ORDERS OF BIRDS. 199 
This sub-class is divided into fourteen orders, all of which are repre- 
sented in Ohio except the last—Spheniscr, Penguins, which are confined to 
the Southern Hemisphere. It is, however, to be understood that these 
orders do not take equal rank with the orders in other classes of animals, 
for the reason that birds want, in common, many of those charac- 
ters, the possession or lack of which constitute orders in other ani- 
mals. In other words, they want the characteristic differences which 
constitute orders elsewhere, and have no other differences of equal value 
or importance. 
The following is Dr. Coues’ arrangement and definition of the orders: 
A. PASSERES. Hallux invariably present, completely incumbent, separately 
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 ot the least covers upon 
the plica alaris, arranged in only two series, the greater of which does not 
reach beyond the middle of the secondary remiges. Retrices twelve (with 
rare anomalous exceptions). Musical apparatus present in greater or less de- 
velopment and complexity. Palate egithognathous. Sternum of one particu- 
lar mould, single-notched. Carotid single (sinistra). Nature highly altricial 
and psilopedie. 
a. OSCINES. Sides of the tarsus covered in most or all of their extent with 
two undivided horny pilates meeting behind in a sharp ridge (except in 
Alaudide; one of the plates imperfectly divided in a few other forms). 
Musical apparatus highly developed, consisting of several distinct 
pairs of syringeal muscles. Primaries nine only, or ten with the first 
frequently spurious, rarely over two-thirds the length of the longest, 
never equaling 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 faras known). Primaries ten with rare exceptions, the first usually 
equaling or exceeding the rest. 
B. PICARIA. Hallux inconsiderable, weak or wanting, not always incumbent, 
not separately movable by distinction of a special muscle, its claw not 
longer than that of the middle toe unless of exceptional shape. Second 
or fourth toe frequently versatile; third and fourth frequently with decreased 
numberof joints. Wing-coverts forthe most part larger and in morenumerous 
series than in Passeres, the greater series reaching beyond the middle of the sec- 
ondary quills (except in many Pici, and some others). Retrices commonly ten 
(eight to twelve). Primaries always ten, the first only exceptionally short 
(as in Pici). Musical apparatus wanting, or consisting of a muscular mass, of. 
not more than three pairs of syringeal muscles. Palate desmognathous or 
egithognathous. Sternum of non-passerine character, its posterior border 
entire or doubly notched or fenestrate. Carotid single or double. Nature 
completely altricial, but young sometimes hatched with down (e. g. Caprimul- 
gid@). 
