PASSERINE. 143 



SYNDACTYLY, 

 Which has long been divided into several genera. 



Merops, Lin. 

 The Bee-eaters have an elongated beak, triangular at base, slightly arcuated 

 and terminating in a sharp point. There is a double emargination on each 

 side of the hind part of the sternum. Theii- long, pointed wings, and short 

 feet render their flight similar to tliat of Swallows. They pursue insects in 

 gfreat flocks, especially bees, wasps, 8cc. and it is remarkable, that they are 

 never stung by them. 



Pkionites, lllig. 

 The Motmots have their feet and carriage, but differ in the beak which is 

 stronger, the edges of both mandibles being serrated, and in their tongue, 

 which, like that of the Toucans, is barbed. They are beautiful birds, as 

 large as the Magpie; the plumage on the head loose as in the Jays, and a 

 long cuneiform tail; the stems of the two middle quills being stripped of 

 their webs for a short distance near the extremities, gives to the whole a 

 singular appearance. They fly badly, are solitary, build in holes, feed on 

 insects, and even on small birds. 



Alcedo, Lin. 

 The Kingfishers have shorter feet than the Bee-eaters, and the beak much 

 longer, which is straight, angular, and pointed; the tongue and tail are very 

 short. They feed on small fish which tliey capture by precipitating them- 

 selves into the water from some branch where they have remained perched, 

 watching for their prey. They nestle like Bee-eaters in holes on the banks 

 of streams, and are found in both continents. 



ToDus, Lin. 

 The Todies are small birds of America resembling the Kingfishers in their 

 general form as well as in their feet and elongated beak, but the latter is 

 horizontally flattened, and obtuse at the point. The tarsus also is higher, 

 and the tail not so short. They feed on flies and build on the ground. 



BucEROs, Lin. 

 The Hombills are large birds of Africa and India, whose enormous dentated 

 beak is studded with excrescences which sometimes equal in size the beak 

 itself, and which are always of considerable extent above. This renders 

 them very remarkable, and allies them to the Toucans; while, at the same 

 time, theu' cari'iage and habits approximate them to tlae Crows, and their 

 feet to the Bee-eaters and the Kingfishers. The shape of these excrescen- 

 ces on the beak varies with age, and in tlie very young bii'd they are not 

 even visible; the interior is generally cellular. They live on all sorts of food, 

 eat soft fruits, hunt mice, small bu-ds, reptiles, and do not even despise 

 carrion. 



