488 



PASSERINES. 



known. They are remarkably massive in form, heavy and slow 

 on the wing. They are placed by systematists near the Toucans 

 {Ramphastos), from similarity of habits, and especially from ithe 

 structure of the tongue, which is in both long, and so. niuch 

 ciliated at the sides as to resemble a feather. The feet, however, 

 are totally different from those of the Toucans. In the Moinots 

 {he beak is long, robust, and crenated at the edge. Th^ are 

 very wild, and lead an isolated life in the thick forests of ^outh 

 America, where they build in holes in trees. 



UtoJ'ni^ 



Pig. 2ua. — Momot {Friomtcs, tow.). 



Tenuieostres. 



The Passerine Tenuirostres are characterised by a long slender 

 beak, straight or curved, but always without indentation] They 

 are insectivorous, and comprise the Hoopoes, Hummin|-birds, 

 Creepers, and Nuthatches. 



The Hoopoes {Upupa, Linn.) have the beak long, slenir, tri- 

 angular, and slightly curved. This group, which Mrl Gray 

 designates the Upupidm, includes a number of birds whose ffineral 

 form presents the greatest analogy, but which possess ther own 

 peculiarities of plumage and special physiognomy. Thfe has 

 necessitated its subdivision into sub-genera, of which the Htopoes 

 {Upupa), the Promerops (Brisson), and the Epimachus are wWthy 

 of notice. 



