BRITISH BIRDS, 



With their Nests and Eggs. 



ORDER PtCARI/E 



To the birds of this group I have paid less attention than to the Passeres, 

 few of them being suitable subjects for study in captivitj-, excepting in 

 Zoological Gardens. To thoroughly understand any bird, it is necessarj- to know 

 its habits, both wild and in confinement. 



Formerljf the Picaria were included in the Passeres, but careful stud)' of their 

 striicture eventually induced Dr. Sclater to separate them as a distinct Order. 

 Seebohm was of opinion that the Picaria: should include the Owls, but Howard 

 Saunders appears not to have shared this opinion, and I do not profess to have 

 studied the question sufficienth' to be in a position to express an}' Adews. 



As regards the British Islands, this Order is a small one, onl)' twelve species 

 having, in ui}^ opinion, any claim to be included -in our list : these are referable 

 to ten genera and eight families. 



The British families of Picaria are as follows: — Cypse/ida (S'w-ifts); Capri- 

 mulgida: (Goatsuckers) ; Picidcc, with two Subfamilies ; lymgina (Wr^mecks) and Pi^itut 

 (Woodpeckers) ; Alcedinidce (Kingfishers) ; Coraciida (Rollers) ; Mcropida (Bee- eaters) ; 

 Uptipidm (Hoopoes) ; Cuculida (Cuckoos). 



