28 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
only musical birds, form about one-third of our ornithological 
fauna, and in Massachusetts are represented by eighteen fami- 
lies. 
The Clamatores, or non-singing Passeres, are represented by 
the flycatchers (§ 19). 7 
§1. The Turdida, or thrushes, now considered the high- 
est group among birds, and ranked accordingly, are 6}-12 
inches long. Bill not conical (which term in ornithology ne- 
cessitates rather straight outlines, and a depth approaching 
the length) but at least twice as long as high; with the upper 
mandible usually hooked and slightly notched ; also bristled and 
with open nostrils (pl. 1, fig. 2). Average length of the tarsus 
about 1°15 inch; middle toe nearly or quite equal; other toes 
considerably shorter, and approximately equal. Primaries ten, 
the first being more or less spurious. Tail never forked, but 
often rounded, and of twelve feathers as in all our other oscine 
birds. The Sazaicolide G 2) and Sylviide (§ 3) differ but lit- 
tle in structure or plumage: their coloration is, however, very 
much brighter, and their tails (at least in the genera Sialia 
and Regulus) are more or less forked. Our bluebirds are, 
moreover, seven inches long or less, and our “sylvias” all 
less than five. ; . 
The typical groups of these three families (including the 
subfamilies Turdine and Reguline) are characterized by 
booted tarsi (pl. 1, fig. 1). The other subfamilies, Mimine 
and Polioptiline (the mocking-thrushes and gnatcatchers), have 
scutellate tarsi (pl. 1, fig. 3), and rather long, rounded tails. 
I am inclined to think that the Harporhynchi (Gen. III) are 
entitled to the rank of a subfamily. Their bills are unnotched, 
unhooked, and frequently curved (pl. 1, fig. 4). Their eggs, 
moreover, are markedly different from those of all other 
thrushes. The common Blue Bird may be considered a repre- 
sentative of the Savicolide, while the Sylviide are closely re- 
lated to the titmice and warblers. The Wood Thrush and Cat- 
bird are good types of their respective groups, though several 
thrushes nest upon the ground, or have spotted eggs. 
