KEY TO FAMILIES 



127 



A. Middle and outer toes joined for half their length (Fig. 52). . . 



Family Alcedinidce: KINGFISHERS, p. 320. 



B. Two toes in front and two behind (Fig. 53). . . . Family Cucul* 



ida: CUCKOOS, p. 318. 



FIG. 54. 



Order XV. Pici. WOODPECKERS. 



Climbing birds with stout, pointed bills, bristly nostrils, pointed, 

 stiffened tail-feathers; strong feet and nails; toes four, two in front, 

 two behind, or three, two in front, one behind (Fig. 54). Prevailing 

 colors black and white, the male usually with red on the head. 



Characters those of the Order. . . . Family Picidce: WOODPECKERS, 

 p. 322. 



FIG. 56. 



FIQ. 55. 



Order XVI. Machrochires. GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, and HUMMINGBIRDS. 

 An obsolete group to which, for the present, the A. O. U. continues 

 to refer our American Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Hummingbirds with 

 more obvious external characters as below. 



A. Size comparatively large, plumage soft, variegated black, brown, 



and buff; middle-toe with a comblike edge (Fig. 55). . . . 

 Family Caprimulgida: NIGHTHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, etc.. 

 p. 331. 



B. Size medium, plumage close, firm, sooty black; tips of tail- 



feathers with spines (Fig. 56). . . . Family Micropodidce: 

 SWIFTS, p. 334. 



C. Size very small, upperparts shining green; bill long and slender 



(Fig. 57). . . . Family Trochilida: HUMMINGBIRDS, p. 335. 



