Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME IV.
FAMILY XXII.--AMPELINAE. CHATTERERS.
Bill short, depressed, rather weak, triangular when viewed from above,
compressed at the end, its upper outline arched, the gap-line nearly straight,
the notches very small, the tip very small and declinate. Nostrils elliptical,
partially concealed by reversed bristly feathers. Head ovate; neck short; body
moderate or full. Feet short; tarsus short, rather stout, compressed; toes
rather small. Claws rather long, arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage
generally blended and glossy. Wings of moderate length, broad. Tail short or
of moderate length. Roof of upper mandible rather concave, with three
longitudinal ridges; tongue horny, deeply slit; oesophagus very wide, dilated
about the middle; stomach small, elliptical, moderately muscular; intestine of
moderate length and very wide; coeca very small. Trachea simple, with four
pairs of very small inferior laryngeal muscles.