BIRDS. 175 



formed by coalescence of the meso-coracoid (m. cr.) with the head of the bone. The epicoracoid 

 (e. cr.) is very large, totally unlike that of Alcedo, and converts the coracoid into a hatchet-shaped 

 bone. The furcula is U-shaped, has no inter-clavicle, and is only moderately thickened above by 

 the cartilaginous segments. The Sternum (fig. 16) is very instructive; its length is twice as 

 great as its breadth ; it has only one pair of large xiphoid notches, as in Suceros, Cuculus, and 

 Caprimulgus ; its coracoid grooves (cr. g.) are quite distinct, and its rostrum (r.) is well notched 

 off from the rounded angle of the large sternal keel. There are four costal condyles (c. c.) on 

 each side, and in front of these there is an almost erect, rounded costal process (c. p.) ; but the 

 peculiar character of the Sternum is this, namely, that almost half of it is in front of these costal 

 processes. The very large rostrum (r.) is bilobate (superior and inferior), and an arrested 

 transverse cleft, as in JBuccros albirostris, but larger, partly cuts this process off from the body of 

 the ento-sternum. 



Family" CORACIIN^E." 



Example. Cor arias yarrula, Linn . 

 i 



In the Roller ( Coracias garrula} the scapulae are acute and ensiform; the coracoids have a 

 large head ; a decurrent meso-coracoid plate ; and a sharp, outstanding epicoracoid spur. The 

 furcula is U-shaped, as in Leptosoma ; but it shows a more distinct rudiment of the inter-clavicle ; 

 above, the rami are thickened as in that type, and in Corythaix, having a clubbed end, enlarged 

 by the meso-scapular segment, and a thickened shoulder formed by the prse-coracoid segment. 

 The Sternum has the general outline of that of Cuculus canorus ; but there are four notches, as in 

 Alcedo, and the mesial plate is acuminate ; the intermediate bar, like the inner notch, is the 

 smallest ; and both the pairs of bars are pedate : the general outline of all the five processes is 

 lunate, much more so than in Alcedo. The keel is much like that of Leptosoma, having a more 

 curved lower outline, and a fuller development than in Alcedo ; but the rostrum, which is inferior, 

 is as well-grown as its counterpart in Cuculus. The costal processes are rounded, more so than 

 in Alcedo. 



Family" CAPRIMULGIN^]." 



Examples. Caprimulgus, Podargus, JEgotlieles, Nyctibius. 



In the typical Goatsucker (Caprimulgus, for instance), the scapula is ensiform, becoming 

 broad, then out-turned, and then pointed at its end ; the acromion is round and blunt. The 

 coracoid is of moderate length (see the figure of the Shoulder- and Breast-bones of C. stictomus 

 in Dr. Sclater's paper on this Family in the 'Proc. Zool. Soc.' for 1866, p. 120, fig. 6) ; it has a 

 thick head, a feeble meso-coracoid process, and a large, hooked epicoracoid process. The furcula 

 (see also op. cit., fig. G) is rather strong, U-shaped, has a flat oval inter-clavicle, a very distinct 

 pra3-coracoidal shoulder to each ramus, and a clubbed top to each formed by an equally distinct 

 meso-scapular segment. The Sternum (op. cit., fig. 6) is short and broad, becoming very wide 

 towards the end ; it has two large semi-oval notches, a pair of broad, oblique, external xiphoids, and 



