Project Gutenberg's British Birds in their Haunts, by Rev. C. A. Johns This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: British Birds in their Haunts Author: Rev. C. A. Johns Release Date: November 21, 2011 [EBook #38077] Language: English Character set encoding: ASCII *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRITISH BIRDS IN THEIR HAUNTS *** Produced by Chris Curnow, Tom Cosmas, Lynne Smith and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net BRITISH BIRDS IN THEIR HAUNTS By the late REV. C. A. JOHNS, F.L.S. Author of _Flowers of the Field_ Edited, Revised, and Annotated by J. A. OWEN Author of _Birds in their Seasons, etc._ Collaborator in all Books by a 'SON OF THE MARSHES' Illustrated with 64 Coloured Plates (256 Figures) by WILLIAM FOSTER, M.B.O.U. WITH A GLOSSARY OF COMMON AND PROVINCIAL NAMES AND OF TECHNICAL TERMS TWELFTH EDITION [Logo] LONDON GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS, LIMITED NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO. +-----------------------------------------------+ | | | UNIFORM WITH THIS WORK. | | | | _Each with a series of Coloured Plates and | | Text-illustrations._ | | | | FLOWERS OF THE FIELD. By C. A. JOHNS, | | F.L.S., revised by CLARENCE ELLIOTT. | | | | BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS. | | By Dr. W. E. KIRBY. | | | | BRITISH FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES. | | By C. T. DRUERY. | | | | BRITISH FUNGI. By GEORGE MASSEE, | | of Kew Gardens. | | | | BRITISH TREES AND SHRUBS. | | By C. A. JOHNS. Edited by E. T. COOK. | | | | ILLUSTRATED NATURAL HISTORY OF THE WORLD. | | By ERNEST PROTHEROE, F.Z.S. | | | | ALPINE PLANTS OF EUROPE. By H. S. THOMPSON. | | With 64 coloured plates. | | | | -------------- | | GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS, LTD. | | | +-----------------------------------------------+ JOHN'S BIRDS, EDITED BY OWEN. _First Edition_, February, 1909; _Reprinted_, July, 1910; _Reprinted_, December, 1915; _Reprinted_, November, 1917; _Reprinted_, June, 1919; _Reprinted_, January, 1921; _Reprinted_, October, 1922; _Reprinted_, March, 1925; _Reprinted_, August, 1928; _Reprinted_, December, 1931; _Reprinted_, January, 1935; _Reprinted_, January, 1938. Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London EDITOR'S PREFACE This admirable work by the late Rev. C. A. Johns, F.L.S., which is now offered in a new form, has already proved the making of many a naturalist and it will be a delight and help to many more nature lovers who wish to determine a species without recourse to bulky scientific works. In editing the present edition I have carefully preserved all Mr. Johns' delightful personal stories and his descriptions of the birds and their daily life in their haunts, but I have brought the scientific arrangement of the species up to date, as well as altered the nomenclature, in accordance with present-day knowledge and use. We begin with the Passeres because modern ornithologists are now nearly all agreed that this order attains the highest Avian development. I have rectified statements as to the local distribution of various species which, with the progress of time and local changes, no longer apply, and have added facts here and there which I considered of some value. The faithful and beautiful presentments made by Mr. William Foster for this new edition have no need of our commendation to the public. J. A. OWEN. SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF THE GENERA OF BIRDS (_Numbered in accordance with the Plates and Descriptions in this Volume._) ORDER PASSERES (PERCHING BIRDS) Bill various; feet adapted for perching on trees or on the ground (not for grasping, wading, or swimming); toes four, all in the same plane, three before and one behind; claws slender, curved, and acute. Food, various; that of the nestlings, perhaps in all instances, soft insects. FAMILY TURDIDA (THRUSHES) Bill as long as the head, compressed at the sides; upper mandible arched to the tip, which is not abruptly hooked, notch well marked, but not accompanied by a tooth; gape furnished with bristles; feet long, with curved claws. Food--insects, snails and fruits. _SUB-FAMILY TURDIDA_ Young in first plumage differ from adults in having the upper and under parts spotted. Genus 1. TURDUS (Thrush, Blackbird, etc.) Bill moderate, compressed at the point; upper mandible notched, bending over the lower one; gape furnished with a few bristles; nostrils basal, lateral, oval, partly covered by a naked membrane; tarsus longer than the middle toe; wings and tail moderate; first primary very short or almost abortive, second shorter than the third or fourth, which are