AVES. 61 



behind, entirely divided : wings long, and acuminated ; first 

 quill shorter than the second, which is longest. 



47. MEROPS Bill longer than the head, triangular 



at the base, slightly curved, carinated above, sharp-pointed : 

 nostrils basal, oval, open : toes three before and one behind ; 

 the outer toe connected with the middle one as far as the 

 second joint, the middle with the inner one as far as the 

 first : wings long, and pointed ; first quill very short, the 

 second longest. 



(HALCYONID.E.) 



48. ALCEDO Bill very long, straight, quadran- 

 gular, thick and pointed : nostrils basal, pierced obliquely, 

 linear, almost closed by a naked membrane : toes three be- 

 fore and one behind ; the outer toe connected with the 

 middle one as far as the second joint, the middle with the 

 inner one as far as the first : wings moderate ; the second 

 and third quills equal and longest : tail short. 



* * Bill short and weak : gape extremely large. 

 (HIRUNDINID^E.) 



49. HIRUNDO Bill short, and much depressed; 



upper mandible carinated, deflected at the tip; gape ex- 

 tending nearly to the eyes : toes three before and one be- 

 hind ; the outer toe connected with the middle one as far 

 as the first joint : wings very long ; first quill longest : tail 

 forked. 



50. CYPSELUS. Bill very short, triangular, de- 

 pressed at the base; the upper mandible deflected at the 

 tip ; gape extending to the posterior angle of the eye : toes 

 divided to their origin ; all directed forwards : wings ex- 

 tremely long ; first quill a little shorter than the second : 

 tail forked. 



(CAPRIMULGID.E.) 



51. CAPRIMULGUS Bill very short, rather curved, 



broad and depressed at the base; the upper mandible de- 



