﻿340 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 



same time that they represent the perfection of the 

 class of Birds. 



(277.) The Curtipedes, as their name expresses, 

 are an assemblage of short-footed families, much di- 

 versified in general structure ; but having the toes SO 

 arranged as not to admit of their being habitually em- 

 ployed in walking. The situation of the toes is either 

 similar to those of the ordinary perchers, or in pairs ; 

 in some few there are only three, and there are not 

 wanting instances (as in the colies and swifts) where all 

 the four toes are placed forward. These minor differ- 

 ences, joined to others which will be subsequently men- 

 tioned, serve to characterise the three aberrant tribes 

 composing the primary group ; namely, 1. The Scan- 

 sores ; 2. The Tenuirostres ; and 3. The Fissirostres. 



(278.) The Scansores are composed entirely of those 

 families which habitually and invariably climb among 

 trees ; and, in consequence of this habit, have their feet 

 peculiarly constructed for the purpose. Sometimes the 

 toes are placed in pairs; that is, two before and two 

 •behind : sometimes one of the outer toes is nearly versa- 

 tile, so that it can be almost brought forward, while in 

 others the three anterior toes are in the ordinary direc- 

 tion ; but in all these variations the hinder toe is 

 remarkably developed, as in the nuthatch and creeper, 

 for the obvious purpose of giving support to the body : 

 the tarsus is always very short, and none of these birds 

 possess either the conic bill or the terrestrial habits 

 of the last tribe. The woodpeckers (Picidce), the par- 

 rots (Psittacidce), the toucans (Ramphastidce), the 

 cuckows (Cucididce) , and the creepers (Certhiadcs), are 

 the several families under which the whole of the scan- 

 sorial, or climbing birds, are naturally arranged. 



(279-) The Tenuirostres, or suctorial tribe, in- 

 cludes the smallest and the most brilliant birds in creation. 

 Unlike all others, they possess a long retractile tongue, 

 divided into slender filaments, with which they lick the 

 nectar of flowers. Many of them still retain something 

 of f he scansorial structure of the last tribe, particularly 



