872 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



"Of these subfamilies the Picinm alone occur north to Mexico. 

 The Jyngiiue, to which the well-knowTQ Wrj'neck of England {Jynx 

 torquilla) belongs, are exclusively Old World; the Pic umnince belong 

 principally to the tropical regions of America, although a few species 

 occur in Africa and India." {Hist. N. Am. B.) 



The North American Picince may for convenience of identification 

 be divided into the following groups : — 



Dryobateee. Bill variable in length ; the outlines above and below nearly 

 straight; the ends truncated; a prominent ridge on the side of the mandible 

 springing from the middle of the base, or a little below, and running out 

 either on the commissure, or extending parallel to and a little above it, to 

 the end, sometimes obliterated or confluent with the lateral bevel of the 

 bill. Nostrils considerably overhung by the lateral ridge, more or less 

 linear, and concealed by thiclc bushy tufts of feathers at the base of the bill. 

 Outer posterior toe generally longer than the anterior. 



Melanerpese, Bill rather long ; the outlines, that of the oulmen especially, 

 decidedly curved. The lateral ridge much nearest the culmen, and, though 

 quite distinct at the base, disappearing before coming to the lower edge of 

 the mandible; not overhanging the nostrils, which are broadly oval, 

 rounded anteriorly, and not concealed by the bristly feathers at the base. 

 Outer pair of toes nearly equal ; the anterior rather longer. 



Colaptew. Bill rather long, much depressed, and the upper outUne much 

 curved to the acutely pointed (not truncate) tip. The commissure con- 

 siderably curved. Bill without any ridges. The nostrils broadly oval and 

 much exposed. Anterior outer toe longest. 



The preceding diagnoses wiU serve to distinguish the three groups 

 sufficiently for our present purposes ; the bill being strongest in the 

 Dryohatece and best fitted for cutting into trees by its more perfect 

 wedge-shape, with strengthening ridges, as well as by the lateral 

 beveling of both mandibles, which are nearly equal in thickness at 

 the base, and with their outhnes nearly straight. The lateral ridge 

 is prominent, extending to the edge or end of the bill, and over- 

 hangs the nostrils, which are narrow and hidden. The Melanerpea and 

 the Colaptece have the upper mandible more curved (the commissure 

 likewise), the lower mandible smaller and weaker, the bill with 

 httle or no lateral beveling. The nostrils are broadly oval and 

 exposed. In the former, however, there is a distinct lateral ridge 

 visible for a short distance from the base of the bill; while in the 

 other there is no ridge at all, and the mandible is greatly curved. 



In aU the species of North American Woodpeckers, there is more 

 or less red on the head in the male, and frequently in the female. 



