Part 2

35. COCCOTHRAUSTES (Hawfinch). Bill tapering rapidly to point, culmen rounded; mandibles nearly equal, edges inflected and slightly indented. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, nearly hidden by projecting and recurved frontal plumes. Wings with first quill obsolete, third and fourth primaries nearly equal, sixth, seventh, and eighth curved outwards. Tail short, and nearly square. Tarsus scutellate in front, covered at sides with single plate, stout and short; claws moderately curved, rather short and strong. _Page 87_

36. CARDUÊLIS (Goldfinch and Siskin). Bill a rather elongated cone, compressed at the tip, and finely pointed; wings long, pointed; first three primaries nearly equal and the longest; tail slightly forked. _Page 88_

37. PASSER (Sparrows). Bill somewhat arched above; lower mandible rather smaller than the upper; first three primaries longest. _Page 92_

38. FRINGILLA (Chaffinch and Brambling). Bill straight, sharp, pointed; mandibles nearly equal; first primary a little shorter than the second, much shorter than the third and fourth, which are nearly equal and the longest. _Page 95_

39. ACANTHIS (Linnet, Redpolls, Twite). Bill a short straight cone, compressed at the tip; wings long, pointed; third primary somewhat shorter than the first and second, which are equal and the longest; tail forked. _Page 98_

40. PÝRRHULA (Bullfinch). Bill short and thick, the sides tumid; upper mandible much arched and bending over the lower one; first primary nearly equal to the fifth, second a little shorter than the third and fourth, which are the longest. _Page 101_

41. LOXIA (Crossbill). Bill thick at the base; both mandibles equally curved, hooked at the tips, and crossing each other at the points. _Page 103_

42. EMBERIZA (Buntings, Yellow-hammer). Bill with upper mandible not wider than lower, edges of both inflected and those of latter gradually cut away (sinuated); the palate generally furnished with a hard bony knob; wings moderate, first primary obsolete, second, third and fourth nearly equal. Tail rather long and slightly forked. Claws considerably curved, that of hind toe of moderate length. _Page 106_

43. PLECTROPHENAX (Snow Bunting). Bill with upper mandible narrower than lower, otherwise as in Emberiza. Wings long and pointed, first primary obsolete, second and third nearly equal and longest in wing, fourth considerably longer than fifth. Tail moderate and slightly forked. Front claws rather long and curved; hind claw considerably curved and elongated. _Page 110_

44. CALCARIUS (Lapland Bunting). Bill with considerably inflected cutting edges (tomia); claws of front toes short and slightly curved; hind claw nearly straight and elongated; other characters much as in Plectrophenax. _Page 111_

FAMILY MOTACILLIDÆ (WAGTAILS AND PIPITS)

Wings with nine visible primaries. Inner secondaries nearly as long as primaries.

45. MOTACILLA (Wagtail). Cutting edges of both mandibles slightly compressed inwards; nostrils basal, oval, partly concealed by a naked membrane; first primary acuminate and nearly obsolete, second and third nearly equal and longest; one of the scapulars as long as the quills; tail long, nearly even at the end; tarsus much longer than the middle toe. _Page 111_

46. ANTHUS (Pipit). Bill and nostrils very much as in Motacilla; two of the scapulars as long as the closed wing; first primary acuminate and nearly obsolete, second shorter than the third and fourth, which are the longest; hind claw very long. _Page 116_

FAMILY ALAUDIDÆ (LARKS)

Wings with nine or more visible primaries. Planta tarsi scutellate. Granivorous birds, frequenting open spaces, and singing during their flight; nesting on ground and seeking their food there by running; they are 'pulverators', i. e. they shake dust or sand into their feathers instead of bathing.

