AVES. 321 



and compressed on the sides to the tip, gape furnished usually with bristles 

 or hairs. Wings long and pointed. Tail ample, sometimes long ; tarsi 

 short, partly covered, sometimes bare. Size small. 



In this sub-family we arrange the American night hawks (Chordeiles), 

 of which one species only inhabits the United States, although several 

 others are found in Mexico and South America. 



The long-shafted night jar of Africa (Macrodipterix longipennis), which 

 belongs to this sub-family, is remarkable for having a plume, which is 

 sometimes five times the length of its body growing out of each wing. 

 This gives the bird, especially when flying, a very curious appearance, and 

 its use is entirely unknown. Several species of another genus (Podager) 

 are found in South America. 



Fam. 3. CoRAciADiE, OR RoLLERs. Bill morc or less lengthened and 

 broad at base, compressed, with the tip hooked ; wings long and powerful ; 

 tail rather short, but with the two external feathers frequently much 

 lengthened ; tarsi and feet short. 



A family composed of a few birds strictly confined to the Old World. 

 They are all remarkable for beauty of plumage and elegance of form. 



Sub- fam. 1. CoraciancB, or Rollers. Bill moderate, straight, upper man- 

 dible slightly longer; nostrils basal, oblique, linear. Wings moderate, 

 pointed ; tail long, wide, with the lateral feathers frequently lengthened ; 

 tarsi short ; gape wide. Size moderate. All the species with gay colored 

 plumage. 



This is a small sub-family of beautiful birds which are found in Africa, 

 Asia, and the larger Pacific islands. Their plumage is almost invariably 

 of brilliant colors, and usually contains more or less green or blue of the 

 richest hue. One species occasionally visits Europe, Coracias garrula 

 {pi. 99, fig. 3), where it is much sought after by collectors as one of the 

 few bright plumaged European species. The most common species in 

 collections is the Bengal roller {C. bengalensis), skins of which are brought 

 abundantly from India, where it is common. The food of the rollers 

 consists of both fruits and insects, the latter of which they catch after the 

 manner of the flycatchers. 



Sub-fam. 2. Todince, or Todies. Bill lengthened, much flattened, slightly 

 compi'essed towards the tip, which is rounded ; nostrils lateral with the 

 opening exposed. Wings short and rounded ; tail moderate, emarginated. 

 Tarsi long, slender ; toes moderate. Size small. 



A sub-family consisting of a few small birds found in tropical America. 

 They are represented as being dull and stupid little birds, living upon 

 grasshoppers and other insects, and partaking much of the habits of some 

 of the flycatchers. The most common species is the Todus viridis, which 

 is a beautiful green bird with a scarlet throat. It is said to construct 'a 

 curious bag-shaped nest, composed of wool and with a narrow entrance. 



Sub-fam. 3. EurylaimincB, or Boatbills. Bill large and extremely broad 

 at base, curved and gradually compressed to the tip ; nostrils lateral, 

 exposed ; wings moderate ; tail moderate ; tarsi short. Size small. 



India is the country of this sub-family. It contains a few species only 



525 



