X SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF THE GENERA OF BIRDS 



FAMILY AMPELID^ 



(Chatterers) 



Bill stout, approaching, especially in the form of the lower mandible, 

 to that of the Corvidae ; the upper mandible is however somewhat broad 

 at the base, flat, with the upper edge more or less angular and ridged, and 

 the tip distinctly notched. Feet usually stout, with the outer toe united 

 to the middle one as far as, or beyond, the first joint. They feed 

 principally on berries and other soft fruits, occasionally also on insects. 



29. Ampelis (Waxwing). BUI as above ; nostrils oval, concealed by 



smaU feathers directed forwards ; wings long and pointed ; first 

 and second primaries longest, some of the secondaries and tertials 

 terminating in wax-like prolongations of their shafts. 



Page 76 



FAMILY MUSCICAPID.E 



(Flycatchers) 



BUI broad, flattened horizontally (depressed), slightly toothed and adapted 

 for catching small flying insects ; nostrils more ^or less covered by bristly 

 hairs ; feet generally feeble. 



30. MuscfcAPA (Flycatcher). Bill moderate, somewhat triangular, de- 



pressed at the base, compressed towards the tip, which is slightly 

 curved downwards ; gape armed with stiff bristles ; tarsus equal 

 to or longer than the middle toe ; side toes of equal length ; wings 

 with the first primary very short, and the third and fourth longest. 



Page 77 



FAMILY HIRUNDINID.E 



(Swallows and Martins) 



Beak short but broad, and more or less flattened horizontally • month 

 very deeply cleft ; feet small and weak ; wings with nine visible primaries, 

 long and powerful, and thus adapted for sustaining a protracted flight in 

 pursuit of winged insects, which form the sole sustenance of these birds ; 

 tail long and usually forked ; plumage close, smooth, often burnished Witts' 

 a metallic gloss. Migratory birds, spending the summer in temperate climates, 

 but being impatient of cold, withdrawing in winter to equatorial regions. 



31. Hirundo (Swallow). Bill short, depressed, very wide at base, com- 



missure straight. Nostrils basal, oval, partly closed by membrane. 

 Tail deeply forked, of twelve feathers, the outermost greatly elon- 

 gated and abruptly attenuated. Legs and feet slender and bare ; 

 toes rather long, three in front, one behind ; claws moderate. 



Page 80 



32. CHELfDON (Martin). Bill short, depressed, very wide at base, com- 



missure slightly decurved. Nostrils basal, oval, partly closed by 

 membrane and opening laterally. Tail forked, of twelve feathers, 

 outermost not abruptly attenuated. Legs and feet slender, closely 

 feathered above ; toes rather long, three in front, one behind ; claws 

 moderate, sharp. Page 83 



33. CoTiLE (Sand-martin). Bill short, depressed, very wide at base, 



commisssure straight. Nostrils, wings and tail as in chelidon! 

 Legs and feet slender, and bare except for tuft of feathers on tarsus 

 just above hallux ; toes moderate, three in front, one behind ; 

 claws strong. Page 84 



