304 VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 



and seeds. To this section belong the (Hornbills) Buceridce, the 

 Starlings (Sturnidce), the Crows, Jays, and Magpies (Corvidce), 

 the Crossbills (Loxiadce), and the numerous Finches and Larks 

 {Fringillidce). 



2. Dentirostres. — The Birds of this section are characterised by the 

 fact that the upper mandible of the beak is notched or toothed on 

 its lower margin near the tip (fig. 217, B). They all feed upon ani- 

 mal food, especially upon insects. In this section are the Shrikes 

 {Laniidce)^ the Fly-catchers (Muscicajjkke), the Thrushes {Merididce), 

 and the Warblers {Sylviadce). 



3. Teiiiiirostres. — In this section the beak is long and slender, 

 gradually tapering to a point (fig. 217, A). The toes are generally 

 very long and slender, especially the hinder toe. The Humming- 

 birds feed upon the wing, and amongst these are some of the most 

 fragile and brightly coloured of all the Birds. Others, however, 

 live upon insects, which they catch upon the ground or on the trunks 

 of trees, and some of these approach nearly to the Dentirostres in 

 many of their characters. Amongst the more important gi-oups 

 included in this section are the Creepers {Certhidce), the Honey- 

 eaters {Melqjlu.igidie), the Humming-birds {Troeldlidai), and the 

 Hoopoes ( Upupidw). 



4. Fissirostres. — The beak in the Fissirostral Perchers (fig. 217, C) 

 is generally short, and remarkably wide in its gape, and the opening 

 of the bill is protected by a number of bristles. This arrangement 

 is in accordance with the habits of the Fissirostres, the typical forms 

 of which live u]ion insects and take their prey upon the wing. The 

 most typical Fissirostres, in fact, such as the Swallows and Goat- 

 suckers, fly about with their mouths open, and the insects which 

 they catch iu this way are prevented from escaping, partly from the 

 bristles which border the gape, and partly by a sticky secretion 

 within the mouth. The most typical Fissirostral Birds are the 

 Swallows and Martins {Hirundinida;), the Goat-suckers (C'aprumU- 

 ffidce), and the Swifts {Cypselidce); but to these the Bee-eaters {Mero- 

 pidce) and the King-fishers are usually added. 



Order VI. Eaptores. 



The Birds of Prey are characterised by the form of the beak, which 

 is adapted for tearing animal food (fig. 218, B). The upper mandi- 

 ble is the longest, hooked at its point, " strong, curved, sharp-edged, 

 and sharp-pointed, often armed with a lateral tooth " (Owen). The 

 body is extremely muscular ; the legs are robust, short, with three 

 toes in front and one behind ; all the toes armed with strong, curved, 

 crooked claws or talons (fig. 218, A). They all feed upon the flesh 



