1848 



THE PIC A RI AN BIRDS 



almost perpendicularly, as it were by a jump, to a great height, and descending 

 again in a curve nearly to the top of the trees, by almost closing its wings, at 

 the same time uttering a whistle so like that of an eagle that it was doubted 



MADAGASCAR KTROUMBO. 



(One-fourth natural size.) 



for a long time by us whether the bird that performed this wonderful freak was not 

 a raptorial. However, after having watched it several times with our glasses, we 

 satisfied ourselves that it was this species. ' ' 



THE FROGMOUTHS 

 Family PODARGID^E 



These curious birds have been usually associated with the nightjars, to which 

 they approximate in their wide mouths and mottled plumage, although they differ 

 in the more important feature of the palate, being constructed on the desmog- 

 nathous instead of on the schizognathous type. Accordingly, it seems most 

 probable that their true position is between the kiroumbos and the oilbirds (to be 

 mentioned next). From the former they are distinguished by the absence of an 

 oil gland, and the presence of only ten feathers in the tail; while from the latter 

 they differ by the absence of the articular surfaces on the rostrum of the hinder part 



