The characters of this subfamily have already been detailed. The
American sections may be defined as follows, although whether entitled
to rank as genera may be questioned:—
COMMON CHARACTERS. Tail decidedly shorter than the wings; less
than half the whole length of bird; simply emarginate and
rounded. Hind claw lengthened; only slightly curved. Feathers of
back with paler edges; breast streaked with dusky. Nest on the
ground; eggs finely mottled so as almost to be uniform dark brown
(in North American species).
_a. Wings much pointed, and lengthened._
Point of wing formed by four outer primaries, of which the
fourth sometimes a little shorter than the third. Hind toe and
claw as long as middle, shorter than tarsus, the claw alone
usually a little longer than the toe itself, and slightly
curved; inner toe and claw longer than the outer; outstretched
toes falling short of the tip of tail; hind toe and claw
shorter than tarsus … _Anthus_.
Point of wings formed by four outer primaries, the first
longest, or as long as others. Legs stout, the outstretched
toes reaching almost to tip of tail. Hind toe and claw longer
than tarsus, the claw very long, but equal to the toe proper …
_Neocorys_.
_b. Wings short, rounded._
Point of wings formed by four outer primaries of nearly equal
length … _Notiocorys_.[32]
Point of wings formed by five outer primaries, the first
shorter than third … _Pediocorys_.[33]