PASSERINE. 135 



UPUPA, Linnceus. 



The Hoopoes have an ornament on the head formed of a double range of 

 long feathers, which they can erect at will. The subgenera are Promerops 

 and Epimachus. 



The second and smallest division of the Passerinse comprehends those in 

 which the external toe, which is nearly as long as the middle 

 one, is united to it as far as the penultimate articulation. 

 We make but one single group of them, the SYNDACTYL.S, 

 which has long been divided into six genera. The third genus, 

 ALCEDO, has been divided by separating from the Kingfishers the CEYX : birds 

 having the same kind of bill, but in which the external toe is deficient. 



MEROPS, Linnaeus. 



The Bee-eaters have an elongated beak, triangular at base, slightly arcuated 

 and terminating in a sharp point. There is a double emargination on each 

 side of the hind part of the sternum. Their long pointed wings, and short 

 feet render their flight similar to that of Swallows. They pursue insects in 

 great flocks, especially bees, wasps, &c. ; and it is remarkable that they are 

 never stung by them. 



PRIONTES, Illiger. 



The Hfotmots have their feet and carriage, but differ in the beak, which is 

 stronger, the edges of both mandibles being serrated; and in their tongue, 

 which, like that of the Toucans, is barbed. They are beautiful birds, as 

 large as the Magpie ; the plumage on the head loose as in the Jays, and a long 

 cuneiform tail; the stems of the two middle quills being stripped of their webs 

 for a short distance near the extremities, gives to the whole a singular appear- 

 ance. They fly badly, are solitary, build in holes, feed on insects, and even 

 on small birds. 



ALCEDO, Linnaeus. 



The Kingfishers have shorter feet than the Bee-eaters, and the beak much 

 longer, which is straight, angular, and pointed ; the tongue and tail are very 

 short. They feed on small fish, which they capture by precipitating them- 

 selves into the water from some branch where they have remained perched, 

 watching for their prey. They nestle like Bee-eaters in holes on the banks 

 of streams, and are found in both continents. 



TODUS, Linnceus. 



The Todies are small birds of America, resembling the Kingfishers in their 

 general form as well as in their feet and elongated beak, but the latter is 

 horizontally flattened, and obtuse at the point. The tarsus also is higher, and 

 the tail not so short. They feed on flies, and build on the ground. 



BUCEROS, Linnceus. 



The Hornhills are large birds of Africa and India, whose enormous dentated 

 beak is studded with excrescences which sometimes equal in size the beak 

 itself, and which are always of considerable extent above. This renders them 

 very remarkable, and allies them to the Toucans; while at the same time 



