242 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PASSERES — OSCINES. 
shorter than wings. Tarsus little if any longer than the middle toe and claw. Of medium 
size. Cosmopolitan. One genus — Turdus. 
Miminaz: Mocking Thrushes. Tarsal scutella usually distinct. Bill variable, sonctimes 
attaining extraordinary length and curvature. Rictus bristly. Nostrils oval, exposed. Wings 
short and rounded; 1st quill not strictly spurious, at least one-half as long as 2d, which is 
shorter than 6th. Tail equalling or much longer than wings. Of medium and largest size. 
Peculiar to America. An aberrant group, related to the Troglodytide. Three genera, — 
Oroscoptes (fig. 114, A), Mimus, Harporhynchus. 
Cinctinaz: Dippers. Tarsi booted. Bill shorter than head. Nostrils linear, exposed, 
but overreached by feathers. No bristles whatever about rictus. Wings short, but still longer 
than the very short square tail, with strictly spurious lst primary. Form stout. Plumage 
dense. Habits aquatic. Cosmopolitan. One genus— Cinclus (fig. 114, C). 
SaxIcoLinz: Chats, etc. Tarsi booted. Bill small, much shorter than head. Rictus 
bristly. Nostrils oval. Wings pointed, exceeding the short, square or emarginate tail. Tar- 
sus usually much longer than the middle toe and claw (not in Sialia). Of small size and 
slender form, and for the most part terrestrial; but scarcely distinguished from Turdine 
proper. Chiefly Old World: Three genera, — Saxicola, Cyanecula, and Siaha (fig. 114, B). 
Reeuuinz: Kinglets. Tarsi booted (seutella rarely appreciable). Bill much as in 
Turdine, but small and weak. Nostrils exposed, or overhung by tiny feathers. Wings 
pointed, with strictly spurious Ist primary, longer than the even or emarginate tail. Tarsi 
longer than middle toe and claw. Very small; under six inches. Greenish, often with flaming 
crest. Chiefly Old World. Two genéra, — Phylloscopus and Regulus. 
PouiopTininz: Gnat-catchers. Tarsi scutellate. Bill very slender, but widened and 
flattened at base, with acute notched and hooked tip. ictus strongly bristled. Nostrils 
entirely exposed. First primary not strictly spurious, half as long as the 2d. Very small; 
under six inches. Coloration bluish, black and white. Peculiar to America. One genus— 
Polioptila. / 
Artificial Key to the Genera, 
Tarsi distinctly scutellate (if not, crissum reddish). Wings not longer than tail. 
Length under 6 inches. Colors bluish, black and white . .. . se ew ee e ©) 6 6Polioptila 11 
Length over 6 inches. 
Bill about as long as head or much longer. Tail decidedly longer than wings. Harporhynchus 4 
Bill shorter than head. 
Wings and tail of about equallengths. Ashy, spotted below . . . . . Oroscoptes 2 
Wings rather shorter than tail. Ashy, adults plain below; or cap black - 2. . Mimus 3 
Tarsi booted (anterior scutella at most indistinct). 
Length 5 inches or less. Colors greenish and yellowish. 
A flame-colored crest . . . 1... et ee we ae 7 - . . . Regulus’ 10 
No colored crest . . é Oe Ss » +... . Phylloscopus 9 
Length over 5 inches. 
No bristles about bill. Whole-colored. Aquatic oak ete A Se ae dee ROR i TCMMCMS: ST 
Rictus bristled. 
Tarsus much longer than middle toe and claw. 
Blue on throat, reddish on tail cane we ep + . Cyanecula 8 
No blue or reddish. Tail black and white... ....- . Saxicola 5 
Tarsus littleif any longer than middle toe and claw. 
Coloration chiefly blue; bill and feet black... ..... 2... . Sialia 6 
No blue. Bill and feet not black. . . iv Wee-ke oe es Lurdus 1 
Oss. — In determining character of tarsus, whether booted or scutellate, it is necessary to examine adult birds; 
for the fusion of the anterior scutella is progressive, and only accomplished perfectly at maturity. And in general, 
in using artificial keys to genera and species, the student must agree with the author in understanding that speci- 
mens fairly illustrating normal adult characters are in hand. 
