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.