47. ALAUDA (Lark). Bill moderate, slightly compressed at edges; upper mandible more or less arched from middle. Nostrils basal, oval, covered by bristly feathers directed forward. Gape straight. Wings long; first primary short but unmistakably developed; second, third and fourth nearly equal, but third longest. Tail moderate, slightly forked. Tarsus longer than middle toe; claws slightly curved and moderate, except that of hind toe, which is generally elongate and nearly straight. _Page 119_

48. OTÓCORYS (Shore-lark). Bill rather short, subconic; upper mandible slightly arched. Head--in adult male--with tuft of long, erectile feathers on either side of occiput. Wings long; first primary so small as at first sight to seem wanting, second longest but third nearly its equal, fourth decidedly shorter, outer secondaries short and emarginate at tip. Tail rather long, slightly forked. Tarsus shorter than middle toe; claws moderate and very slightly curved, that of hind toe being comparatively straight. _Page 122_

ORDER PICARIÆ

Opposed to the Passeres. The feet are relatively weaker and smaller.

FAMILY CYPSELIDÆ (SWIFTS)

Tail of ten feathers (swallows have twelve). Gape very wide.

49. CÝPSELUS (Swift). Bill very short, flattened horizontally, triangular; upper mandible curved downwards at the point; gape extending beyond the eyes; legs very short; toes all directed forwards; wings extremely long; first primary a little shorter than the second. _Page 123_

FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDÆ (GOATSUCKERS)

The bill in this family resembles that of the Swallows, but is shorter and weaker; the gape is enormous and its sides are, for the most part, furnished with long and stiff bristles, which point forwards; the wings are long, and formed for powerful flight; the feet are small, and feathered to the toes; plumage soft and downy, and beautifully mottled with black, brown, grey, and white, varying in colour with the soil of their habitat; the claw of the middle toe is dilated on one side and toothed like a comb. Tail of ten feathers. Nocturnal birds, feeding on large insects, which they capture in their flight.

50. CAPRIMÚLGUS (Goatsucker or Nightjar). Bill very short, somewhat curved, broad and flattened at the base; upper mandible curved downwards at the tip; gape extending beyond the eyes, and armed with strong bristles; wings long; first primary shorter than the second, which is the longest. _Page 125_

FAMILY PICIDÆ (WOODPECKERS)

Feet short, but of unusual strength; the rigid toes diverge from a centre, two pointing forwards, and two backwards; claws large, much curved, and very hard and sharp; breast-bone shallow; flight weak and undulating.

_SUB-FAMILY PICINÆ_

Tail feathers stiff and pointed: nostrils covered with bristles.

51. DENDROCOPUS (Spotted Woodpeckers). Bill about as long as the head, robust, straight, irregular, compressed, pyramidal, laterally bevelled at the tip; tongue long and extensile, the tip barbed; nostrils basal, oval, concealed by reflected bristly feathers; wings with the first primary very short, fourth and fifth longest; tail-feathers graduated, stiff and pointed. Fourth toe much longer than third. Prevailing colours of the plumage black and white, or black and red. _Page 127_

52. GÉCINUS (Green Woodpecker). Bill hard, broad at base, compressed at tip; upper mandible slightly arched, ending abruptly with shallow groove on each side running parallel to and near the culmen, and longer than lower mandible, which is pointed and has the gonys nearer the tip than the base and the tomia rounded. The fourth toe equal to the third. Prevailing colour greenish, otherwise much as in Dendrocopus. _Page 129_

_SUB-FAMILY IYNGINÆ_

Nostrils partly covered by a membrane.

53. IYNX (Wryneck). Bill shorter than the head, straight, conical; tongue long and extensile; nostrils without bristles, partly closed by a membrane; wings with the second primary somewhat the longest; tail-feathers soft and flexible. _Page 131_

FAMILY ALCEDINIDÆ (KINGFISHERS)

Bill long, stout, and pointed, with angular sides, not serrated; feet small and feeble, the outer and middle toes united to the last joint; wings rounded and hollow, ill adapted for protracted flight; form robust, with a large head and usually a short tail. Predatory birds, feeding on fish, insects, and even reptiles, birds, and small quadrupeds. Scattered over the world, but Australia and South America contain the greatest number of species.

54. ALCÉDO (Kingfisher). Bill long, straight, quadrangular, sharp; wings short with the third primary the longest; tail very short. _Page 132_

FAMILY CORACIIDÆ (ROLLERS)

Bill corvine in shape; culmen rounded; nostrils near base of upper mandible and hidden by bristly feathers; tail feathers twelve.

