Part 54

13. Tanagridæ: TANAGERS.

Larger than an English sparrow; bill conical, notched, bristles; wings longer than tail; tail of moderate length, somewhat notched; legs rather short. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Sexes unlike. Found on trees in the woods.

14. Fringillidæ: FINCHES.

Mostly about the size of an English sparrow, some smaller, some larger; bill short, high, and strong, turned down at the back corner; wings and tail variable. (Ridgway.)

Seed and insect eaters. Found everywhere--on trees, bushes, on ground, in woods, fields, and about houses.

15. Icteridæ: BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, etc.

Larger than an English sparrow; bill straight or gently curved; mouth turned down at corners; tail rather long and rounded; legs rather short. Includes birds of very different habits. (Ridgway.)

Food: seeds and insects. Sexes generally unlike. Found everywhere, on trees, in marshes, in woods. Many gregarious, found in flocks, some except in nesting season, and others all the year round.

16. Corvidæ: CROWS and JAYS.

Larger than a robin. There are two subfamilies.

CROWS: Bill longer than head; wings long and pointed; tail rather short and even.

JAYS: Bill shorter than head; wings short and rounded. (Ridgway.)

Food: almost everything--seeds, fruit, sometimes eggs and young birds. Found in woody places.

17. Alaudidæ: LARKS.

Larger than an English sparrow; bill short, conical, frontal feathers extend along the side; wings pointed; claw on hind toe very long and nearly straight. (Ridgway.)

Food: insects. Sexes nearly alike. Found on ground in fields and roads.

18. Tyrannidæ: FLYCATCHERS.

Mostly larger than an English sparrow; bill broad, flattened, curved downward at end, and notched at tip; bristles along the gape; wings and tail variable. (Ridgway.)

Entirely insectivorous. Found in woods and fields and about houses.

19. Trochilidæ: HUMMINGBIRDS.

Our smallest birds; bill slender, sharp, and straight, usually longer than head; wings long and pointed; legs short; feet small and weak; claws curved and sharp. (Ridgway.)

Food: tiny insects and the honey of flowers. Sexes unlike. Found about flowers.

20. Micropodidæ: SWIFTS.

About the size of an English sparrow; bill very small, triangular, much broader than high, without bristles; wings long and pointed; legs short; feet weak; tail very short, ending in stiff spines; plumage compact. (Ridgway.)

Food: entirely insects. Sexes alike. Found in the air or inside chimneys or hollow trees.

21. Caprimulgidæ: GOATSUCKERS.

Larger than a robin; bill very short; gape enormously long and wide; mouth open to behind the eyes; wings long; plumage soft. (Ridgway.)