196 Mr. Vicors’s and Dr. HonsrrErp's Description of the 
also are short and feeble, and the toes weak and irregular; the 
middle toe, however, is furnished with a serrated nail, which 
seems in some measure to compensate for the general deficiency 
of the member, the serration being apparently intended, as has 
been observed in a former volume of our **'T'ransactions," for 
the purposes of seizure*. The present genus Ægotheles evidently 
exhibits a deviation from these typical characters. The wings 
_ lose the superior powers of flight displayed in the true Capri- 
mulgus, and instead of being long and acuminated become 
short and rounded; the bill and legs assume somewhat of the 
length and strength usually attached to these parts; while as 
the latter members regain their general powers, the serration of 
the middle unguis, which accompanied the weaker conformation, 
entirely disappears. The rictal bristles also partially lose their 
strength and regularity of disposition ; and here, as wellas in the 
succeeding group of Podargus, seem to be transferred to the 
front or base of the bill. : 
The distinction between Ægotheles and the true Caprimulgus 
is thus sufficiently evident. From M. Cuvier's genus Podargus 
the former group also differs in its general comparatively weaker 
conformation, holding in this respect an intermediate place 
between Caprimulgus and Podargus. The bill is more depressed 
than in Podargus, and more generally widened towards the 
apex: the shape and the disposition of the nares also, as well as 
the structure of the quill-feathers, is different. The farsi are 
weaker and more compressed, and at the same time compara- 
tively more elongated ; and the toes are nearly even, while in 
Podargus the middle toe is considerably longer than the rest. 
We have hitherto met with but one species belonging to this 
form which seems confined to New Holland. 
* Vol. xiv. p. 407. 
1. Nov x 
