SYNOPSIS OF ORDERS AND FAMILIES. 
OrpDER XVI. GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, AND HUMMINGBIRDS. 
MACROCHIRES. 
(3 families, 27 species, 6 subspecies. ) 
Bill, in the Goatsuckers and Swifts, small; mouth large; in the Hum- 
mingbirds, bill long, slender, needle-like; wings and tail variable; feet, 
in all three groups, small and weak. Color, in Goatsuckers, mixed 
brown, buff and black; in Swifts, black and white; in Hummingbirds, 
usually shining green above with resplendent throat-patches of varied 
hues. 
WHIP-POOR-WILL, 
Family 44. GOATSUCKERS, ETC. CAPRIMULGIDA. } 
Feet usually small and weak; toes, three in front, one behind; middle toe-nail pectin- 
ate or combed; bill small; mouth very large and usually beset by long bristles. 
CHIMNEY SWIFT. 
Family 45. SWIFTS. MICROSPODIDA. 
Biil small, triangular when seen from above; mouth large, no bristles; tail variable, 
in Cheiura with projecting spines; wings long and narrow; feet small and toes short; 
plumage usually dark. 
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. 
Family 46. HUMMINGBIRDS. TROCHILIDA. 
Bill long and slender; feet slender; wings large and pointed; tail exceedingly variable. 
often assuming the most striking shapes. 
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