THE TODID^E. 89 



A. Without an inner liranch at the lower extremity of the cervical portion of the inferior tract. 



a. T/ic spinal tract contains a space. 



1. Coracias. The representation of the pterylosis of Coracias yalbula (Plate IV, figs. 

 5 and G) agrees perfectly with that of Coracias bengalemis and Colaris gularis. All have a 

 slightly separated but densely feathered outer branch on the pectoral portion of the inferior 

 tract, from which a hook issues, running to the hypopteruin ; the whole inner part of the infe- 

 rior tract is sparsely feathered, as is also the upper pectoral region externally near the base of the 

 lateral branch. The spinal tract, which is furcate and strong between the shoulders, commences 

 at the rump-band with two long converging limbs which only unite at the caudal pit ; by the side 

 of it there are scattered contour-feathers, as far as the strong biserial lumbar tract. The oil-gland 

 is of an elongated oval form, without a conical tip. In all these species there are twenty-three 

 remiges, of which the first is abbreviated ; and the second, third and fourth are the longest. 



2. Merops. In its pterylosis this genus is intermediate between Coracias and Galbula. With 

 the latter it agrees in the narrow form of the tracts, and with the former in the want of the inner 

 branch at the lower part of the neck. The pectoral band of the inferior tract is somewhat 

 dilated and separated at the end ; in the middle of its outer side there are also some contour- 

 feathers which lead to the hypopteruin. The spinal tract is narrow and nearly interrupted at 

 the nape, but tolerably broad on the rest of the neck ; it is simple between the shoulders, or 

 only divided at the end of the shoulder-blades, and united by two rows of single feathers with 

 the rump-band, which is divided by the spinal space as far as the caudal pit. Twenty -two or 

 twenty-three remiges, of which the first is very short, the second the longest, and the third and 

 fourth very perceptibly abbreviated. Oil-gland with a conical tip. The species examined were 

 M. nubicus, M. philippinm, and M. viridis. 



ft. Spinal tract without a space. 



3. Prionites. The tracts narrow, as in Galbula and Merops ; but the outer branch of the 

 pectoral stem of the inferior tract is completely separated, and united to the hypopteruin not 

 merely by a uniserial hook composed of semiplumes, but by a second row of feathers originating 

 from its base. The inferior tract is also connected with the humeral tract immediately in front 

 of the base of the outer branch. The spinal tract runs from the occiput to the oil-gland in 

 the form of a simple band which becomes a little broader between the shoulders ; the oil-gland 

 is of an elongated oval form. Twenty-one remiges ; first four graduated ; fourth, fifth, and 

 sixth the longest, llectrices graduated ; the two middle ones in P, momota with elliptical apical 

 laminae to the vanes. 



4. Todus. Pterylosis exceedingly peculiar (Plate IV, figs. 9 and 10), especially the inferior 

 tract, which, as in the preceding, is furcate on the throat, and passes on to the breast as a simple 

 band on each side. This, however, then immediately divides into two broad, strongly feathered 

 branches, of which the outer and shorter one runs to the humerus, whilst the inner and broader 

 one descends along the margin of the furcula and crest of the sternum, to divide again a little 

 behind the middle of the breast. The broad outer branch thus produced stands off to a con- 



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