Order PICAEIiE. 
Distinguished from the Passeres by the presence of a double notch in the posterior margin of 
the sternum. Bill not toothed. Wing with ten primaries. Feet in the Scansorial section arranged in 
pairs, two in front and two behind ; in others simple, and arranged three in front and one behind. 
Fam. PICID^l. 
Bill straight, pointed or wedge-shaped at the tip. Head generally crested, 'bail of twelve 
feathers, with the shafts rigid and stout. Feet zygodactyle, one of the posterior toes sometimes 
wanting. 
Skull very strong. Tongue very long and extensile, and furnished at the tip with barbs. 
Sternum with a double notch in the posterior edge. 
Subfam. PICINAE. 
Bill moderate or long, compressed, with the tip wedge-shaped, the ridge acute, and the 
lateral ridge just above the nostrils and very pronounced ; the gonys long. Feet large ; the outer 
posterior toe longer than the outer anterior one ; the inner posterior toe always well developed. 
Genus PICUS. 
Bill of medium size, culmen nearly straight and sharp, lateral ridge parallel to the culmen 
and continued forward till it meets the margin. Nostrils concealed by a tuft of feathers. A\ ings 
with the 1st quill very short, the 2nd considerably shorter than the third, and the 4th and 5th 
the largest. Tail with the shafts stiff and decurved, the tip forked. Tarsus longer than the 
anterior toe, which is shorter than the versatile or long posterior toe ; claws strong and curved. 
