Order PICARI^E. 



Distinguished from the Passeres by the presence of a double notch in the posterior margin of 

 the sternum. Bill not toothed. Wing with ten primaries. Feet in the Scansorial section arranged in 

 pairs, two in front and two behind ; in others simple, and arranged three in front and one behind. 



Fam. PICID.F. 



Bill straight, pointed or wedge-shaped at the tip. Head generally crested. Tail of twelve 

 feathers, with the shafts rigid and stout. Feet zygodactyle, one of the posterior toes sometimes 

 wanting. 



Skull very strong. Tongue very long and extensile, and furnished at the tip with barbs. 

 Sternum with a double notch in the posterior edge. 



Subfam. PICIN^. 



Bill moderate or long, compressed, with the tip wedge-shaped, the ridge acute, and the 

 lateral ridge just above the nostrils and very pronounced ; the gonys long. Feet large ; the outer 

 posterior toe longer than the outer anterior one ; the inner posterior toe always well developed. 



Genus PICTJS. 



Bill of medium size, culmen nearly straight and sharp, lateral ridge parallel to the culmen 

 and continued forward till it meets the margin. Nostrils concealed by a tuft of feathers. Wings 

 with the 1st quill very short, the 2nd considerably shorter than the third, and the 4th and 5th 

 the largest. Tail with the shafts stiff and decurved, the tip forked. Tarsus longer than the 

 anterior toe, which is shorter than the versatile or long posterior toe ; claws strong and curved. 



