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ANALYTICAL TABLE OF THE HIGHER GROUPS. 
BY ELLIOTT COUES, M. D., U. S. A. 
A. PABBERES. Hallux invariably present, completely incumbent, sepa- 
rately movable by specialization of the flexor hallucis longus , with enlarged 
base and its claw larger than that of the middle digit. Neither second nor 
fourth toe versatile; joints of toes always 2, 3, 4, 5, from first to fourth. 
Wing-coverts comparatively short and few ; with the exception of the least 
coverts upon the plica alaris : arranged in only two series, the greater of 
which does not reach beyond the middle of the secondary remiges. Rec- 
trices twelve (with rare anomalous exceptions). Musical apparatus present 
in greater or less development and complexity. Palate segithognathous. 
Sternum of one particular mould, single-notched. Carotid single (sinistra.) 
Nature highly altricial and psilopsedic. 
a. Oscines. Sides of the tarsus covered in most or all of their extent 
with two undivided horny plates meeting behind in a sharp ridge (ex- 
cept in Alaudidce ; one of the plates imperfectly divided in a few other 
forms). Musical apparatus highly developed, consisting of several dis- 
tinct pairs of syringeal muscles. Primaries nine only, or ten with the 
first frequently spurious, rarely over two thirds the length of the 
longest, never equalling the longest. 
b. Clamatores. Sides of the tarsus covered with divided plates or 
scales variously arranged, its hinder edge blunt. Musical apparatus 
weak and imperfect, of few or incompletely distinguished syringeal 
muscles (as far as known). Primaries ten with rare exceptions, the 
first usually equalling or exceeding the rest. 
B. PICARLZEJ. Hallux inconsiderable, weak or wanting, not always in- 
cumbent, not separately movable by distinction of a special muscle, its claw 
not longer than that of the middle toe unless of exceptional shape (e. g. Cen- 
tropus). Second or fourth toe frequently versatile; third and fourth fre- 
quently with decreased number of joints. Wing-coverts for the most part 
larger and in more numerous series than in Passeres , the greater series 
reaching beyond the middle of the secondary quills (except in many Pici 
and some others). Rectrices commonly ten (eight to twelve). Primaries 
always ten, the first only exceptionally short (as in Pici). Musical appara- 
tus wanting, or consisting of a muscular mass, or of not more than three 
pairs of syringeal muscles. Palate desmognathous or segithognathous. 
Sternum of non -passerine character, its posterior border entire or doubly 
notched or fenestrate. Carotid single or double. Nature completely al- 
tricial, but young sometimes hatched with down (e. g. Caprimulgidce). 
a. Cypseli. Palate segithognathous. Wings lengthened in their ter- 
minal portions, abbreviated basally, with the first primary not reduced. 
Tail of ten rectrices. Bill fissi rostral or tenuirostral. Feet never zygo- 
dactyle nor syndactyle, small, weak, scarcely fitted for locomotion; 
hallux often elevated or lateral or reversed ; front toes usually webbed 