54. CORÁCIAS (Roller). Bill compressed, straight, with cutting edges; upper mandible slightly hooked at the point; sides of the gape bristled; tarsus short; wings long; first primary a little shorter than the second, which is the longest. _Page 134_

FAMILY MEROPIDÆ (BEE-EATERS)

Bill long; culmen with sharply defined ridge; toes joined for part of length.

55. MÊROPS (Bee-eater). Bill long, compressed, slightly curved, slender, with cutting edges, broad at the base; upper mandible keeled, the tip not hooked; tarsus very short; wings long, pointed, second primary the longest; centre tail feathers elongated. _Page 135_

FAMILY UPUPIDÆ (HOOPOES)

56. UPUPA (Hoopoe). Bill longer than the head, slender, slightly arched, compressed; feathers of the head long, forming a two-ranked crest; tail even at the extremity. _Page 136_

FAMILY CUCULIDÆ (CUCKOOS)

Bill moderate, rather deeply cleft, both mandibles compressed, and more or less curved downwards; nostrils exposed; wings for the most part short; tail of ten feathers lengthened; toes four, two pointing backwards and two forwards, but the outer hind toe of each foot is capable of being placed at right angles with either the inner or outer front toe. A tropical family of birds, many of which migrate to the temperate regions in summer. Not so decidedly climbers as the Woodpeckers and Creepers, yet having great power of clinging. Their flight is feeble, their food soft-bodied insects, varied in many cases with berries and other fruits, and some of the larger species will occasionally prey on mice, reptiles, and the eggs and young of birds. Most, perhaps all of the migratory species, lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.

57. CÚCULUS (Cuckoo). Bill shorter than the head, broad, depressed at the base, with the ridge curved and the sides compressed towards the tip, which is entire and acute; nostrils in a membranous groove, the opening rounded and exposed; wings pointed, third primary longest; tail long, graduated; tarsi very short, feathered below the heel. _Page 137_

ORDER STRIGES (OWLS)

Head large, feathered; eyes large, dilated and projecting, each surrounded by a concave disc formed of stiff diverging feathers, concealing the cere and nostrils; ears large, and of elaborate construction; plumage lax and downy, adapted for slow and quiet flight; outer toe reversible; tibia more than double the length of tarsus. Food, small quadrupeds, birds, and insects.

FAMILY STRIGIDÆ

_SUB-FAMILY STRIGINÆ_

Bill somewhat elongated, bending at the tip only; head-tufts wanting nostrils oval, oblique; facial disc large and complete; ears large, covered by an operculum; wings long, the second primary longest; tarsi long, feathered to the toes, which are strangely furnished with hair-like feathers; claws long, the middle one serrated beneath.

58. STRIX (White Owl). Characters given above. _Page 142_

_SUB-FAMILY SYRNIINÆ_

Bill bending from the base; tufts more or less conspicuous or wanting; facial disc complete; ears large, covered by an operculum; legs feathered to the claws.

59. ASIO (Eared Owls). Nostrils oval, oblique; tufts more or less elongated; wings long, second primary the longest. _Page 144_

60. SYRNIUM (Tawny Owl). Nostrils round; egrets wanting; wings short and rounded; fourth primary longest. _Page 146_

ORDER ACCIPITRES (EAGLES, HAWKS, ETC.)

Bill short, strong, stout at base, culmen strongly curved. Feet strong, armed with powerful talons which are capable of being bent under the feet, inner one stronger and more curved than others. Outer toe usually not reversible.

FAMILY FALCONIDÆ

Head covered with feathers, though sides of face are more or less bare.

_SUB-FAMILY BUTEONINÆ_

Bill rather small and weak, bending from the base; cutting edge of the upper mandible nearly straight, or but slightly festooned; cere large; nostrils oval; wings long; the first four feathers deeply notched on their inner webs; tail not forked. Hinder aspect of tarsus scutellate.