the longest. _Page 1_ 2. SAXACOLA (Wheatear). Bill straight, slender, the base rather broader than high, advancing on the forehead, compressed towards the point; upper mandible keeled, curved, and notched; gape surrounded by a few bristles; nostrils basal, lateral, oval, half closed by a membrane; first primary half as long as the second, which is shorter than the third, third and fourth longest; tarsus rather long; claw of the hind toe short, strong and curved. _Page 10_ 3. PRATANCOLA (Chats). Bill shorter and broader than in Saxicola; bristles at the gape strongly developed. Wings and tail rather short. _Page 12_ 4. RUTICILLA (Redstarts). Bill slender, compressed towards the point, a little deflected and very slightly emarginate; gape with tolerably large bristles. Nostrils basal, supernal, and nearly round. Wings moderate; the first quill short; the second equal to the sixth; the third, fourth and fifth, nearly equal, and one of them the longest. Legs slender, the tarsus longer than the middle toe, and covered in front by a single scale and three inferior scutellA|. _Page 14_ 5. ERATHACUS (Redbreast). Bill rather strong, as broad as it is high at the base, where it is depressed, slightly compressed towards the tip; upper mandible bending over the lower and notched, nostrils basal, oval, pierced in a membrane, partly hid by bristles diverging from the gape; first primary half as long as the second, fifth the longest; tail slightly forked. _Page 16_ 6. DAULIAS (Nightingale). Bill rather stout, straight, as broad as high at the base; upper mandible slightly bent over at the tip; gape with a few short bristles; nostrils basal, round, pierced in a membrane; first primary very short, second and fifth equal in length, third and fourth longest; tail somewhat rounded; tarsus elongated. _Page 17_ _SUB-FAMILY ACCENTORINA_ Bill strong and broad at base; upper mandible overlapping lower and slightly notched at tip. 7. ACCENTOR (Hedge-sparrow). Bill of moderate length, strong, straight, tapering to a fine point; edges of both mandibles compressed and bent inwards, the upper notched near the tip; nostrils naked, basal, pierced in a large membrane; feet strong; claw of the hinder toe longest, and most curved; first primary almost obsolete, the second nearly equal to the third, which is the longest. _Page 20_ _SUB-FAMILY SYLVIINA_ Young on leaving nest differ slightly in colour from adults. 8. SYLVIA (Whitethroats, Blackcap, Warblers). Bill rather stout, short, not very broad at base; upper mandible decurved towards point, which is slightly emarginate; nostrils basal, lateral, oval, and exposed; gape with bristles. Wings moderate, first quill very short. Tail with twelve feathers, generally rounded. Tarsus scutellate in front and longer than middle toe; toes and claws short. _Page 21_ 9. ACROCA%PHALUS (Reed, Marsh, Sedge, and Aquatic Warblers). Bill nearly straight, with culmen elevated, wide at base, compressed towards tip, and slightly emarginate; edges of lower mandible inflected; nostrils basal, oblique, oval, and exposed; moderately developed bristles at gape. Forehead narrow, depressed. Wings rather short, first quill minute, third usually longest. Tail rounded, rather long. Legs long; feet large and stout, hind toe strong; claws long and moderately curved. _Page 25_ 10. LOCUSTELLA (Grasshopper Warbler). Differs from other _SylviinA|_ chiefly in its more rounded tail and longer under tail-coverts. The late Professor Newton found the tendons of the tibial muscles strongly ossified in this genus. _Page 28_ 11. PHYLLA"SCOPUS (Chiff-chaff, Willow and Wood-warblers). Bill slender, rather short; upper mandible decurved from middle and compressed towards tip, which is very slightly notched; nostrils basal, lateral, oblong, partly operculate, membrane clothed with small bristle-tipped feathers, internasal ridge very thin; gape beset with hairs. Wings rather long, first quill comparatively large, third or fourth longest. Tail slightly forked, twelve feathers. Tarsus scaled in front, rather long. Toes long, claws curved. _Page 30_ _SUB-FAMILY REGULINA_ Arboreal. Each nostril covered by a single stiff feather. 