NO. 2251. THE ANATOMY OF NYCTIBIUS—WETMORE. 583 



the posterior elongation of the lateral processes, the basal margin 

 appears deeply incised, in this respect exceeding any of the other 

 genera examined save Nyctidromus. The arrangement of the lateral 

 papillary processes is not bilaterally symmetrical. 



In a specimen of Nyctidromus albicollis the tongue is very similar 

 to that just described and figured in Phalaenoptilus. Strong back- 

 ward directed papillae are found on the lateral margins posterior to 

 the middle and the arrangement of the papillae on the upper surface 

 is somewhat different than in Phalaenoptilus. A row of strong 

 spicules, four or five in number is developed on either side, and at 

 the base the number of papillae is reduced to two or three. A slender 

 papillus arising on the inside, at the tongue base, is about two-thirds 

 as long as the postero-lateral process. The margins of the latter are 

 smooth, and the processes are elongate as in Phalaenoptilus. The 

 tongue measures 10.5 mm. long by 2.5 mm. broad at the base. 



The tongue of Caprimulgus europaeus has been described briefly 

 by William MacGillivray ^ who notes (p. 634) that it "is ex- 

 tremely small, slender, slightly papillate at base, having also some 

 papillae on its upper surface, tapering to an obtuse point." In a 

 specimen at hand (Cat. No. 19359, U.S.N.M.) the tongue resembles 

 that of Phalaenoptilus nitidus, but has the postero-lateral spines 

 much less elongate. The tongue in this specimen measures 10 mm. 

 long by 3 mm. broad at the base. In outline the lateral margins are 

 nearly straight, so that in profile the tongue is like an elongate 

 triangle. Pointed papillae projecting backward begin on the mar- 

 gins at a point anterior to the middle and continue to the base. The 

 last in the series toward the base of the tongue are the largest. 

 The postero-lateral spines are moderately elongate and there are no 

 other projections from the posterior margin. Small scattered coni- 

 cal papillae cover the posterior half of the upper surface. Toward 

 the base there is one row on either side of the center composed, re- 

 spectively, of two and three papillae each that point in toward the 

 center. 



The tongue of Setochalcis vocifera has likewise been described by 

 MacGillivray 2 who notes that it is "slender, tapering to a point, 

 very thin, with two long-pointed papillae at the base, and numerous 

 small papillae on its upper surface." In specimens examined by the 

 writer the tongue in this species also resembles that described in 

 Phalaenoptilus nitidus. In form it is slender and elongate with a 

 triangular outline. One specimen seen (Cat. No. 223661, U.S.N.M.) 

 is 10.5 mm. long by 3 mm. broad at the base. Spinose processes 

 appear on the margin about one-half of the distance back from the 

 tip; these increase slightly in size toward the posterior part of the 



1 History of BriUsh Birds, London, vol. 3, 1840, pp. 630 and 634. 



2 Tn A.udubon, J. J., Ornitholigical Biography, Edinburgh, 1839, vol. 5, p. 306. 



