AVES. 365 
A group composed of about a dozen American woodpeckers and a few 
which are natives of India. 
The golden-winged woodpecker or flicker of the United States (Colaptus 
auratus) is the best known. He is a very elegant bird, with plumage of 
dark umber, transversely marked with black on the upper parts of his 
body, below of very delicate fawn-color, with a broad crescent of deep 
black. He is well known to our country people and to all amateur sports- 
men, who are attracted by his size and handsome appearance, though not 
very readily shot on account of his easily excited suspicions and quick 
movements. 
Several species intimately resembling the yellow-winged woodpecker 
‘have been discovered in California and Mexico. 
The Indian species are smaller birds of similar general habits. 
Sub-fam. 7. Yuncine, or’ Wrynecks. Bill short, straight, acute ; wings 
moderate and pointed ; tail moderate, rounded, composed of soft feathers ; 
tarsi and feet short. Size small, colors plain. 
Three birds only are contained in this sub-family ; the only one of which 
the history is well known is the wryneck of Europe, Yunz torquilla (pl. 98, 
Jig. 9), so called from its having a peculiar twisting motion of the head and 
neck. Its principal food is ants, which it obtains by pecking away the 
earth from about their nests, and then allowing the insects to adhere to its 
glutinous tongue. It is found throughout Europe. 
Fam. 4. Cucutin2, or Cucxoos. A family of birds very different in 
form and manner from the preceding climbers, and much more resembling 
the perching birds. They have, however, the peculiar form of foot which 
characterizes the other climbers, and by which they may be recognised. 
There are about one hundred and fifty species of cuckoos, which are 
found in all the countries of the world. 
Sub-fam. 1. Indicatorine, or Honey Guides. Bill short, broad at base, 
curved, compressed; wings long, pointed; tail moderate, emarginated ; 
tarsi and feet short. Size small, colors plain. 
Contains about ten little birds of Africa and India, which have obtained 
the names of honey guides from the fact that they are usually observed in 
the vicinity of nests of wild bees. The honey from those is said to be 
their chief food, in the obtaining of which they are frequently attacked by 
the bees and stung to death. The best known are the greater and smaller 
honey guides of Africa (Indicator major and minor), which inhabit Liberia 
and other countries of Western Africa. 
Sub-fam. 2. Saurotherine, or Ground Cuckoos. Bill long, straight, 
hooked at the tip, compressed ; wings moderate, rounded ; tail lengthened ; 
tarsi and feet long and robust. Size rather large. 
A sub-family of about six birds only, which are exclusively American. 
Several species which are found in Mexico and California habitually 
frequent the ground, on which they run with great swiftness. They are 
partial to dry, bushy places, and are very shy and difficult to approach. 
Their food consists of reptiles, insects, and other small animals. 
Sub-fam. 3. Coccyzine, or Curved-bill Quckoos. Bill arched, com- 
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