CHAPTER XVI 



The Passerine Birds 

 ORDER— PAS SERIFORME S 



IN this chapter we shall describe some families of 

 what are known as the Passerine, or Perching- 

 birds. These, though preserving a remarkable 

 :miformity in so far as their anatomical characters are 

 concerned, present an amazing variety superficially, 

 as in colouration and in the form of beak, so much 

 so that nearly six thousand distinct species are known 

 to science. 



Though all are essentially tree-dwellers, many 

 species have come to pass much of their time in low 

 scrub or in the open country. Some possess remark- 

 able powers of flight, while others are practically 

 unable to fly. 



This great series may be divided into two more 

 or less sharply defined groups, based partly upon the 

 structure of the syrinx, or voice-organ, and partly 

 upon other anatomical characters. 



The first of these groups may be sub-divided so as 

 to form three smaller groups, distinguishable partly 

 by means of characters afforded by the voice-organ, 

 and partly by other anatomical characters; all of 

 which are too complicated to come within the scope 

 and purpose of this volume. 



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