42 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



compressed, culmen curved to tip, commissure 

 curved, upper mandible inflexed and emargi- 

 nated at tip ; nostrils generally round, ex- 

 posed, or partly covered by frontal plumes ; 

 wings moderate and pointed ; tail often 

 lengthened ; tarsi rather long, strong ; toes 

 and claws strong, especially the hind claw. 



20. FAMILY. Starlings (Sturnidse). Bill in form of 



a compressed cone, ctilmen more or less ad- 

 vancing on forehead, straight or very slightly 

 inflexed near tip, commissure greatly angu- 

 lated at base, upper mandible rarely emargi- 

 nate ; frontal feathers advancing to posterior 

 part of nostril-openings ; wings moderate and 

 pointed ; tail often short. 



21. FAMILY. Finches (Fringillidse). Bill short, 



thick, conical, broad, and often angular at 

 base, more or less pointed at tip, where upper 

 mandible is sometimes slightly inflexed, com- 

 missure angulated at base, or sinuated ; tarsi 

 of about equal length to middle toe, hind 

 claw more or less lengthened. 



22. FAMILY. Colies (Coliidse). Bill short, broad at 



base, culmen elevated and arched ; nostrils 

 naked, placed in a large membranous groove ; 

 wings short, pointed; tail long, cuneated. 

 Possess the power of turning all the toes for- 

 wards. 



23. FAMILY. Plantain-Eaters (Musophagidse). Bill 



rather large, broad at base, compressed, cul- 

 men high, curved to tip, sometimes advancing 



