Order II. PASSERES. 



THIS Order consists of a numerous series of Birds, whose feet 

 are more or less constructed for perching. The toes are 

 generally placed three before and one behind, though some- 

 times the posterior one is capable of being brought forwards, 

 and sometimes the outer toe is carried backwards, which 

 occasions the toes to be placed two before and two behind. 



The First Tribe, FISSIROSTRES, or 

 Fissirostral Birds, 



have the bill very wide, and the gape extended beneath the 

 eyes ; with the culmen short, and curved to the tip. The 

 feet of these birds are weak, and of various conformations. 



The First Sub-Tribe, FISSIROSTRES NOCTUR- 

 NE, or Nocturnal Fissirostral Birds, 



are remarkable for the size of their eyes, which are very 

 large, and easily dazzled by the light of day. Their plumage 

 is generally soft, which enables them to fly without noise. 



The First Family, CAPRIMULGID^B, 

 or Goatsuckers, 



have the bill short, more or less depressed, very broad, and 

 the gape extending beneath each eye ; the tarsi very short, 

 and more or less exposed ; the toes long, and rather strong ; 

 the hind toe closely united to the base of the inner toe. 



The Sub-Family, CAPRIMULGINE, or Goat- 

 suckers, 



have the bill short and weak, with the gape, extending under 

 each eye, extremely broad, and furnished with more or less 

 lengthened bristles ; the wings long and usually pointed ; the 

 tail more or less lengthened and round, or graduated and 

 sometimes forked ; the tarsi more or less short, and almost 

 clothed throughout with short plumes, or entirely denuded 

 and scaled ; the toes moderate, with the lateral ones shorter 



