88 PTERYLOGRAPHY. 



dilatation of equal breadth upon the breast, not separated, but truncated at the end, and connected 

 by a uniserial hook with the hypopterum. The stiff bristles of the gape are true steins, which 

 bear a row of short fine barbs at the base immediately above the quills. Index finger, as well 

 as the pollex, with a claw, which, however, is often extremely minute. Tarsi with scutes in 

 front, warty behind, touching the ground, at least during repose. The genus appears to be 

 plantigrade throughout. Claw of the middle toe denticulated within ; the outer toe only four- 

 jointed. The species examined were C. europceus, C. lonyipennis (remarkable for its peculiarly 

 formed, elongated ninth primary), C. forcipatus, and C.psalurus TEMM., PL Col.., 157, 158, both 

 with furcate tails, but the last clearly and specifically distinguishable from the preceding very 

 similar species by the elongation of the two middle tail-feathers. 



jEgotheles nova hollandite VIGORS ('Linn. Trans.' xv, 1, 179), which I have examined 

 only in a mounted state, and therefore can say nothing about its pterylosis, agrees very closely 

 in the structure of its feet with the Podargi, and has also a five-jointed outer toe, no comb on 

 the claw of the middle toe, and the toes longer than the tarsus. 



Podargus f/if/as. Pterylosis exactly as in Caprimidgus, but with the rump-band shorter, 

 and the two diverging limbs running from it to the scapular portion longer, and composed of 

 two rows of feathers. Twenty-one remiges, the first as long as the eighth, the second as the 

 sixth, and the third, fourth, and fifth the longest. 



Nyctornis eethereus, NEU WIED (Plate IV, figs. 3 and 4). Spinal tract like that of Cypselus, 

 uninterrupted, with a large lanceolate spinal space, but weaker from the ends of the shoulder- 

 blades, and therefore apparently interrupted at this point. The posterior weaker portion, 

 extending from the ends of the shoulder-blades to the oil-gland, is dilated and sparsely feathered 

 from the commencement on the outside, and consists internally of three rows of strong feathers 

 which enclose the long spinal space reaching as far as the oil-gland. Inferior tract divided from 

 the throat, emitting a narrow, curved, inner branch, which extends upon the breast, at the lower 

 extremity of the neck. Behind this branch it is so diminished that it becomes nearly interrupted, 

 as in Gypaetos, to the inferior tract of which it has a great resemblance ; it then suddenly becomes 

 very broad upon the breast, more densely feathered externally, sparsely feathered and gradually 

 dying out internally, but still passing upon the belly as a broad band, which, however, at last 

 becomes narrow, and is composed of only two rows of feathers. In this bird, also, a hook 

 originates from the end of the pectoral band, and runs to the hypopterum. Apparently twenty 

 re'miges, the first shorter than the fifth, the third the longest. Tarsi remarkably short, 

 shorter even than in Caprimulgus ; outer toe with five joints ; middle claw not pectinated, but 

 dilated on the inner margin. 



3. TODID^E. 



(CuculincB calopterce NITSZCH.) 



Contour-feathers with a slight aftershaft, at least in Coracias and Prionites ; twelve rectrices, 

 a naked oil-gland, often conical at the apex, and ten primaries. In other respects, the pterylosis 

 is variable, and often peculiar. 



