488 



PASSEEINES. 



known. They are remarkably massive in form, heavy and slow 

 on the wing. They are placed by systematists near the Toucans 

 (Ramphastos), from similarity of habits, and especially from the 

 structure of the tongue, which is in both long, and so much 

 ciliated at the sides as to resemble a feather. The feet, however, 

 are totally different from those of the Toucans. In the Momots 

 the beak is long, robust, and crenated at the edge. They are 

 very wild, and lead an isolated life in the thick forests of South 

 America, where they build in holes in trees. 



Fig. 203. Momot (Prionites, Sw.). 



TENUIROSTRES. 



The Passerine Tenuirostres are characterised by a long slender 

 beak, straight or curved, but always without indentation. They 

 are insectivorous, and comprise the Hoopoes, Humming-birds, 

 Creepers, and Nuthatches. 



The HOOPOES (Upupa, Linn.) have the beak long, slender, tri- 

 angular, and slightly curved. This group, which Mr. Gray 

 designates the Upupidce, includes a number of birds whose general 

 form presents the greatest analogy, but which possess their own 

 peculiarities of plumage and special physiognomy. This has 

 necessitated its subdivision into sub- genera, of which the Hoopoes 

 (Upupa), the Promerops (Brisson), and the Epimachus are worthy 

 of notice. 



