370 INSESSORES PICID^E. 



as to render them fit instruments for climbing. Such are the 

 members of the family Certhiada, answering to TEMM INCH'S 

 order Anisodactyll. The five primary divisions or families 

 that compose the circle of the tribe, are, the Psittacida and 

 Picida (being the typical groups), the Certhiada, Cuculida^ 

 and Ramphustida (the Aberrant).* We possess examples 

 in Britain of only three of these families, viz. Picidae, Cer- 

 thiadae, and Cuculidae. 



FAMILY II. PICIDAE, FIG. 



THE Picidae, one of the typical families of the Scansores, 

 contains, besides the true Woodpeckers, other genera nearly 

 allied to them in habits, and which, from the variation in 

 structure of the bill, support the necessary connection with 

 the other families of the tribe. Such is the genus Pogonias 

 (ILLTG.), which, from the deep and curved form of the bill, 

 seems to lead back to the Psittacida ; and nearly allied to it, 

 follows that of Bucco (LiNN.), where the bill makes a nearer 

 approach to that of the true Woodpeckers. The Wrynecks 

 (genus Yunx, LINN.) are also properly included in this fa- 

 mily, as well as that group of which the genus Oxyrynclios 

 (TEMM.) is the type. The farther division of it has been 

 noticed by Mr SWAINSON, who points out four of its sub- 

 families, named by him Piciana, Bucconina, Yunxina, and 

 Oxyrynclima ; the type of the fifth is yet unknown. I have, 

 however, from the deficiency of species rendering it impos- 

 sible to institute the minute examination and analysis neces- 

 sary, described our three Woodpeckers under the title Picus, 

 merely adverting to the genera under which they ought to 

 be arranged, according to their affinities, as given by Mr 

 SWATNSON. 



* To comprehend the affinities which unite the various groups of this 

 tribe with each other, and their connexion with the contiguous orders and 

 families, I refer my readers to the writings of Mr VIGORS and Mr 

 SWAINSON. 



