N. GYLDENSTOLPE, HEEL-PADS IN CERTAIN BIRDS. 11 



do apparently not move much about in the nests, to judge 

 from the comparatively slight development of the heel-pads. 



Coracias lorti Shelley. 



In a specimen collected in British East Africa on the 

 8th of February 1912 the tubercles on the heel-pads are 

 almost circular and quite smooth. The total length of the 

 pad is about 9 mm and it extends higher up on the tibia 

 than in the Upupidce, Meropidce and Älcedinidce. 



Fam. Alcedinidae. 

 Halcyoii sanctus Vig. & Horsf. 



Specimen examined: 1 $ ^^/i 1911. N. W. Australia. 



In this specimen there is a fairly well-developed pad 

 about 8,2 mm in length, btit the dermal papillae are almost 

 worn off and are only visible as pentagonal scars. The spe- 

 cimen is almost fullgrown, but the frontal feathers, the inner 

 secondaries and the wing coverts are all edged with sandy 

 buff. The collar on the breast is clearly visible, which, 

 together with the other above-mentioned characters, are all 

 signs of immaturity. 



Halcyon chloris chloris Bodd. 



Even in a specimen of this species, though evidently 

 somewhat older than the specimen of H. sanctus Vig. & HoRsr. 

 examined, there is a well-developed pad, the length of which 

 is 9 mm. At the lowest part of the pad the tubercles are 

 on the point of being shed. The dermal papillse do not only 

 cover the hind part of the heel, but extend some distance 

 on the sides too. Here the tubercles are larger and almost 

 quadrangular, while those on the middle part are of a pen- 

 tagonal shape, but devoid of any sharp points. As a rule 

 the papilla? seem to have been placed in rows, each row 

 consisting of 4 — 5 tubercles. 



