CHAR. Bill very powerful, strong, and much compressed, the tip
abruptly hooked, deeply notched, and with a prominent tooth behind the
notch; both mandibles distinctly notched, the upper with a distinct
tooth behind, the lower with the point bent up. Tarsi longer than the
middle toe, strongly scutellate. Primaries ten; first primary half the
second, or shorter (occasionally wanting). Wings short, rounded; tail
long and much graduated. Sides of tarsi with the plates divided on the
outside.
Of this family only a single genus is known in North America.