INTRODUCTION. XXI 



regularly in pairs for the whole length. Wings moderately long and very 

 broad, with ten primaries ; the first about half as long as the second, which 

 is nearly an inch shorter than the third, the fourth or fifth the longest. Tail of 

 ten feathers, almost square at the end. Tarsus scutellated behind as well as 

 in front ; three toes before and one behind, the outer and middle united as 

 far as the first joint (p. 285). 



Family CUCUI.ID.E. 



CucuLUS, LinncTus. — Bill short and sub-cylindrical, culmen somewhat decurved, 

 upper mandible slightly notched near the tip, lower mandible nearly straight 

 beneath ; gape wide. Nostrils basal, circular, with a prominent membrana- 

 ceous rim. Wings with ten primaries ; the third longest, the innermost 

 three shorter than the first. Tail of ten feathers ; the outer three pairs 

 graduated, the middle two nearly equal. Tarsus short and feathered for 

 nearly half the length ; toes, two before and two behind (p. 2S7). 



CoccYSTES, Glogcr. — Bill moderate, compressed towards the tip, culmen decurved, 

 cutting edges smooth ; lower mandible slightly decurved beneath ; gape 

 moderate. Nostrils basal, oval, the upper part closed by a membrane. 

 Head crested. Wings with ten primaries ; the third longest, but the fourth 

 nearly its equal, the ninth as long as — and the tenth shorter than — the first. 

 Tail of ten feathers, long and graduated. Tarsus strong and long, bare 

 behind, slightly feathered above in front ; toes, two before and two behind 

 (p. 289). 



Order STRIDES. 



Family STRIGID.F. 



Strix, Linmeies. — Bill straight at the base, decurved only towards the point ; 

 cutting-margins of the upper mandible nearly straight, under mandible 

 notched. Nostrils oval, oblique. Facial disk large and complete, narrowing 

 rapidly below the eyes towards the beak. Auditory opening square, large, 

 and furnished with a large and nearly rectangular operculum, stiffened with 

 the shafts of small feathers. Head smooth, not furnished with tufts. Wings 

 long and ample ; the first and third quills equal and nearly as long as the 

 second, which is the longest. Tail short. Legs long and slender, clothed 

 with downy feathers to the origin of the toes, which are furnished only on 

 the upper surface with a few bristle-like feathers ; hind toe reversible ; claws 

 long and grooved underneath, that of the middle toe pectinated on the inner 

 edge (p. 291). 



Asio, Brisson. — Bill decurved from the base ; cere large ; under mandible 

 notched. Nostrils oval, oblique. Facial disk complete. Conch of the ear 

 extremely large, with a semicircular operculum running the whole length in 

 front, and a raised margin behind ; auditory openings asymmetrical. Wings 

 long, the second quill generally the longest. Legs and toes feathered to the 

 claws. Head furnished with two tufts, more or less elongated (p. 293). 



Syrnium, Savigiiy. — Bill decurved from the base. Nostrils large. Facial disk 

 large and complete ; auditory openings large and symmetrical, furnished in 

 front with a large crescentic operculum. Wings short and rounded ; the first 

 quill very short, the fourth the longest. Tail long, concave beneath. Legs 

 and toes feathered. Head large, round and without tufts (p. 297). 



