WOODPECKERS. 
559 
middle feathers not spotted at the extremity, as are the 
rest. The bill is stouter and higher at the base appar- 
ently than in our common kinds. The nakedness and 
superior length of the tarsus, so different from the two 
preceding species, appears to have afforded an exclusive 
unmodified generic trait to the founder of the genus, 
which we have endeavoured to remedy by sectional divi- 
sions. The definition of C. vetula by Linnaeus, “be- 
neath testaceous, above brownish, with red eyebrows/’ 
induced Mr. Abbot, on the authority of Latham,* to quote 
the vetula as an inhabitant of Georgia (our C. domini- 
ons) ; and there is little doubt but Linnaeus described from 
this species, so wholly different from that assumed as 
such by Latham (the Tacco), which has never yet been 
seen within the boundaries of the United States. If the 
synonyme of Linnaeus had not been so embroiled by 
Latham, we should not have hesitated to give the name 
of vetula to Wilson’s C. erytliroplitlialma. 
2d. Family. (Sagittilingues. Illiger . Bonap.) 
In these the bill is generally long, straight, conic, and edged. 
The tongue is also extremely long, capable of great extension, sharp 
and rigid at the point, and armed at the edges with stiff reversed 
bristles. The 4 toes are always disposed in opposite pairs, 2 before 
and 2 behind ; rarely there exists but a single hind toe. 
PIOUS. Lin. (Woodpeckers.) 
The bill long, or moderate, usually straight, pyramidal, compress- 
ed, cuneate, and edged like scissars towards the point ; above, in gen- 
eral, straightly carinated. Nostrils basal, oval, open, though part- 
ly hidden by the advancing bristly feathers of the face. Feet short 
and robust, suited for climbing; hind toes divided; the outer inca* 
pable of being reversed, the inner toe minute or rarely wanting ; the 
two anterior ones united at the base. Wings , moderate in length, 
* Suppl.vol. ii. p. 135. No. 5. 
