64 KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



fact, it is not unreasonable to suppose that the remaining web, either in its 

 superior or inferior part, would show some signs of wear, and at least have a 

 rough appearance — that the shaft itself would show the same wear, or would 

 be polished ; and should none of these signs be evident, we would expect to 

 find young birds with entire feathers. To the contrarj', however, the nest is 

 not generally so constructed as to bring the naked shaft upon the edge of the 

 nest, but is frequently smaller, and even the shorter feathers of the tail rest 

 as well upon its rim, and the tail is not kept in motion except when the bird 

 is aware of some danger or the presence of man. Neither does the remain- 

 ing web ever have a roughed appearance, but is invariably smooth, though 

 often unevenly trimmed. The naked shaft, which is grooved beneath, never 

 shows any signs of mutilation; and young birds which have never mated 

 have the plumes more exquisitely formed, and the shafts more evenly trim- 

 med, than the adult birds of two and three years. 



Still others say that these birds formerly flew very awkwardly, turning 

 many somersaults in the air, on account of the tail being so long and broad 

 that it caught so much air as to overbalance the bird; that in this condition 

 it was found by the mischievous little king-bird, which caught the tail of the 

 motmot either to assist him or to play some prank, as boys will sometimes 

 do with a clumsy playfellow; that in the act of so doing the web 

 slipped off from the motmot's tail, and the latter finding himself free fiew 

 away with such ease and grace that immediately the other motmots adopted 

 the new fashion and all trimmed their tails, and that from that day to this the 

 motmot flies as well as other birds! 



This is a peculiar combination of accident, reason and pride which it 

 would scarcely need argument to disprove. 



After over two years of careful observation, I am quite sure as to koxv this 

 mutilation is effected. My observations I therefore give as briefly as possi- 

 ble. 



The Momotidie all live beneath the surface of the earth; some live in the 

 deserted dens of the armadillo and other burrowing quadrupeds; some live 

 in caves, some in the crevices of the rocks and cliffs, while others take up 

 their abode nearer the homes of men, living in wells and senotes. 



Their food consists of small frogs, worms, and such other things as their 

 subterranean abodes furnish them, with a few insects which they catch while 

 on the wing. They are seldom seen in bad weather, early in the morning, in 

 the heat of the day, and never at night. This exclusion from light, and ex- 

 posure to perpetual moisture, gives to them a loose, pale flesh, and almost 

 colorless blood, and soft muscles, thus rendering them very lazy and stupid, 

 though they sometimes retreat very quickly when the hunter tries to get a 

 shot at them. 



The nests are made in some secluded coruer of their underground homes. 

 They consist of sticks and mud, or grass and mud, and are seldom large 

 enough for the bare shafts of the tail feathers to rest upon their rim. Nor 