61. CIRCUS (Harriers). Head surrounded by a circle of feathers; tarsi, long and slender, feathered a little below the joint; wings long third and fourth primaries the longest; tail long, somewhat rounded. _Page 147_

62. BUTEO (Buzzard). Lore without feathers; tarsi short and strong, naked or feathered; wings large, the fourth primary the longest. _Page 150_

63. PERNIS (Honey Buzzard). Lore with feathers; tarsi short and strong, naked or feathered; wings large, the fourth primary the longest. _Page 151_

_SUB-FAMILY AQUILINÆ_

Bill stout, convex or slightly angular above, straight at the base, much hooked at the tip, commissure simply festooned; cere bristly; nostrils rounded or oval; wings long. Hinder aspect of tarsus reticulate.

64. AQUILA (Eagles). Upper mandible with the cutting edge nearly straight; tarsi feathered to the toes; claws unequal, grooved beneath; wings with the fourth primary longest. _Page 152_

65. HALIAËTUS (Sea-eagle). Bill very long; edges of the upper mandible slightly prominent near the hook; tarsi half-feathered; claws unequal, grooved beneath; wings with the fourth primary longest; nostrils transverse, with bony margin all round. _Page 153_

66. PANDÍON (Osprey). Bill short, cutting edges of the upper mandible nearly straight; tarsi naked; outer toe reversible; claws equal, rounded beneath; wings with the second primary longest. _Page 154_

_SUB-FAMILY ACCIPITRINÆ_ (LONG-LEGGED HAWKS)

Bill short, strong, curved from the base; edge of the upper mandible with a prominent festoon beyond the middle; nostrils oval; wings rounded, short, reaching only to the middle of the tail; middle toe much the longest.

67. ACCÍPITER (Sparrow-hawk). Tarsi long and slender; fourth and fifth primaries equal in length and the longest. Ridge of bill measured from margin of cere is less than half middle toe (without claw). _Page 156_

_SUB-FAMILY MILVINÆ_

Bill of moderate length, slightly curved from the base, upper mandible with a slight festoon; nostrils oval, oblique; wings long; tail long and forked.

68. MILVUS (Kites). Tarsi feathered a little below the knee; fourth primary the longest. _Page 158_

_SUB-FAMILY FALCONINÆ_

Bill short, strong, curved from the base, upper mandible strongly toothed, lower notched; nostrils round; tarsi strong and short; hinder aspect reticulate; wings long and pointed, with the second primary longest, the first and third equal in length and having the inner web notched near the extremity.

69. FALCO (Falcons, Merlin, Hobby and Kestrel). Characters given above. _Page 159_

ORDER STEGANOPODES

Hind toe articulated on the inner surface of the tarsus, united to other toes by a web.

FAMILY PELECANIDÆ

Bill strong, edges of the mandibles minutely toothed; wings long; legs short; toes four, all connected by a membrane.

70. PHALACRÓCORAX (Cormorant). Bill straight, longer than the head, compressed; upper mandible much hooked at the point; face and throat naked; inner edge of the middle claw serrated; tail rounded, rigid. _Page 165_

71. SULA (Gannet). Bill straight, longer than the head, compressed, tapering to a point, which is but slightly curved; face and throat naked; inner edge of the middle claw serrated; tail graduated. _Page 168_

ORDER HERODIONES

Hallux free, not united to other toes by a web.

FAMILY ARDEIDÆ (HERONS)

Hind toe on same plane as others. Bill rounded or ridged; notched, with no hook at end. Outer toe with broad basal web, obsolete at base of inner toe; middle claw pectinated, loral space bare; powder down patches present.

72. ÁRDEA (Herons). Edges of mandibles distinctly serrated; head crested; nape feathers elongated and ornamented; plumes of fore-neck not disintegrated; no dorsal train. _Page 173_

73. NYCTÍCORAX (Night Heron). Bill scarcely longer than the head, much compressed; neck rather thick and short; crest of three very long tapering feathers. In other respects resembling Árdea. _Page 173_

74. BOTAURUS (Bittern). Bill scarcely longer than the head, much compressed; neck thick, clothed in front with long and loose feathers. In other respects resembling Árdea. _Page 173_

FAMILY CICONIIDÆ (STORKS)

Hind toe elevated above plane of others; no powder down patches; bill not hooked at tip.