12. RA%GULUS (Gold and Fire-crested Wrens). Bill very slender, awl-shaped, straight, compressed; cutting edges bent inwards about the middle; nostrils partly concealed by small bristly feathers, directed forwards; first primary very short, second much shorter than the third, fourth and fifth longest; tail moderate; tarsus slender, rather long. _Page 33_ FAMILY PARIDA (TITS) Bill short, straight, conical, sharp-pointed, destitute of a notch; nostrils basal, concealed by reflected bristly hairs. Small birds, remarkable for their activity, not highly gifted with musical power, constantly flitting and climbing about trees and bushes, which they examine for small insects, suspending themselves in all attitudes, feeding also on grains and fruits, and not sparing small birds when they are able to overpower them. 13. ACRA%DULA (Long-tailed Tit). Bill much compressed, both mandibles curved, upper considerably longer than lower. Eyelids with wide bare margins. Length of wing quills increases to fourth and fifth, which are longest. Tail very long, narrow, graduated, outer feathers one-third length of middle pair. Tarsus long, feet moderate. _Page 35_ 14. PARUS (Great, Blue, Cole, Marsh, and Crested Tits). Bill slightly compressed, upper mandible hardly longer than lower. First wing quill short, fourth or fifth longest. Tail moderate, even or slightly rounded. Tarsus moderate, feet strong. _Page 37_ FAMILY PANURIDA (Reedlings) 15. PANAsRUS (Bearded Tit or Reedling). Bill short, subconical; upper mandible curved at tip and bending over lower one, which is nearly straight; the edges of both somewhat inflected and not notched. Nostrils basal, oval, pointed in front and partly covered by reflected bristly feathers. Wing with ten quills, first almost obsolete, third longest, fourth and fifth nearly equal to it. Tail very long and, much graduated. Tarsus long and scutellate in front; feet stout; claws not much hooked. _Page 42_ FAMILY SITTIDA (NUTHATCHES) 16. SITTA (Nuthatch). Bill moderate, strong, and slightly conical; lower mandible ascending from angle to point. Tongue short, horny tip abrupt and furnished with strong bristles. Nostrils basal, rounded, in deep hollow, covered by short feathers and hairs. Wings rather long; first quill much shorter than second, fourth or fifth longest. Tail short, flexible, broad, nearly square. Legs short, stout, tarsi scutellate; toes long, strong, hind toe especially, outer toe joined at base to middle toe; claws large, much hooked. _Page 44_ FAMILY CERTHIIDA (CREEPERS) Bill either straight and subulate or slender, long, and curved; nostrils basal; tail never emarginate; fourth toe coalesced at first phalanx with middle toe. Principally insectivorous. 17. CERTHIA (Creeper). Bill rather long, slender, compressed, decurved, pointed; nostrils basal, lateral, elongate, partly covered by membrane. Wings moderate, rounded, first feather short, fourth and fifth longest. Tail of twelve feathers, long, stiff, pointed, slightly decurved. Feet large, tarsus slender; fore toes long, united at base as far as first joint; claws moderate, but much curved; hind toe short, but with long curved claw. Plumage soft and thick, especially above. _Page 47_ FAMILY TROGLODYTIDA 18. TRA"GLODYTES (Wren). Bill moderate, compressed, slightly curved, not notched, pointed. Nostrils basal, oval, partly covered by membrane. Wings short, concave, rounded; first quill rather short, fourth or fifth longest. Tail generally short; its feathers soft and rounded. Tarsus rather long and strong, middle toe united at base to outer but not to inner toe; hind toe as long or longer than middle toe; claws long, stout and curved. Plumage long and soft. _Page 48_ FAMILY CINCLIDA 19. CINCLUS (Dipper). Bill moderate, slightly ascending, angular, higher than broad at base, straight, compressed, and rounded near tip; upper mandible slightly decurving at point. Nostrils basal, lateral; in depression, cleft longitudinally, partly covered by membrane. Gape very narrow, without bristles. Wings short, broad, convex; first quill very short, second not so long as third or fourth, which are nearly equal. Tail short. Legs feathered to tibio-tarsal joint; tarsus longer than middle toe; lateral toes equal in length, outer toe slightly connected with middle. Whole body closely covered with down. _Page 51_ FAMILY ORIOLIDA Bill with notch in upper mandible; nostrils placed well in front of base of bill and quite bare. 20. ORIA"LUS (Oriole). Bill an elongated cone, depressed at the base; upper mandible keeled above, notched near the point, bending over the lower one; nostrils basal, lateral, naked, pierced horizontally in a large membrane; tarsus not longer than the middle toe; wings moderate; first primary very short, second shorter than the third, which is the longest. _Page 53_ FAMILY STURNIDA (STARLINGS) Bill nearly straight, short at the base, diminishing regularly to a sharp point, which is not distinctly notched; the ridge of the upper mandible; ascends upon the forehead, dividing the plumage of that part; nostrils placed low in the bill; planta tarsi entire; wings moderate, not reaching to end of tail. An extensive and widely diffused family, comprising species for the most part above the average size of Passerine birds, yet inferior to the Crows. They are in general social, feeding much on the ground; their legs and feet are robust, their gait stately, their plumage, though commonly of dark colours, is lustrous, with reflections of steel-blue, purple, or green. 