FAM. PIPRIDA 
BY C. E. HELLMAYR 
HE Piprid@ form one of the families of the subdivison Oligomyod@ of the Meso- 
myodian Passeres. 
Characters. The Pipride are dentirostral Oligomyodae, mostly of small size 

and generally of bright plumage in the male sex. The intrinsic muscles of the 
voice Organ are affined at or near the middle of the bronchial semi-rings. The lower end o 
the trachea is not modified; the syrinx is as in the Oscines, but with a lesser number of singing- 
muscles. The tarsus is exaspidean. In this respect the Pijrvid@ agree with the Tyrannidae and 
Oxyrhamphide from which they may be distinguished by having the toes more or less united. 
The bill is proportionately short, thick and shows a more or less distinct notch near the 
end of the upper mandible. The culmen, in the majority of species, is either rounded or slightly 
ridged, only in one genus (Xevopipo) is the mesorhinium broad and flattened. The nostrils are 
either circular or oval, but always quite exposed. The metatarsus is mostly covered in front with 
some large, distinctly separated scutellae while in other forms (e. g. Masius) the scutes are 
fused, thus forming a long lamina, divided only on the lower end, near the toes, Toes connected 
at the base, the outer and middle toes especially so. The moderately long wings have ten pri- 
maries, the tip is formed by the third, fourth and fifth primaries. The outer primaries are often 
of abnormal shape : short and pointed, attenuated or curved, this being particularly the case 
in the male sex. The tail, composed of twelve feathers, is variable in length and shape. In 
some genera (Chiroxiphia, Ilicura) the middle tail feathers are elongated, in others (Cirrhipipra) 
the outer rectrices greatly modified, In the majority of the species the sexes are dissimilar, 
though in some genera they are nearly alike. 
