Order II, PASSERES. Tribe III, Dentirostres, Family I, Luscinid^e. 



The sixth Subfamily, 



MNIOTTLTIN^E, or Bush-Creepers, 



have the Bill more or less acutely conical, with the culmen sloping, and the sides compressed to the tip, 

 which is slightly emarginated ; the gonys long, and advancing upwards ; the Nostrils basal, with the 

 opening more or less large, and exposed : the Wings rather long, and generally pointed : the Tail 

 moderate : the Tarsi as long as, or longer than, the middle toe, covered in front with broad scales : the 

 Toes long and slender, with the outer toe usually longer than the inner, and united at its base. 



Mniotilta Vieill* 



Bill rather short, conical, and straight, with the culmen gradually curved or sloping, and the sides 

 gradually compressed to the tip, which is slightly emarginated ; the lateral margins imiexed ; the gonys 

 long, and advancing upwards, and the gape furnished with a few short weak bristles ; the nostrils basal, 

 and placed in a short broad groove, with the opening rather large, and partly closed by a membrane. 

 Wings long and pointed, with the first quill nearly as long as, or equal with, the second and third, which 

 are equal and longest. Tail moderate and broad, with the end of each feather sometimes pointed. 

 Tarsi rather longer than the middle toe, slender, and covered in front with broad scales, the divisions of 

 which are sometimes scarcely visible. Toes long and slender ; the outer toe longer than the inner, and 

 united at its base ; the hind toe long, stronger than the others, and armed with a rather strong curved 

 claw. 



The species of this division are found, in consequence of their migratory habits, in various parts of the vast continent 

 of America, and its adjacent islands. They are usually observed on trees or low thickets, especially those near rivers 

 or lakes, actively engaged in examining the bark of the trunk and branches, and the leaves of trees, for spiders and other 

 kinds of insects, which constitute their food, both in the perfect and imperfect states. As soon as they have finished 

 their examination of one bush or tree, they pass by a short active flight to another, which undergoes the same scrutiny ; 

 and some species are even seen flying about the upper branches of the trees, feeding on the small dipterous insects that 

 frequent such localities. At other times these birds feed on small berries. The nest is generally formed near the 

 ground, in a bush, or in the fork of a low tree, of grass very compactly woven together, and lined with hair and down, 

 in which the female lays five eggs. 



* Vieillot established this genus in 1816 {Analyse, &c. p. 45.), with which Oxyghssus of Mr. Swainson (1827) is synonymous. It 

 embraces Rhimanphus of Rafinesque (1819), with which Ficedula Cuv. (1799-1800) and Sylvicola of Mr. Swainson (1827) are 

 coequal; Chloris of M. Boie (1826), with which Parula of the Prince of Canino ( 18:<8) is synonymous ; Helmitheros of Rafinesque 

 (1819), with which Vermivora of Mr. Swainson (1827) and Helinaia of Mr. Audubon (1839) are coequal. It probably embraces 

 Mgithina of Vieillot (1816). 



