AVES. 



63 



slim throughout ; the Wren with a beak perfectly conical and 

 pointed, and the Meadow-Larks with a slim beak, and the 

 nail of the thumb very long. 



Genus Pipra, Lin. Manakin. 



A compressed bill higher than broad, and emarginated ; 

 tail and feet short ; two external toes united at the base for 

 one-third their length. Two subgenera. 



Subgenus Rupicola, Briss. Cock of the Rock. 



Large and beautiful birds, having a double vertical crest 

 on the head. 



Subgenus Pipra, Cuv. Manakins proper. 



Small birds remarkable for their lively colours ; no crest. 



FAMILY II. FISSIROSTRES. 



Beak short, broad, flattened horizontally, slightly crooked, 

 without notches, and with an extended commissure. Two 

 remarkable genera, one nocturnal, the other diurnal. 



Genus Caprimulgus, Lin. Goatsucker. 



Mouth excessively large ; beak depressed, very small, 

 curved at the end, garnished with strong mustachios; nos- 

 trils in the form of small tubes. These solitary birds only 

 fly during twilight, or upon fine nights, and pursue Phalense 

 and other nocturnal insects. 



Genus Hirundo. Swallow. 



Wings very long; flight rapid ; plumage thick ; flight di- 

 urnal. They are remarkable for their industry in building 

 their nests. Two subgenera — the Swallow proper, which has 

 the toes of the feet as in the other Passerinee, and the sternum 

 notched; and the Martinet, which has wings excessively 

 long ; a very powerful flight ; tail always forked ; feet very 

 short ; the thumb capable of turning forward as the other 

 toes; and no notch in the sternum. 



FAMILY III. CONIROSTRES. 



Beak strong, more or less conical, and without emargina- 

 tion. Six remarkable genera. 



