Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithologi/. 3b5 



Type. C. coronatus. 



C. cristatus ; niger ; tectricibus, cauduy anoque Jiavis ; 

 rostro elongatoy albescente. 



In this form are united the characters of Cassicus and Xan- 

 thornus. To tlie first it is more particularly connected by the 

 construction of the nostrils, which appear as if perforated in the 

 solid substance of the bill, by the comparative shortness of the 

 feet, and by the thickness and curvature of the nails ', both of 

 which indicate the arboriai habits of the bird ; the narrowed 

 front of the bill accords with the latter group. I suspect this 

 type will not stand alone ; yet, for the present, it may be looked 

 upon rather as a sub-genus. 



Family Picida. 



Sub-family Piciana. 



ASTHENURUS. 



Rostrum rectum^ compressum, acutum, 



Cauda gradatOy debilis. 



Ala et pedes ut in genere Pico. 



Bill straight, compressed, acute. Tail graduated, soft. Wings 



and feet as in Picus. 

 Type. Picas minutus. Linn. 



The internal structure of this curious little bird, will decide 

 whether it forms a passage from Picus to the Barbets, or is more 

 closely allied to the Certhiadce, by means of Yunx. 



COLAPTES. 



Rostrum mediocre, validum, comprestum, culmine leviter arcuato, 

 Ala, pedes, caudaque ut in genere Pico. 



Bill moderate, strong, compressed ; culmen slightly carved. 



Wings, tail, and/cei as in Picus. 

 Type. Picus auratus. Wilson, 1. PI. 2. f. 1. 



Vol. III. z 



