128 
KEY TO FAMILIES 
Order XVII. Passeres. — Perching Birds: Flycatchers, 
Blackbirds, Jays, Orioles, Sparrows, Finches, 
Swallows, Vireos, Warblers, Wrens, Thrushes, 
etc. 
Toes four, without webs, all on the same level; hind- 
toe as large as the middle one, its nail generally 
longer than that of the middle one; tail of twelve 
feathers. (Fig. 58.) 
[The following synoptical 
table of the characters 
of the twenty families A 
which we have in this 
order seems more satis- 
factory than an artifi- 
cial key.] 
Family 1. Tyrannidce . — Flycatchers (Fig. 59). 
Bill wider than high at the base, 
slightly hooked at the tip; base with 
conspicuous bristles ; wings longer than 
the tail, the second to fourth prima- 
ries longest, the first but little shorter 
and generally equal to the fifth or 
sixth ; back of tarsus rounded , like 
the front; plumage generally olive- 
green or grayish; tail, except in the 
Kingbird, without white spots, p. 338. 
Fig. 59 . 
Family 2 . A laudidce. — Larks 
(Fig. 60). 
Bill rather stout and rounded; 
nostrils with bristly tufts; nail 
Fig. 60 . 
of hind-toe much lengthened, as 
long as the middle-toe without nail; back of the tarsus rounded like the 
front, p. 347. 
b 
Family 3. Corrida . — Crows and Jays (Fig. 61). 
Large birds, over lO'OO in length; bill stout, the nostrils concealed by tufts 
of bristly feathers; fourth to fifth primary the longest, the first about half 
as long; outer tail-feathers shortest; feet and legs stout, p. 350. 