21. STURNUS (Starling). Bill straight, forming an elongated cone, depressed broad at the base, bluntish; upper mandible broader than the lower; nostrils at the base of the bill, partly closed by an arched membrane; first primary very short, second longest. _Page 54_ 22. PASTOR (Rose-coloured Starling). Bill slightly arched, forming an elongated cone, compressed; nostrils at the base of the bill partly covered by a feathery membrane; wings with the first primary very short, second and third longest. _Page 56_ FAMILY CORVIDA (CROWS) Bill powerful, more or less compressed at the sides; upper mandible more or less arched to the point without distinct notch; gape nearly straight; nostrils concealed by stiff bristles. Hallux very strong, but with its claw not as long as the middle toe and claw. Birds of firm and compact structure; their wings long, pointed, and powerful; their feet and claws robust. In disposition bold and daring, extremely sagacious, easily tamed and made familiar. Most of them have the power of imitating various sounds, but their natural voices are harsh. They evince a remarkable propensity for thieving and hiding brilliant and gaudy substances. In appetite they are omnivorous. 23. PYRRHA"CORAX (Chough). Bill longer than the head, rather slender, arched from the base, and pointed; nostrils oval; feet strong, tarsus longer than the middle toe; wings rounded, first primary short, fourth and fifth the longest; tail even at the end. _Page 56_ 24. NUCAFRAGA (Nutcracker). Bill about as long as the head, straight, conical, the base dilated, and dividing the feathers of the forehead; mandibles blunt, the upper somewhat the longer; nostrils round; wings rather long and pointed; first primary shorter than the second and third, fourth longest; tail nearly even. _Page 57_ 25. GARRULUS (Jay). Bill shorter than the head, conical; both mandibles equally curved, the upper notched near the tip; crown feathers forming a crest; wings rounded, fourth, fifth, and sixth primaries nearly equal, and the longest; tarsus longer than the middle toe; tail moderate, slightly rounded. _Page 58_ 26. PICA (Magpie). Bill, nostrils, and feet as in Corvus; wings short and rounded; tail long, graduated. _Page 59_ 27. CORVUS (Raven, Crows, Rook). Bill not longer than the head, strong, straight at the base, cutting at the edges, and curved towards the point; nostrils oval; feet strong, tarsus longer than the middle toe; wings pointed, first primary moderate, second and third shorter than the fourth, which is the longest; tail moderate, rounded. _Page 61_ FAMILY LANIIDA (SHRIKES) Bill strong, arched, and hooked, the upper mandible strongly notched after the manner of the FALCONIDA; claws adapted for capturing insects and even small birds. Sylvan. Young barred below. 28. LANIUS (Shrike, or Butcher Bird). Bill short, flattened vertically (compressed) at the sides; gape furnished with bristly feathers directed forwards; wings with the first three primaries graduated, the third and fourth being the longest. _Page 73_ FAMILY AMPELIDA (CHATTERERS) Bill stoat, approaching, especially in the form of the lower mandible, to that of the CorvidA|; the upper mandible is however somewhat broad at the base, flat, with the upper edge more or less angular and ridged, and the tip distinctly notched. Feet usually stout, with the outer toe united to the middle one as far as, or beyond, the first joint. They feed principally on berries and other soft fruits, occasionally also on insects. 29. AMPELIS (Waxwing). Bill as above; nostrils oval, concealed by small feathers directed forwards; wings long and pointed; first and second primaries longest, some of the secondaries and tertials terminating in wax-like prolongations of their shafts. _Page 76_ FAMILY MUSCICAPIDA (FLYCATCHERS) Bill broad, flattened horizontally (depressed), slightly toothed and adapted for catching small flying insects; nostrils more or less covered by bristly hairs; feet generally feeble. 