OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, <s;> 



ble of being turned either way. In two genera, the first, 

 and. in two others, the second toe. is lacking ; and. more- 



O 



over, the tarsal envelope is never placed posteriorly as in 

 the more highly developed Passeres. Another strange pe- 

 culiarity is that the claw of the posterior toe is smaller, or. 

 generally, not larger than that of the third toe. The wings, 

 which are of endless variation, possess ten developed prima- 

 ries ; the first being seldom spurious, or very much abbrevi- 

 ated. The greater wing-coverts are generally at least one- 

 half as long as the secondary quills which they cover, and 

 occasionally reach nearly to the extremities of these quills. 

 This is particularly noticeable among the least developed 

 birds, and distinguishes many of the Picaritc from Passcrcs : 

 but. in the Picidte. and some others, it is not exhibited. 

 The tail varies almost indefinitely in configuration, but the 

 number of feathers nevertheless affords a good clue to the 

 orders. Ordinarily, there are ten perfect rectrices, and, oc- 

 casionally, but eight; the woodpeckers possess twelve how- 

 ever, one pair being abortive ; while in the kingfishers and 

 some others, this is the invariable number. 



The slight sketch given above of the characters of this 

 order, will enable the student to identify any J^icarian bird 

 which may be found in this country. The Pica rice naturally 

 fall into three subdivisions, which Dr. Cones ranks as sub- 

 orders, without, however, insisting upon the question of tax- 

 onomic rank, but in conformity to his established usage : 

 these three groups are thus tabulated and characterized : 



i. CypscJi: embracing the three families Gypselidise^ 

 Caprimulgidtt, and Trochilida* They are birds of remark- 

 able powers of flight, the feathers of the wings beingquite 

 long and pointed, though the upper arm is verv much abbre- 

 viated. The feet are quite small and weak, and eminently 

 disqualified for serviceable progression. The posterior toe 

 among the swifts, is occasionally versatile, or somewhat ele- 

 vated in the goatsuckers, and a few swifts ; while the anteri- 

 or toes are often connected at their base with a movable 



