MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 41 



trils round, frequently exposed; feet short and 

 weak; claws moderate; tail often lengthened. 



16. FAMILY Chatterers (Ampelidse). Bill short, 



strong, broad and more or less depressed at 

 base, culmen more or less curved to tip where 

 upper mandible is bent down and notched ; 

 gape wide, generally without bristles ; tarsi 

 short and strong ; claws very strong ; tail 

 often very short. 



17. FAMILY. Butcher-Birds (Laniidse). Bill strong, 



culmen curved more or less, a deep notch 

 near tip of upper mandible, which is hooked, 

 generally a few bristles at base ; nostrils 

 round ; tarsi of moderate length and strong ; 

 claws acute. 



IV. SUB-ORDER. CONIKOSTRAL-BIRDS (Conirostres). 



Bill of various lengths, strong, conical, seldom 

 notched ; feet well developed, fitted for walk- 

 ing or perching, tarsi boldly scutellate ; wings 

 generally pointed. 



18. FAMILY. Crows (Corvidse). Bill strong, some- 



what compressed, generally straight, some- 

 times arcuated, or upper mandible gently 

 curved to tip, which is sometimes slightly in- 

 flexed ; nostrils frequently covered with stiff 

 feathers, directed forwards ; tarsi strong, co- 

 vered with thick scales ; wings generally long 

 and pointed. 



19. FAMILY. Corvine-Starlings (Chlamyderidse). 



Bill strong, not very lengthened, more or less 



