460 Mr. N. A. Vicons on the Natural Affinities 
ceeding family of Cuculide, the various and extensive genera of 
which are as yet but little understood, as far as regards their 
natural affinities. ‘The Linnean genus Cuculus, indeed, as at 
present constituted, forms an extremely artificial group. ‘There 
is much to be done with respect to these birds, and they would 
form an interesting subject for the researches of an ornithologist 
who might have leisure and opportunity to describe their living 
manners and economy. I shall only now observe with respect to 
external character, that some genera of the family are associated 
with the true Cuculus by their curved and slender bill; others, 
like Indicator, Vieill., have a shorter and stronger bill ; while 
Saurothera, Vieill., by its serrated bill evinces an approaching 
conformity to the Ramphastide ; and a considerable number, 
such as Centropus, Ill., Phænicophaus, Vieill., and Crotophaga; 
Linn., indicate the same aftinity by the gradual increase of the 
bill in length and size. The last-mentioned genus, it may also be 
added, bears a relation, through the medium of Scythrops, to the 
Hornbills ; some species of that family, and one more particu- 
larly lately discovered* in the interior of Africa, possessing, 
* The bird I allude to is in the possession of Mr. Leadbeater, of Brewer-street, who 
has kindly allowed me to give the following description of the species: 
Buceros, Linn. 
LEADBEATERI. B. niger, remigibus primoribus albis; regione ophthalmicá gutture- 
que nudis coccineis, ceruleo-variegatis; rostri dorso elevato, cultrato, compresso. 
Rostrum nigrum, dorso carinato, Crotophage rostro persimile. Capitis vertex, re- 
miges secundarie quinque interne, rectricesque intensè nigræ. Dorsum, collum, 
pectus, abdomen, remigesque secundariæ, quinque internis exceptis, fusco-nigræ : 
remiges primariæ albæ, maculis parvis nigris confertis ad medium pogonii externi 
conspersæ. Long. corporis, 3 ped. 74 unc.: rostri, ad frontem, 73 unc., ad ric- 
. tum, 8; altitudo, 23. Long. tarsi, 64: digiti medii ungue incluso, 31: hallucis 
ungue incluso, 24: unguis medii, $. 
Habitat in Africa interiori Septentrionali, 
In Mus. Dom. Leadbeateri. 
Oss. Hoc species, B. Abyssinico in ceteris valde affinis, rostri structurà omnino differt. 
though 