30. MUSCACAPA (Flycatcher). Bill moderate, somewhat triangular, depressed at the base, compressed towards the tip, which is slightly curved downwards; gape armed with stiff bristles; tarsus equal to or longer than the middle toe; side toes of equal length; wings with the first primary very short, and the third and fourth longest. _Page 77_ FAMILY HIRUNDINIDA (SWALLOWS AND MARTINS) Beak short but broad, and more or less flattened horizontally; mouth very deeply cleft; feet small and weak; wings with nine visible primaries, long and powerful, and thus adapted for sustaining a protracted flight in pursuit of winged insects, which form the sole sustenance of these birds; tail long and usually forked; plumage close, smooth, often burnished with a metallic gloss. Migratory birds, spending the summer in temperate climates, but being impatient of cold, withdrawing in winter to equatorial regions. 31. HIRUNDO (Swallow). Bill short, depressed, very wide at base, commissure straight. Nostrils basal, oval, partly closed by membrane. Tail deeply forked, of twelve feathers, the outermost greatly elongated and abruptly attenuated. Legs and feet slender and bare; toes rather long, three in front, one behind; claws moderate. _Page 80_ 32. CHELADON (Martin). Bill short, depressed, very wide at base, commissure slightly decurved. Nostrils basal, oval, partly closed by membrane and opening laterally. Tail forked, of twelve feathers, outermost not abruptly attenuated. Legs and feet slender, closely feathered above; toes rather long, three in front, one behind; claws moderate, sharp. _Page 83_ 33. CA"TILE (Sand-martin). Bill short, depressed, very wide at base, commissure straight. Nostrils, wings and tail as in Chelidon. Legs and feet slender, and bare except for tuft of feathers on tarsus just above hallux; toes moderate, three in front, one behind; claws strong. _Page 84_ FAMILY FRINGILLIDA (FINCHES) Remarkable for the shortness, thickness, and powerful structure of the bill; the upper and lower mandibles are usually equally thick, and their height and breadth are nearly alike, so that the bill when closed presents the appearance of a short cone, divided in the middle by the gape. By its aid they break open the hard woody capsules and fruit-stones containing the seeds and kernels which form their chief food. At nesting-time many species live on insect larvA|, with which the young are almost exclusively fed. The wings have nine visible primaries. This family is one of immense extent, consisting of relatively small birds. 34. LIGURINUS (Greenfinch). Bill compressed towards tip, with scarcely perceptible notch at point; nostrils basal, concealed by stiff feathers directed forwards; wings rather pointed, first quill obsolete, second, third and fourth nearly equal and longest. Tail rather short, slightly forked. Tarsus scutellate in front; toes moderate; claws arched and laterally grooved. _Page 86_ 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. CARDUASLIS (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. PARRHULA (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 MOTACILLIDA (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 ALAUDIDA (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. OTA"CORYS (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 PICARIA Opposed to the Passeres. The feet are relatively weaker and smaller. FAMILY CYPSELIDA (SWIFTS) Tail of ten feathers (swallows have twelve). Gape very wide. 49. CAPSELUS (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 CAPRIMULGIDA (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. CAPRIMAsLGUS (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 PICIDA (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 PICINA_ 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. GA%CINUS (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 IYNGINA_ 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 ALCEDINIDA (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. ALCA%DO (Kingfisher). Bill long, straight, quadrangular, sharp; wings short with the third primary the longest; tail very short. _Page 132_ FAMILY CORACIIDA (ROLLERS) Bill corvine in shape; culmen rounded; nostrils near base of upper mandible and hidden by bristly feathers; tail feathers twelve. 54. CORACIAS (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 MEROPIDA (BEE-EATERS) Bill long; culmen with sharply defined ridge; toes joined for part of length. 55. MASROPS (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 UPUPIDA (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 CUCULIDA (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. CAsCULUS (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 STRIGIDA _SUB-FAMILY STRIGINA_ 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 SYRNIINA_ 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 FALCONIDA Head covered with feathers, though sides of face are more or less bare. _SUB-FAMILY BUTEONINA_ 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 AQUILINA_ 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. HALIAA