BIRDS OF NORTH AND MIDDLE AMERICA. 451 



distinctly serrate for a greater or less extent of their middle portion, 

 sometimes for whole length, except basally; tip of maxilla distinctly 

 decurved, but maxillary tomium without notch; gonys much less 

 than twice as long as mandibular rami. Nostril exposed, large, 

 obliquely broadly oval, m anterior end of nasal fossa, or (in genus 

 Electron) relatively much smaller and nearly circular. No post- 

 nasal bristles but rictal bristles distinct, those of the malar apex 

 strongly developed, the chin also, sometimes, with recurved bristles; 

 head completely feathered, the feathers of the auricular region 

 (sometimes also those of superciliary region and middle line of 

 throat elongated; usually a small tuft of elongated black feathers 

 in middle of foreneck or upper chest. Wing short, much rounded, 

 the fifth, sixth, and seventh, or sixth and seventh, primaries longest, 

 ninth shorter than fourth (often shorter than second), the tenth 

 (outermost)" a little less to decidedly more than two- thirds as long 

 as ninth. Tail variable as to relative length (a little shorter than 

 wing to nearly twice as long), excessively graduated, the middle pair 

 of rectrices much longer than the next, and often with the webs 

 interrupted or denuded subterminally, producing a spatulate or 

 racquet-shaped tip, all the rectrices with tip broadly rounded; 

 rectrices usually 10 (12 in Momotus only). Tarsus nearly as long 

 as middle toe with claw to decidedly longer, shorter than culmen, 

 distinctly and regularly scutellate anteriorly, the plantar scutella 

 variable (one to three rows, or irregular) ; outer toe nearly as long as 

 middle toe, united to the latter as far as its penultimate articulation; 

 inner toe much shorter, reaching (without claw) only to penultimate 

 articulation of middle toe, united to the latter for entire length of its 

 first phalanx; hallux decidedly shorter than inner toe; soles of toes 

 broad and flattened, the surface distinctly granulated; claws mod- 

 erate in size and curvature, the middle one with inner edge expanded 

 but not pectinated. Coloration mostly green above, often with 

 blue on pileum, but oftener with the latter rufescent; auricular tufts 

 and tuft on lower foreneck black or blue and black. 



The Motmots are most nearly related to the Todies (Family 

 Todidie), from which they differ externally in their much greater 

 size, relatively longer and excessively graduated tail, distinctly 

 curved bill, relatively much shorter and distinctly scutellate tareus, 

 and very different coloration, the prevailing colors being plain olive- 

 green, or olive-green and rusty, varied, usually, with blue and black 

 markings on the head or chest, or both, the under parts never party 

 red nor white, as in the Todies. 



They are forest bii'ds of solitary habits, seldom more than a pair 

 being found together. ]\Iuch of their time is spent perchmg stupidly 



a Although the Momotidse are said to possess 11 primaries, I have not been able to 

 find more than 10 in any of the 7 genera. 



