INTRODUCTION. XIX 



Otocorys, Bonaparte. — Bill rather short, subconic ; upper mandible slightly 

 arched. Head — in the adult male — with a tuft of long, erectile feathers on 

 either side of the occiput. Wings long ; the first primary infinitesimal, the 

 second the longest, the fourth decidedly shorter ; outer secondaries short and 

 emarginate at the tip. Tail rather long, slightly forked. Tarsus shorter 

 than the middle toe ; claws moderate and very slightly curved, that of the 

 hind toe being comparatively straight (p. 259). 



Order PICARIiE. 



Family C Y P S E L I D .E. 



Cypselus, Illiger. — Bill very short, wide, triangular at its base and depressed ; 

 culmen and commissure much decurved ; gape extending behind the eyes. 

 Nostrils longitudinal, the edges raised and furnished with small feathers. 

 Wings with ten curved primaries, very long and pointed, the first shorter 

 than the second, but a little longer than the third. Tail of ten feathers, 

 somewhat deeply forked. Tarsus very short, feathered in front ; toes four, 

 all ordinarily directed forwards, the middle and outer with three phalanges 

 only ; claws short, large, and much curved (p. 261). 



ACANTHYLLIS, Boie. — Wings very long, narrow and pointed. Tail short,- even ; 

 the feathers terminated by long sharp spines. Tarsus bare in front and not 

 scutellated ; one toe directed backwards. Otherwise much as in preceding 

 genus (p. 265). 



Family CAPRIMULGID.^. 



Cai'RIMULGUS, Linnatis. — Bill very short, flexible, broad at the base, much 

 compressed at the point ; gape very wide ; upper mandible decurved at the 

 tip, and beset on each side with a row of moveable bristles directed forward ; 

 lower mandible upturned at the tip, so as to meet the upper at the point, 

 leaving an open space further back. Nostrils basal, with a prominent 

 membranaceous rim, clothed with very small feathers. Wings long, with 

 ten primaries, the second the longest. Tail of ten feathers, long and 

 slightly rounded. Tarsus short, feathered in front for two-thirds of its 

 length ; feet with three toes before and one behind, the anterior united as far 

 as the first joint, the posterior turned inwards at right angles, inner and outer 

 toes equal, the latter with but four phalanges ; claws short, except that of 

 the middle toe, which is long and pectinated on the inner edge (p. 267). 



Family PICID.E. 

 Subfamily Iyngin^. 



Iynx, Liniuviis. — Bill shorter than the head, straight, nearly conical, sharp at 

 the tip. Nostrils basal, linear, partly closed by a membrane. Tongue 

 capable of protrusion, the tip horny and smooth. Wings moderate ; the first 

 primary minute, the third or fourth the longest. Tail rounded, of twelve 

 feathers, the outer pair minute, with straight shafts and webs of ordinary 

 character. Tarsus strong, slightly feathered above in front ; toes, two before 

 and two behind, the fourth — which is turned backwards — about as long as 

 the third ; a peculiar heel-pad ; claws hooked, grooved and sharp (p. 271). 



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