Bill short, or of moderate length, rather strong, straight, compressed
toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal outline a little convex
and declinate, the tip small, rather acute, the notches small; lower
mandible with the angle rather short, of moderate width, the dorsal
line straight, the sides convex, the tip acute. Head oblong,
compressed, of moderate size; neck rather short; body moderate. Eyes
of moderate size. External aperture of ear large and roundish. Feet of
moderate strength; tarsus compressed, with seven anterior scutella;
toes rather strong, compressed; first, second, and fourth, nearly
equal, third much longer, and adherent to the fourth at the base;
claws rather long, arched, compressed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage rather blended. Bristles small. Wings of moderate length,
broad, rounded; the first quill very small, third and fourth longest.
Tail of twelve feathers, varying in length. Tongue sagittate, and
papillate at the base, slender, tapering, its tip slit. Œsophagus
rather narrow, without crop; proventriculus oblong; stomach a gizzard
of moderate strength, its lateral and lower muscles distinct; the
epithelium dense and rugous; intestine of moderate length; cœca
very small, cylindrical. Trachea simple, with four pairs of inferior
laryngeal muscles.
GENUS I. CINCLUS, Bechst. DIPPER.
Bill rather short, slender, slightly ascending, much compressed toward
the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line straight until toward the
end, the ridge rounded, the sides convex, the edges somewhat
inflected, with an obscure notch close to the narrow deflected tip;
lower mandible slightly bent upwards, the angle medial and very
narrow, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the tip narrow
and rather acute. Nostrils linear, direct, exposed. General form
short, full, and compact. Head oblong, compressed. Legs strong; tarsus
of moderate length, compressed, covered anteriorly with a long
undivided plate and four inferior scutella; toes rather large and
strong; claws arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, that of the
hind toe considerably larger. Plumage ordinary, rather blended.
Bristles obsolete. Wings rather short, convex, rounded. Tail short,
even.