MEROPTD^, 213 



more decomposed than in our bird. A third species from Africa is 

 given in Bonaparte's Conspectus, N. gidaris, from Africa ; but that 

 is now separated as Meropiscus ; and the same ornithologist has a 

 Meropogon for stent, from Celebes, which, says he, combines the 

 short wings of Melittophagus, the tail of Merops, and the bill and 

 gular hackles of Nyctiornis. 



The Motmots, Momotid^e, are an American group, with the aspect 

 of the Bee-eaters ; the bill, however, is stronger; the edges serrated; 

 the tongue is barbed ; the tarsus is longer ; and the feet very syn- 

 dactyle. They have short wings ; live on fruit and insects ; and nestle 

 in holes in sand-hills. One species, at least, has a trace of the 

 elongated breast-plumes of Nyctiornis. 



Fam. CoRACiAD^, Rollers. 



Bill moderate or rather long, strong, broad at the base, compressed 

 towards the tip, which is hooked, and som.etimes slightly notched ; 

 the gape is large, with or without rictal bristles ; tarsus short, stout ; 

 feet moderate ; toes free, or slightly syndactyle; wings moderate, or 

 long, broad ; tail variable, sometimes short and even, at other times 

 with very elongated outer tail-feathers. 



The Rollers are birds of rather large size, something resembling 

 Jays in their general appearance, and are universally called 

 Jays by Europeans in India. They are adorned, especially on the 

 wings, with rich blue colors ; are noisy and somewhat familiar 

 birds ; take their prey either on the ground, or on the wing ; and 

 usually breed in holes in trees. They are natives of Africa, Asia, and 

 Australia ; one species migrating to Europe to breed. The Rollers 

 were formerly classed with the Jays, and are still kept among that 

 group in Horsfield's Catalogue. Swainson, I believe, was the first 

 author who pointed out their true affinities ; and they are now, all 

 but universally, allowed to belong to the fissirostral group, near the 

 Bee-eaters. The sternum is doubly emarginate ; the stomach 

 membranous ; and they have moderately developed c(Kca. 



Gen. CORACIAS, Lin. 



Char. — Bill large, moderately thick, lengthened, straight, strong, 

 somewhat broad at the base, compressed towards the tip ; cidraeu 



