42 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



compressed, culmen curved to tip, commissure 

 curved, upper mandible inflexed and emargi- 

 nated at tip ; nostrils generally round, ex- 

 posed, or partly covered by frontal plumes ; 

 wings moderate and pointed ; tail often 

 lengthened ; tarsi rather long, strong ; toes 

 and claws strong, especially the hind claw. 



20. Family. — Starlings (Sturnidae). Bill in form of 



a compressed cone, culmen more or less ad- 

 vancing on forehead, straight or very slightly 

 inflexed near tip, commissure greatly angu- 

 lated at base, upper mandible rarely emargi- 

 nate ; frontal feathers advancing to posterior 

 part of nostril-openings ; wings moderate and 

 pointed ; tail often short. 



21. Family. — Finches (Fringillidae). Bill short, 



thick, conical, broad, and often angular at 

 base, more or less pointed at tip, where upper 

 mandible is sometimes slightly inflexed, com- 

 missure angulated at base, or sinuated ; tarsi 

 of about equal length to middle toe, hind 

 claw more or less lengthened. 



22. Family. — Colies (Coliidse). Bill short, broad at 



base, culmen elevated and arched ; nostrils 

 naked, placed in a large membranous groove ; 

 wings short, pointed ; tail long, cuneated. 

 Possess the power of turning all the toes for- 

 wards. 



23. Family. — Plantain-Eaters (Musophagidae). Bill 



rather large, broad at base, compressed, cul- 

 men high, curved to tip, sometimes advancing 



