ORDEES OF BIRDS. i 



This subclass is divided into fourteen orders, all of which are repre- 

 sented in Ohio except the last — Sphenisci, Penguins, which are confined to 

 the Southern Hemisphere. It is, however, to be understood that these 

 orders do not take equal rank with the orders in other classes of animals, 

 for the reason that birds want, in common, many of those charac- 

 ters, the possession or lack of which constitute orders in other ani- 

 mals. In other words, they want the characteristic differences which 

 constitute orders elsewhere, and have no other differences of equal value 

 or importance. 



The following is Dr. Coues' arrangement and definition of the orders : 



A, PASSEEES. Hallux invariably present, completely incambent, separately 



movable by BpeoializatioQ of the flexor hallucis longun, with enlarged base and 

 its claw larger than that of the middle digit. Neither second nor fourth toe 

 versatile ; joints of toes always 2, 3, 4, 5, from first to fourth. Wing coverts 

 comparatively short and few ; with the exception ot the least covers upon 

 the pliea alaris, arranged in only two series, the greater of which does not 

 reach beyond the middle of the secondary remiges. Eetricea twelve (with 

 rare anomalous exceptions). Musical apparatus present in greater or less de- 

 velopment and complexity. Palate segithognathoua. Sternum of one particu- 

 lar mould, siugle-notohed. Carotid single (sinistra). Nature highly altriclal 

 and psilopaedic. 

 a. OsciNKS, Sides of the tarsus covered in most or all of their extent with 

 two undivided horny plates meeting behind in a sharp ridge (except in 

 Alandtdce; one of the plates impfifectly divided in a few other forms). 

 Musical apparatus highly developed, consisting of several distinct 

 pairs of syringeal muscles Primaries nine only, or ten with the first 

 freqnently spurious, rarely over two-thirds the length of the longest, 

 never equaling the longt'st. 

 h. Clamatorbs. Sides of the tarsus covered with divided plates or scales 

 variously arranged, its hinder edge blunt. Musical apparatus weak 

 and imperfect, of few or incompletely distinguished syringeal muscles 

 (as far as known). Primaries ten with rare exceptions, the first usually 

 equaling or exceeding the rest. 



B. PICAEIiE. Hallux inconsiderable, weak or wanting, not always incumbent, 



not separately movable by distinction of a special muscle, its claw not 

 longer than that of the middle toe unless of exceptional shape. Second 

 or fourth toe frequently versatile ; third and fourth freqnently with decreased 

 numberof joints. Wing-coverts for the mostpart larger and in morenumorous 

 series than in Paaserea, the greater series reaching beyond the middle of the sec- 

 ondary quills (except in many Pid, and some others). Eetrices commonly ten 

 (eight to twelve). Primaries always ten, the first only exceptionally short 

 (as in Pici). Musical apparatus wanting, or consisting of a muscular mass, of 

 not more than three pairs of syringeal muscles. Palate desmognathons or 

 SBgithognathous. Sternum of non-passerine character, its posterior border 

 entire or doubly notched or fenestrate. Carotid single or double. Nature 

 completely altrioial, but young sometimes hatched with down (e. g. Oaprianuh 

 gida). 



