DIVISIONS OF BIKDS. 



303 



character, the Insessores have been divided into four great sections, 

 as follows : — 



1. Conirostres, — in which the bill is strong and on the whole con- 

 ical, broad at the base, and tapering with considerable rapidity to the 



Fig. 217. — A, Head of Hoopoe (Upiipa epops\ showing tlie teiiuirostral type of beak. 

 B, Head of Red-backed Shrike {Laniiis coUurio), showing tlie dentirostral type of 

 beak. C, Head of White-bellied Swift (Cypselus melict), showing the ii.ssirostral 

 type of beak. D, Head of Corn-bunting (EmberUa miliaria), showing the coniros- 

 tral type of beak. E, Foot of the Yellow Wagtail (MotaciUa sulphurea). F, Foot 

 of a Finch {Fringilla). 



point (fig. 217, D). The upper mandible is not markedly toothed at 

 its lower margin. Good examples of the conirostral beak are to be 

 found in the Sparrows, Finches, Buntings, Crows, &c. The greater 

 part of the Conirostres are omnivorous, eating anything which may 

 come in their way; but some are granivorous, svibsisting upon grains 



