IXTRODUCTIOX. XXI 



hairs directed forwards. Wings long, of ten primaries ; the first very short, 

 the second and third longest. Tail rather long, of twelve feathers, the 

 central pair elongated and pointed. Tibise bare below ; tarsi short, toes 

 small, three before, one behind, the middle united to the outer toe as far 

 as the second joint, and to the inner as far as the first joint (p. 273). 



Family UPUPID.^. 



Upupa, Linncvtis. — Bill long, slender, slightly arched, sharp and much com- 

 pressed. Nostrils basal, oval, partly concealed by feathers. Tongue very 

 short and heart-shaped. Head with an erectile crest of oblong feathers set 

 regularly in pairs for the whole length. Wings moderately long, 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 longest, but the sixth 

 nearly equal to them. Tail of ten feathers, almost square at the end. Feet 

 with the tarsi scutellated behind as well as before ; three toes before, one 

 behind, the outer and middle united as far as the first joint ; claws but 

 slightly curved (p. 275). 



Family CUCULID.-E. 



CucuLUS, Linnaiis. — 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 first short, the third longest, the 

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

 pairs graduated, the middle two nearly equal. Tarsi short, feathered for 

 nearly half their length ; toes two before, two behind (p. 277). 



COCCYSTES, Gloger. — Bill moderate, compressed towards the tip. culmen de- 

 curved, cutting edge smooth ; lower mandible slightly decurved beneath ; 

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

 Head crested. Wings moderate, with ten primaries ; the first short, the 

 third lungest, 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. 

 Tarsi strong and long, bare behind, slightly feathered in front above ; 

 toes two before, two behind (p. 279). 



Order STRIGES. 



Family STRIGID.E. 



Strix, Z/««(r«j.— Bill straight at the base, decurved only towards the point; 

 cutting margin 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, lai^e, 

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

 the shafts of small feathers. 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 only furnished on the upper surface with a few bristle- 

 like feathers ; hind toe reversible ; claws long and grooved underneath, that 

 of the middle toe serrated on the inner edge. Head smooth, not furnished 

 with tufts (p. 281). 



