PTIL0G0NY8. 



411 





Tail longer than wings, somewhat fan-shaped, nearly even in type, the slight 

 emargiuation greater than the rouudiug (in cuudatus much graduated, with 

 central feathers prolonged). Feathers broad, the outer weba very narrow. 

 Wings pointed, although the outer feathers are muuh graduated ; 1st quill 

 not half the 2d, which is shorter, the 3d rather longer, than secondaries ; 5th 

 aud 6th longest ; 1st, 2d, and 3d attenuated and acuminate at end. 



Bill short, much depressed, hooked and notched at both tips ; gape wide 

 aud deep ; commissure straight ; culmen for terminal half and short gonys 

 considerably curved. Nostrils oval, bordered above and behind by mem- 

 brane, the frontal feathers reaching not quite to the posterior margin ; rictal 

 bristles distinct, but moderate- 

 Legs weak ; tarsi very short, less than middle toe and claw, with strongly 

 marked rough scutelliB (seven) anteriorly, one or two divisions on the lower 

 part of sides. Outer toe rather longer than inner, and reaching just beyond 

 base of middle cla' . Hind claw considerably longer than middle. Basal 

 joint of middle toe adherent for almost its whole length to one and a half 

 joints of 0. ter ; internally for basal half of length to basal half of first joint 

 of inner. 



P. caudatus, very similar otherwise, diflFers remarkably in structure of tail, 

 which is cuneate and nearly one and a half times the length of the wing; 

 llie two central feathers greatly prolonged and t;ipei ing gently to a rounded 

 narrow tip, the other feathers graduate from these to the outeimost. 



Plilogonys differs from Myiadestes in more compact plumage ; 

 a shorter, broader, thicker bill ; the frontal feathers nn'.ch less 

 bristly ; the nostrils broader aud more exposed, with a greater ex- 

 unt of naked membrane behind them. The legs are shorter, but 

 stouter ; tarsus much shorter and roughly scutellate, not smooth ; the 

 claws thicker and more curved ; the hinder considerably larger than 

 the middle. Nearly the whole extent of basal joint of middle toe 

 is adherent externally, not the half only ; internally adherent for 

 half to the basal half of first joint of inner, which in Ahjiadeates are 

 divided to base. The wing is much more graduated; the third quill 

 having the relationship to the longer ones that the second has in 

 Mijiadedes. The tail lacks the deep eniargination of Myiadedes ; 

 the lateral feathers are of equal width to near the end, or even 

 wider, instead of becoming narrower. i'" . . V 



There has been much diversity among writers in the spelling of 

 the name of this genus, Mr. Swainson, its author, having himself 

 written it very differently. His first rendering of the name, how- 

 ever — Ptilofjonys — is more nearly correct than the subsequent ones, 

 as eompouuded of nrtxov and yow, or feathered knee, iu allusion to 

 the tuft of cottony feathers on the tibiae. 



The two known species of Plilogonys are quite similar in colora- 

 tion, but ditt'er markedly in shape of tail, which in one is even, in 

 the other greatly cuneate. The characters are as follows : — 





«*.;■;■ ■■ >«.- 



