38 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



base, varying in length, curved to the tip, 

 where the upper mandible is more or less 

 bent over the lower, margins sometimes ser- 

 rated, sometimes notched near tip ; tarsi 

 usually short ; toes three before, one behind ; 

 wings generally lengthened and pointed 



6. FAMILY. Kingfishers (Alcedinidse). Bill broad 



at base, lengthened, generally straight, tip 

 acute where upper mandible is sometimes 

 bent over, culmen often keeled ; tarsi short, 

 robust, occasionally partly clothed with fea- 

 thers ; toes 3], 22, or 21. 



7. FAMILY. Bee-Eaters (Meropidse). Bill assuming 



the tenuirostral character, long, curved, acute, 

 compressed, culmen carinated ; wings some- 

 times long and pointed; tarsi short; toes ra- 

 ther long, lateral ones more or less united to 

 middle toes ; claws curved ; tail long, with 

 sometimes the two middle feathers prolonged. 



II. SUB-ORDER. TENUIROSTRAL BIRDS (Tenuirostres). 



Bill varied in form and length, often arched and 

 compressed, always slender and acute ; tongue often 

 extensible and ending in a brush of filaments ; tarsi 

 usually short ; hind toe strong, and armed with a 

 strong claw. 



8. FAMILY. Hoopoes (Upupidse). Bill long, slen- 

 der, more or less arched, much compressed ; 

 tarsi strong ; claws strong and curved ; outer 

 toe partly united to the middle one ; wings 

 somewhat rounded. 



