Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME I.
GENUS IV.--CULICIVORA, Swains. GNAT-CATCHER.
Bill of moderate length, depressed at the base, rapidly attenuated,
becoming very slender toward the end; upper mandible with the ridge distinct,
the tip extremely narrow and deflected, the edges overlapping, the notch
distinct, but very small; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length, the
ride narrowed toward the end, the edges inclinate, the tip acute. Nostrils
oblong, exposed. Head ovate; neck short; body slender. Feet of moderate
length, tarsus longer than the middle toe, extremely slender, with the upper
scutella indistinct; toes very small, extremely compressed; hind toe
proportionally very large; outer adherent at the base. Claws well arched,
extremely compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage very soft and blended.
Wings of moderate length, concave; the first quill about a third of the length
of the second, fourth longest, third and fifth little shorter. Tail long,
slender, much rounded.