^"Is^'^J General Notes. 9 1 



4. Neo7norphhicu. However the doubt just expressed regarding Coccyzinci, 

 be finally resolved, there is no question that we must recognize for the 

 group of which Geococcyx is a shining example a subfamily apart from 

 Coccyzitite (or CucultncB) on the one hand, and from CrotophagincB on the 

 other. This is the group of American Ground Cuckoos which I have for 

 many years been calling Saurotherince ; but it now appears that the genus 

 Saurothera does not belong to it, and that its proper name is Neomorphince, 

 derived from the name of that genus {Neomorphus Gloger, 1827) which 

 has priority over all the others which belong to this subfamily. The 

 NeomorphincB are a well-marked if not yet precisely limited group, much 

 more nearly related to the Crotophagi?icB than to any other. Thus, they 

 possess the accessory femorocaudal muscle, which is present in none of 

 the CuculiricE (or Coccygincs) ; and the ventral pteryla of each side is 

 furcate. In these respects the Neomorp/iince, so characteristic of America, 

 agree with the Old World Centropodin(e but differ therefrom notably in 

 some other characters. The NeomorphincB agree with the Crotopkagince 

 in most respects, but differ in their pseudobronchial instead of truly 

 bronchial syringes, and many other particulars. The Neomorphince are 

 (Jround Cuckoos, with a certain gallinaceous suggestiveness, being more 

 or less pheasant-like in external appearance ; tail of 10 rectrices, as usual 

 in the family (not 8, as in Crotopkagince'), long and graduated, with 

 elongated upper coverts (approaching Diplopterus and Drotnococcyx in 

 this respect); wings short, rounded, convex, with elongate inner second- 

 aries (not long, flat, and pointed, as in Cticidince or Coccyzitice) ; feet large 

 and strong, in adaptation to terrestrial habits (as in Centropus,&\.c., hwt 

 without any peculiarity of the hind claw). With the possible or probable 

 exception of Carpococcyx, which is brought under Neomorphince by 

 Shelley, though it inhabits Borneo, and is therefore unintelligible as a 

 member of this subfamily, if it be really such, the present subfamily is 

 exclusively American. The genera which certainly compose it are 

 Neomorphus, Geococcyx, and Morococcyx ; very likely Diplopterus and 

 Dromococcyx might without violence be brought under the same head. 

 But until we know more of the structural characters of the two last named 

 genera, as well as of Saurothera, Piaya, and Hyetornis, it will hardly be 

 safe to pronounce upon these Neotropical forms. 



The times may not yet be ripe enough to do away with all the uncertainty 

 attending the division of Cuculidce ; but what I regard as established is, 

 that the A. O. U. List contains representatives of at least three subfamilies : 

 (i) Crotophagin.e. (2) Neomorphin.«. (3) Cuculin.e. The latter may 

 or may not be warrantably divisible into CoccyzincB for the American 

 genera Coccyzus, etc., and CnculincB proper for our waif from Asia. — 

 Elliott Coles, Washington, D. C. 



Broad-tailed Hummingbird in California. — I take pleasure in recording 

 the capture of Selasphorus platycercus, $ ad., at Oakland, Cal., on May 8, 

 1890, the first taken in this State. On the same date an adult male of 



