SYNOPSIS OF ORDERS AND FAMILIES. 



ORDER XVI. GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, AND HUMMINGBIRDS. 

 ^~~--~^^ mi ^~ MACROCHIRES. 



(3 families, 27 species, 6 subspecies.) 



Bill, in the Goatsuckers and Swifts, small; mouth large; in the Hum- 

 mingbirds, bill long, slender, needle-like; wings and tail variable; feet, 

 in all three groups, small and weak. Color, in Goatsuckers, mixed 

 brown, buff and black; in Swifts, black and white; in Hummingbirds, 

 usually shining green above with resplendent throat-patches of varied 

 hues. 



WHIP-POOR -"WILL. 



Family 44. GOATSUCKERS, ETC. CAPRIMULGID/E. 



Feet usually small and weak; toes, three in front, one behind; middle toe-nail pectin- 

 ate or combed; bill small; mouth very large and usually beset by long bristles. 



CHIMNEY SWIFT. 



Family 45 SWIFTS. MlCROPODID/E. 



Bill small, triangular when seen from above; mouth large, no bristles; tail variable, 

 in Ctuetura with projecting spines; wings long and narrow; feet small and toes short; 

 plumage usually dark. 



RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. 



Family 46. HUMMINGBIRDS. TROCHILID/E. 



Bill long and slender; feet slender; wings large and pointed; tail exceedingly variable, 

 often assuming the most striking shapes. 



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