KEY TO THE ORDERS. 5 



(Two toes in front and two behind : . . . . CucuLi (Cuckoos) 

 Three toes in front and one behind, claw of middle toe pectinated, 

 nostrils tubular Caprimulgi (Goatsuckers) 

 All four toes in front, or else tail with spines. . Cypseli (Swifts) 



A. Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). B. Nightjar (Caprimulguseuropceus). C.Swift (Apus apus)- 



Middle pair of tail-feathers elongated : 

 Meropes (Bee-Eaters) 



Middle pair of tail-feathers not elon 



gated 



18 



All toes unconnected : 

 Passer es (" perching 

 birds ") 



Some of the front 

 toes syndactylous, 

 i.e. tightly con- 

 nected in a common 

 sheath . . .19 



Raven (Corvus corax) . 



{Bill long, straight, and pointed, about as long as tail : 

 Haley ones (Kingfishers) 

 Bill short and curved, less than one-third of the tail : 

 Coraeice (Rollers) 



A. Roller (Coracias garrulus). B. Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida). 



