386 



GENERAL ZOOLOGY 



of the habits of the family, and have descended to picking 



up part of their food on the ground of fields and pastures. 



Perching or Singing Birds. The passerine type (Lat. passer, 



sparrow) is exemplified in more than half the birds of the 



FIG. 204. Photograph of Yellow-Bellied Woodpeckers 

 (American Museum of Natural History) 



world. The characteristics which serve to distinguish the 

 Pas' seres, or perching birds, from other groups are the pres- 

 ence of four toes without webs, placed at the same level, 

 three in front and one behind. The perchers are birds of 



