PODARGIDJE. G29 



Family PODARGIDvE. 



(By ERNST HARTERT.) 



The Podargidcv resemble the Cajirimulgidcc, and especially the 

 Nyctihiina', in their general appearance, but they differ entirely in 

 the structure of the palate, which is desmognathous, in the absence 

 of the oil-gland and of the basipterygoid processes, and also in the 

 manner of their nidification. The typical forms have a very broad 

 and flat bill. The number of rectrices is always ten. The middle 

 toe is not pectinated, the number of phalanges in the outer toe is 

 not reduced. The steruum has two pairs of posterior notches. 



In their habits they are nocturnal, and their food consists of 

 insects. They build a nest of twigs, or lay their eggs, which are 

 white as a rule, in hollow trees. 



The j'oung, when hatched, are helpless, but thickly covered with 

 down in the genera Podargus and Batracliostomus, while those of 

 ^gotlieles seem to be unknown. 



Range. Erom the Eastern Himalayas throughout the hill-tracts 

 south of the Brahmaputra, Burmah, the Malay Peninsula, Malay 

 Archipelago, Southern Philippines, throughout Papuasia and Aus- 

 tralia to Tasmania. 



Synopsis of the Subfamilies. 



A. Nostrils a narrow slit near the base of 



the bill, protected by a membrane and 



hidden b}- plumes and feathers; large 



powder-down patches on each side of the 



rump ; tarsus shorter than middle toe ; 



fourth and fifth or fifth and sixth primaries [p. G29. 



longest I. PODARGIN^, 



B. Nostrils situated near the tip of the bill, 



obvious and open ; bunches of elongated 

 erect loral bristles with long lateral fila- 

 ments ; no distinct powder-down patches ; 



tarsus longer than middle toe ; third and [p. 64'>. 



fourth quills longest II. jEGOTHELINjE, 



Subfamily I. PODARGIN^. 



Key to tlie Genera. 



a. Rectrices pointed, the central pair much 



longer than the adjoining pair 1. Podargus, p. 630. 



b. Rectrices rounded at the tips, central pair [p. 636. 



a trifle longer than the adjoining pair. . 2. Bateachostomus, 



