356 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Fissirostral family Bucconidse. 



channelled in the interior^ and often bifid at the extremity. The 

 plumage is black and white^ varied with brown, and generally 

 with bars or spots upon the breast. In the first sections of the 

 genus the bill is excessively dilated laterally at the base ; in the 

 latter section in several species, on the other hand, much com- 

 pressed. 



In the next genus, Malacoptila, the gonys is nearly straight, 

 with a slight curve downwards at the extremity. The upper 

 mandible is gradually curved into a point over the under, and 

 has not the fierce hook observable in the former genus. I am 

 acquainted with eleven species of this genus : the additional one 

 here given (the inornata of Du Bus) may possibly be the same 

 as one of the others. The plumage is generally brown, more or 

 less striated with lighter shades, and frequently with a gular or 

 super-pectoral uniform patch. The rictal and mental bristles 

 are strong and largely developed, the latter forming a striking 

 character in several species. 



The third genus, Monasa, with four species at present known, 

 contains the largest birds in the family. The plumage is dull 

 lead-coloured or blackish, the bill bright red or yellow. The 

 upper and under mandibles are regularly curved downwai'ds. 

 The tail is much lengthened. The spiny processes at the carpal 

 joint, which are present, I believe, all through this family, are 

 principally noticeable (as being most developed) in the genus 

 Monasa. 



In the fourth and last genus, Chelidoptera, the wings are much 

 longer than in the preceding genera, and ai-e evidently formed 

 for rapid flight. The tail is quite short and nearly square. The 

 plumage is Monasa-\\ke, but relieved by a brown patch on the 

 belly. 



I may observe that I have worked into the present synopsis 

 all the synonyms I have been able to discover as having been ap- 

 plied to members of the present family, except one, to wit Capita 

 senilis, Tschudi, Av. Consp. 301, et Fauna Per. p. 259, founded 

 on Bucco senilis, Poppig, a MS. name in the Leipsic Museum. 

 As no description has ever been published of this species, the 

 name is of no authority, and need not be noticed. Indeed I 

 hardly know whether the bird referred to belongs to this family 

 or the Capitonida. 



Genus I. Bucco. 



A. Bucco, Linn. 



1. Bucco coLLARis, Lath. 



Bucco, Brisson, Orn. iv. p. 92. 



Bucco capensis, Linn. S. N. i. 168; Gm. S. N. i. 406. 



collaris, Lath. hid. Orn. i. 202; Vieill. Enc. Meth. p. 1420; Gray's 



Gen. p. 74 ; List of B. M. pt. 2. sect. 1. p. 47. 



