2 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



dactyle, nor semipalmate, although the anterior toes 

 for a part or the entire length of the basal joints, 

 are ordinarily immovably joined to each other. For 

 further ordinal characters our readers should ex- 

 amine some standard work upon classification. 



The species belonging to the above order are 

 the typical Insessores, and represent the highest 

 grade of developmental structure, as well as the 

 most complex, of the class. They possess high 

 physical irritability, the result of a rapid respiration 

 and circulation ; of all birds they consume the most 

 oxygen and live the fastest. 



The (Passeres constituting the Insessores proper 

 of most ornithologists, comprehending the great 

 majority of birds, are separable into two groups 

 ordinarily designated suborders, from the structure 

 of the inferior larynx ; in one, this organ i^ a com- 

 plicated muscular vocal apparatus; while in the 

 other, it is less developed, rudimentary or lacking. 



Suborder Oscines. Singing (Birds. 



The above constitutes the higher of the two sub- 

 orders previously referred to; comprising species 

 which possess a more or less complicated vocal 

 apparatus, consisting of five sets of muscles; but 

 many of them are unable to sing. Ornithologists 

 are not agreed which of the numerous Oscine 

 families, should occupy the head of the series ; but 

 Dr. Coues inclines to the belief that some member 

 of the oscine family with the possession of nine 

 primaries — as the finches or tanagers — will eventu- 



