

Order II. PASSERES. Tribe II. Tenuirostbes. 



The third Family, 



TROCHILIDiE, or Humming-Birds, 



have the Bill generally long, slender, straight or curved, with the culmen usually rounded and the tip 

 acute ; the lateral margins sometimes dilated over the lower mandible ; the Nostrils basal, and covered 

 by a large scale, which is sometimes plumose : the Wings generally long, with the first quill usually 

 the longest : the Tail more or less long, and of various forms : the Tarsi very short, and generally slender : 

 the Toes long, slender ; the lateral toes usually united at their base ; the hind toe moderate, and furnished 

 with a more or less lengthened claw. 



The first Subfamily, 



GRYPINiE, or Wedge-tailed Humming-Birds, 



have the Bill more or less long, slender, and generally curved throughout its length ; with the culmen 

 keeled at the base, and then rounded to the tip, which is acute ; the lateral margins dilated, and over- 

 lapping the lower mandible ; the nostrils basal, and covered by a scale : the Wings long and pointed : the 

 Tail long, broad, and generally cuneated : the Tarsi short and slender : the Toes long, slender, and 

 sometimes united at their base ; the hind toe more or less long and slender : the anterior Claws long and 

 slender, and that of the hind toe sometimes very small. 



Ph.etornis Swains* 



Bill very long, slightly curved throughout, with the base broad, and the sides gradually compressed to 

 the tip, which is very acute ; the lateral margins dilated, and overlapping the lower mandible ; the 

 culmen keeled above the nostrils, and then rounded to the end ; the nostrils basal, with the opening 

 covered by a slightly plumose scale. Wings long and pointed, with the first quill the longest. Tail 

 lengthened, composed of broad feathers, and cuneated, with the ends of the two middle feathers much 

 prolonged. Tarsi very short, slender, and clothed with feathers. Toes long and very slender, with the 

 lateral ones united to the middle toe at the base, and equal; the hind toe short and slender, and armed 

 with a short curved claw ; the claws of the fore toes long, curved, and acute. 



The species of this division are found in the warmer parts of South America. 

 * Mr. Swainson established this genus in 1827. (Zool. Journ. 1827, p- 357-) 



