ORDER PASSERES. SJ 



The field larks would conduct us directly to the 

 larks ; but we are obliged first to speak of a small 

 family allied to this by the fly-catchers. It is 

 that of 



The Fissirostres, 



A family not numerous, but very distinct from all 

 others, by the short broad beak, flatted horizontally, 

 slightly crooked, without indention, and very deeply 

 cleft, so that the opening of their mouth is very 

 wide, and they easily swallow the insects which they 

 pursue upon the wing. 



They are most closely allied to the tribe of the 

 fly-catchers, especially to the procnias, whose bill 

 scarcely differs from theirs except in its indention. 



Their regimen, exclusively insectivorous, emi- 

 nently constitutes them migrating birds which quit 

 us in the winter. 



These birds are divided into diurnal and nocturnal, 

 like the birds of prey. 



The Swallows. Hirundo. Lin. 



Comprehend the diurnal species, all remarkable for 

 their close plumage, the extreme length of their 

 wings, and the rapidity of their flight. 

 Among them, we distinguish 



The Martens. Apus. Cuv. Cypsblus. 111. 

 Of all bii'ds, those which have the longest wings in 



