MANUAL OF NATUKAL HISTORY. 41 



trils round, frequently exposed; feet short and 

 weak; claws moderate; tail often lengthened. 



16. Family — Chatterers (Ampelidse). Bill short, 



strong, broad and more or less depressed at 

 base, culmen more or less curved to tip where 

 upper mandible is bent down and notched; 

 gape wide, generally without bristles ; tarsi 

 short and strong ; claws very strong ; tail 

 often very short. 



17. Family. — Butcher-Birds (Laniidae). Bill strong, 



culmen curved more or less, a deep notch 

 near tip of upper mandible, which is hooked, 

 generally a few bristles at base ; nostrils 

 round ; tarsi of moderate length and strong ; 

 claws acute. 



IV. SUB-ORDER. — Conirostral-Birds (Conirostres). 



Bill of various lengths, strong, conical, seldom 

 notched ; feet well developed, fitted for walk- 

 ing or perching, tarsi boldly scutellate ; wings 

 generally pointed. 



18. Family. — Crows (Corvidse). Bill strong, some- 



what compressed, generally straight, some- 

 times arcuated, or upper mandible gently 

 curved to tip, which is sometimes slightly in- 

 flexed ; nostrils frequently covered with stiff 

 feathers, directed forwards ; tarsi strong, co- 

 vered with thick scales ; wings generally long 

 and pointed. 



19. Family. — Corvine-Starlings (Chlamyderidse). 



Bill strong, not very lengthened, more or less 



