Part 53

Smaller than English sparrow; bill slender and curved downward; wings rather pointed, long as tail; tail graduated, stiff, with long, sharp-pointed feathers; claws long and strongly curved. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Sexes alike, and young the same. Found circling tree trunks.

5. Troglodytidæ: WRENS and MOCKING THRUSHES.

This family is divided into two subfamilies.

WRENS: Smaller than English sparrow; bill slender, sometimes long and arched; no bristles at corner of mouth; wings rounded; tail usually held up. (Ridgway.)

Parents and young alike. Food: insects. Singers. Found near the ground.

MOCKING THRUSHES: Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, mostly rather long; bristles at corner of mouth; wings rounded; tail longer than wings; appear like thrushes; fine singers. (Ridgway.)

Sexes nearly alike. Food, insects and fruit. Some of them found in bushy borders of woods, some about gardens and houses, and others in various places.

6. Cinclidæ: DIPPERS.

Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, shorter than head; wings short, stiff and rounded; tail shorter than wings, soft and square; claws strongly curved; plumage soft and compact; body stout, thickset. Sexes alike. (Coues.)

Food: water insects and larvæ. Found in and about the brooks of the Rocky Mountains and other mountains of the West.

7. Motacillidæ: WAGTAILS and PIPITS.

Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, cone shaped, nearly as high as wide, at base; short bristles at corner of mouth; wings rather long and pointed; tail narrow and slightly forked; legs rather long; hind claw very long, sharp and slightly curved. (Ridgway.)

Sexes alike. Food: insects. Found on the ground, where they walk, and wag their tails.

8. Mniotiltidæ: WARBLERS.

It is almost impossible to characterize this family, there are so many varieties. With few exceptions they are very small and beautifully colored birds, sexes unlike, and changes of plumage with age and season. Some are found in the tops of trees, some on bushes, and some on the ground. Food: insects. (Coues.)

9. Vireonidæ: VIREOS.

Generally smaller than an English sparrow, and more slender; bill notched in both mandibles; tail rather short, nearly even, of narrow feathers; front toes more or less united. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Constant singers. Sexes alike and young the same, without spots or streaks. Some found in trees in the woods, and others about towns where English sparrows are not too numerous.

10. Laniidæ: SHRIKES.

Larger than an English sparrow; bill powerful, tip hooked and notched; wings short, rounded; tail long and much graduated. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects, small mammals, and sometimes birds. Sexes alike, and young the same. Found on outside of low trees, fences, telegraph wires, and peaks of roofs.

11. Ampelidæ: WAXWINGS, etc.

Somewhat larger than an English sparrow; bill short, broad and rather flat; head with pointed crest; wings long and pointed; tail short, narrow, even; legs of moderate length. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects and fruit. Sexes usually alike. Found in trees in woods and in shade and orchard trees.

12. Hirundinidæ: SWALLOWS.

About the size of an English, sparrow; bill short, flat, and very broad at the head; mouth opens back nearly to the eyes; wings long and scythe shaped; tail forked; legs short; feet weak; plumage compact and usually lustrous. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Sexes usually alike, and young a little different. Found in flocks, in the air, on roofs or fences or telegraph wires, sometimes on trees.