CHAPTER IX. 



Order PicariSO. Picarian Kinh. 



The above polymorphic group consists of birds of highly 

 diversified types, which are grouped together more on ac- 

 count of their difference from other birds, than on any re- 

 semblance to each other. In its common acceptation, this 

 order embraces all non-passerine Inscssores down to those 

 which possess a cered bill. Exclusive of the parrots, the 

 Picarue correspond to the Strisores and Scansores, and em- 

 brace some that are frequently referred to the Clamatores. 

 This order Zygodactyli, which contains all species that have 

 the toes arranged in pairs, two in front and two behind, be- 

 sides a few that are not thus characterized, is thoroughly un- 

 natural, and is pronounced by Dr. Cones to be one of the 

 <' most unmitigated afflictions that ornithology has suffered." 



The Picarice are at present not susceptible of satisfactory 

 definition ; but a few leading particulars of a negative char- 

 acter which they have in common, may be briefly indicated. 

 The sternum, which seldom conforms to the true Passerine 

 model, if it ever does, has eitheran entire, or a doubly notch- 

 ed posterior margin. The vocal apparatus does not attain a 

 high development, consequently, these birds are never very 

 musical ; it never has more than three pairs of internal mus- 

 cles. There are some modifications of the skull-bones, and 

 likewise, a peculiar specialization of the flexor muscles of 

 the toes, according to Sunderall, which are not observed in 

 the Passeres. The feet are variously modified : one or 

 ther of the toes, excepting the middle toe, being suscep- 

 tible of being turned in a direction directly opposite to the 

 customary direction. The fourth toe. in some cases, is capa- 



