39 
of the United /States. 
Inhabits the north of both continents, but far less frequent 
in America ; seldom observed in Pennsylvania and New 
Jersey, except in remarkably cold winters. (6.) 
ORDER If. PASSERES. 
Passeres , Piece, Accipitres , L • Gm. Passeres , Piece, Columbce , 
Lath. 
Scansores , Amhulatores, Rasores , III. 
Passereaux , Grimpeurs , Gallinaces , Cmu. Sylvicolce , Vieill. 
Omnivores , Insectivores, Granivores, Zygodactyli, Anisodac- 
tyliy Alcyones, Chelidones , Columhce , Temtn. 
Passeri, Rampicanti , Galline , Ranz. Passeres , Scansores, 
Passerigalliy Lair. 
Bill generally short or of middling length, subconic. 
Feet short or moderate ; tibiae fleshy, wholly feathered (Al~ 
cedo, Merops, Grallaria excepted) ; tarsi rounded ; toes four, 
very rarely three, entirely cleft, (Caprimulgus, Musophaga, 
Penelope excepted) disposed 2 — 2, 3 — 1, 2 — 1 ; hind toe 
articulated with the tarsus on a level with the rest, bearing 
on the ground its whole length ; nails usually slender, com- 
pressed, somewhat retractile, incurved, acute. Neck short or 
moderate : body slender, compressed. Tail mostly of twelve 
feathers, rarely of eight, ten, or fourteen. 
Female generally smaller. 
Feed on insects, seeds, fruits and berries, some large spe- 
cies also on eggs, small birds and fishes. Monogamous: 
both sexes construct the nest, sit on the eggs, and rear the 
young ; the male feeds his mate while sitting : nests of 
some species constructed with great art : eggs generally 
about five, but vary from two to more than twelve. Young 
feed from the mouth of the parent, only leave the nest when 
able to fly, and are afterwards fed until able to provide 
for themselves. Many species possess great powers of voice, 
and excel all other birds in singing. 
