, between twigs. Eggs white or 

 greenish-blue, with red or brown spots. South America. 



FAM. XIII. Fringillidce. (Finches.) Nest of varying form, of 

 twigs, lined with feathers and often decorated with moss 

 and lichens, in every kind of situation. Eggs various, 

 generally bluish or white, with black or purplish spots 

 and lines. Cosmopolitan. 



FAM. XIV. Alaudida. (Larks.) Nest on the ground. Eggs 

 dark brown or white, mottled with brown. Cosmopolitan. 



FAM. XV. Motacillida (Wagtails and Pipits.) Nest on the 

 ground, or in a bank or wall. Eggs white or grey, with 

 more or less pronounced spots of brown, or purplish- 

 brown, with darker markings. Cosmopolitan. 



FAM. XVI. Mniotiltida. (American Warblers.) Nest, cup- 

 shaped, of moss, hair, spider-webs, etc. Eggs cream- 

 coloured, with reddish-brown and grey spots, or lined with 

 black. North or South America. 



FAM. XVII. Certhiida. (Creepers.) Nest of twigs with grass 

 and moss, wool, etc., in holes, behind crevices of bark, etc. 

 Eggs white, with reddish, rarely blackish, spots. Nearly 

 Cosmopolitan (except South America). 



FAM. XVIII. Meliphagitta. (Honey-suckers.) Nest of twigs 

 or roots, in grass or in bushes or trees. Eggs buff or 

 salmon-coloured, with spots and lines of reddish-brown. 

 Australian Region. 



FAM. XIX. Nectariniida. (Sun-birds.) Nest, purse-like, of 

 grass and rootlets, with a projecting dome over the entrance. 

 Eggs greenish or greyish, with purplish or reddish spots, 

 or white with blackish streaks or spots. African, Indian and 

 Australian Regions. 



FAM. XX. Drepanida. (Hawaian Honey-suckers.) Nest of 

 roots and leaves. Eggs not yet described. Hawaian 

 Archipelago. 



FAM. XXI. Dicceida. (Flower-peckers.) Nest, purse-like and 



