YERTEBRATA. 



335 



for rapid and powerful flight. The bill is stout and sharp, 

 and usually toothed. All are carnivorous. The female is 

 larger than the male, except the Condor. There are two 



Fig. 320.— Foot of Parrot and Woodpecker. 



sections : the Diurnal, whose eyes are on the sides of the 

 head, wings pointed, and metatarsus and toes covered over 

 with scales, as the Vultures, Kites, Hawks, Falcons, and 

 Eagles ; the Nocturnal, whose large eyes are directed for- 

 ward, and surrounded by radiating feathers, metatarsus 

 feathered, and plumage soft, as the Owls. 



9. Picarice. — This polymorphic group has hardly any 

 peculiarities in common. 171 The toes are usually paired, 

 two in front and two behind. 



There are three divisions of the order: Cypseli, or 

 Swifts, Goat -suckers, and Humming-birds; Cuculi, or 

 Cuckoos, Kingfishers, Trogons, Toucans, Hornbills, and 

 Hoopoes ; and Pici, or Woodpeckers. These Birds are not 

 musical, and only ordinary fliers. They feed on Insects 

 or fruit. The majority make nests in the hollows of old 

 trees ; but the Cuckoos lay in the nests of other Birds. In 

 climbing, the Woodpeckers are assisted by their stiff tail. 



