Subclass Coraciilornies. 203 



ance of the character appears to warrant such a course), we 

 may divide it into two orders, which may be diagnosed as 

 follows : — 



1 Mimogypes. — No lateral bare tracts on the neck ; front 

 plantar leading to hallux ; basipterygoid processes present ; 

 to which may be added, ambiens muscle present. 



This order contains the Cathartidse of the New World. 

 I have examined the feet of several species and find that 

 the flexor perforans digitorum always leads to the 1st, 2nd, 

 and 3rd digits, whilst the flexor longus hallucis sometimes 

 leads to the 3rd and 4th, and sometimes to the 2nd, 3rd, 

 and 4th digits, but never to the hallux. 



The Scansores having been disposed of amongst the Pico- 

 Passeres, and the Coccyges having been elevated to the rank 

 of an order, the Picarise, as thus restricted, appear to form 

 a natural group, which may be diagnosed as follows : — 



Picari^e. — Hallux always present, and connected with the 

 flexor perforans digitorum, and not with the flexor longus 

 hallucis : no ambiens muscle. 



This order may be divided into three suborders, which 

 may be diagnosed as follows : — 



Halcyones. — Front plantar leading to hallux ; well-de- 

 fined lateral bare tracts on the neck ; spinal feather-tract 

 not forked on the back : to which may be added, palate 

 desmognathous ; vomer not ossified ; basipterygoid processes 

 absent. 



CoracIjE. — Front plantar leading to hallux ; well-defined 

 lateral bare tracts on the neck ; spinal feather-tract forked 

 on the upper back ; oil-gland nude or absent. 



Bucerotes. — Front plantar leading to hallux ; no lateral 

 bare tracts on the neck ; no basipterygoid processes ; to 

 which may be added, episternal processes perforated to receive 

 the feet of the coracoids. 



It is possible that the Halcyones and the Coracise ought 

 not to be divided upon their spinal feather-tracts, but upon 

 the condition of their young at birth. The Caprimulgidae 

 are born covered with down. It is possible that this may 

 also be the case with the Podargidse and the Steatornithidae. 



