324 AVES. 



We should approximate to the Bee-eaters certain long-tailed 

 birds, with metallic-coloured plumage, hitherto classed with Pro- 

 merops, but whose two external toes are almost as extensively 

 united as those of the former.(l) 



There appears to be none of this genus in America, where they 

 are represented in some respects by the 



Prionites, Illig. 



The Motmots have their feet and carriage, but differ in the beak 

 which is stronger, the edges of both mandibles being serrated, and in 

 their tongue, which, like that of the Toucans, is barbed. They are 

 beautiful birds, as large as the Magpiej the plumage on the head, 

 loose as in the Jays, and a long cuneiform tailj the stems of the two 

 middle quills being stripped of their barbs for a short distance near 

 the extremities, gives to the whole a singular appearance. They fly 

 badly, are solitary, build in holes, feed on insects, and even on small 

 birds.(2) 



Alcedo, Lin. 



The Kingfishers have shorter feet than the Bee-eaters, and the 

 beak much longer, which is straight, angular, and pointed; the 

 tongue and tail are very short. There are two emarginations in their 

 sternum, as in those of the Bee-eaters and the Rollers. They feed 

 on small fish which they capture by precipitating themselves into 

 the water from some branch where they have remained perched, 

 watching for their prey. Their stomach is a membranous sac. They 

 nestle like Bee-eaters in holes on the banks of streams, and are found 

 in both continents. The European species, 



^. ispida; Enl. 77^ Naum. 144. The size of a Finch; greenish 



garrulus, fasciculatus, carunculatus, of Lath, appear to us to be Philedons; we have 

 even ascertained this to be the fact witli respect to most of them; the M. cine- 

 reus, Seb. XXXI, 10, is along tailed Clnnyris or Soui-manga. 



(1) 'I'he Promerops moqueur, Vaill. Prom. 1, 2, and 4 {Upupa erythrorhynchos. 

 Lath.). The young bird lias a black beak. The Prom, namaquois, Vaill. 5 and 6, 

 or Falcin. cyanoinclas, Vieill. 



(2) I'he Blue-headed Motmot, or the Iloutou of Guyana, Guira, guaynumhi of 

 the Brazilians, according to Marcgi-ave {Ramphastos momota, Gm.); or Pr. bras'di- 

 cnsis, Illig. Enl. 370; Vaill. Ois. de Pai*. &c. I, pi. xxxvii and xsxviii; the Motmot 

 a iete rousse or of Peru; Motmot domlcy, "N'aill. loc. cit. pi. xxxix, and Vieill. Gal. 

 pi. cxc; Pr. Marcii, Spix, 9; the Tutre of Paraguay, Azz. No. 52, are, to say the 

 least, closely allied to it. 



Motmot, according to Fernandez, is the Mexican name of the first. Prionitis, 

 from srg/w, saw, a name given by llliger. M. Vieillot has changed it into Baui- 



PHOXUS. 



