THE SINGING mRDS, 
281 
Order 11. Passeres (Perching birds). — The highest 
group of birds, those which sing, are the Passerine birds or 
perchers. In these birds the feet are adapted for grasp- 
ing, one toe projecting backward, while the bill is horny. 
Fig. 272.— The Lyre-bird of Australia {Menura superba)^ 
usually sharp — conical, according to Coues. Various as 
are the shape of the wings, they agree in having the great 
row of coverts not longer than half the secondaries; the 
primaries either nine or ten in number, and the secondaries 