75. CICÓNIA (Stork). Bill much longer than the head, stout, tapering to a point; nostrils near the base, pierced in the horny substance of the bill; tarsi very long; claws not pectinated; wings moderate, third, fourth, and fifth primaries longest. _Page 175_

FAMILY PLATALEIDÆ (SPOONBILLS)

Bill flattened, narrow in middle, and widening out into a spoon-shaped end.

76. PLATALÉA (Spoonbill). Head partly bare, auricular orifice covered with plumes. Nostrils elongated and in a shallow depression. _Page 176_

ORDER ANSERES

Tarsus about length of femur, reticulate at back and generally in front. Bill straight, always with distinct nail at tip of upper mandible. Young covered with down, and able to run or swim in a few hours after hatching.

FAMILY ANATIDÆ (DUCKS, GEESE, SWANS, ETC.)

Bill thick, broad, high at the base, covered with a thin membranous skin and ending in a nail-like horny tip; edges of the mandibles cut into thin parallel ridges, or toothed; wings moderate; legs placed not very far behind; feet, four-toed, palmated; hind toe free, placed high on the tarsus. Food, grass and aquatic weeds, worms, insects, molluscs, and small fish.

_SUB-FAMILY ANSERINÆ_

77. ANSER (Geese). Bill nearly long as head, elevated and covered with cere or skin at base; conspicuous nail at tip; under mandible smaller than upper; nostrils lateral, near middle of bill; tail of sixteen feathers; legs under centre of body; hind toe free, articulated upon tarsus. _Page 176_

78. BERNICLA (Brent and Bernicle Geese). Bill shorter than head, higher than broad at base; culmen slightly convex, outline of lower mandible decidedly so, leaving elliptical space displaying lamellæ; nostrils sub-basal; neck feathers less furrowed than in Anser_; tail short, rounded; tibia feathered to joint; hind toe short and elevated. _Page 180_

79. CYGNUS (Swans). Bill of equal length throughout, furnished with knob at base; nostrils medial; legs short; neck exceedingly long. _Page 181_

_SUB-FAMILY ANATIDÆ_

Bill of equal width throughout, or broader at the top than at the base, of about the same width as the head; legs short, placed rather behind the middle of the body; hind toe without a pendent membrane; tarsi somewhat round.

80. TADORNA (Sheldrake). Bill with an elevated tubercle at the base, depressed in the middle; nostrils large, pervious; lower portion of tarsus in front with a row of transverse scutellæ. _Page 184_

81. ANAS (Mallard, Gadwall). Bill long as head, broad, depressed, sides parallel, sometimes partially dilated, both mandibles with transverse lamellæ on inner edges; nostrils small, oval, lateral, anterior to base of bill; wings rather long, pointed; tail wedge-shaped; legs rather short; hind toe without lobe. Sexes differ in plumage. _Page 185_

82. SPATULA (Shoveller). Bill much longer than head, widening towards end, lamellæ projecting conspicuously; no soft membrane on sides of bill towards tip; wing pointed, first and second quills longest; tail short, graduated; legs very short. _Page 189_

83. DAFILA (Pintail). Bill long as head, edges nearly parallel, widening a little to end, lamellæ not strongly defined; neck long, slender; tail sharply pointed, central rectrices considerably elongated in male; margin of web to anterior toes slightly emarginate. _Page 190_

84. QUERQUÉDULA (Teal). Bill long as head, lamellæ exposed along projecting edge of upper mandible; tail of sixteen feathers, short and rounded; hind toe very small, outer shorter than third, centre rather long; interdigital membrane emarginate. _Page 191_

85. MARÉCA (Wigeon). Bill shorter than head, higher than broad at base, depressed and narrowed towards point; tail short, pointed; tibia bare for short distance; hind toe with very narrow lobe. _Page 192_

_SUB-FAMILY FULIGULINÆ_

Hind toe with lobated membrane; tarsi compressed.

86. FULÍGULA (Pochard, Tufted Duck, Scaup). Bill not longer than head, slightly elevated at base, broader towards tip; edges of upper mandible enclosing edges of lower; nostrils near base. _Page 193_

87. CLANGÚLA (Goldeneye). Bill much shorter than head, depressed towards nail, which is elliptical and decurved at tip; lamellæ hidden; nostrils near middle of bill. _Page 195_