•2082 Thk Zoologist— April, 1870. 



nearly vertical, the base of the upper mandible with an elevated horny 

 ridge, entirely surronnding it; the basal moiety of the upper mandible 

 with its sides perfectly smooth, formiDg an elongated oblique triangle 

 wilh two curved sides; terminal moiety with three or four deep very 

 oblique curved grooves, from commissure to culraen, their convexity 

 looking forwards. Under mandible without a basal ridge, the basal 

 moiety smooth, the terminal with grooves, in continuation of those of 

 the upper mandible. Culmen commencing on a level with the fore- 

 head, thence regularly declinate, very convex, with unbroken curve, 

 its ridge sharp, the tip acutely pointed, overhanging. Rictus perfectly 

 straight, except at the end; the angle of the mouth occupied by a 

 circular callosity of membranous tissue; gonys ascending, slightly 

 sinuate, the keel sharp, terminating posteriorly in a thin, elongated, 

 almost hamular process. Nostrils placed just over the commissure, 

 linear, long, reaching nearly across the base of the smooth triangular 

 space of the upper mandible. No nasal fossae ; both eyelids furnished 

 with prominent callosities, in one species developing into a slender 

 acute process. No crest; a peculiar furrow in the plumage behind 

 the eyes, as in Lomvia. Wings o( ordinary length and shape. Tail 

 contained two and ihrce-hflhs times in the wing; the lateral feathers 

 slightly graduated, the central pair shorter than the next ones. Tarsus 

 very short, only equal to the inner toe without its claw; stout, scarcely 

 compressed, covered wilh minute reticulations, except for a short 

 space in front, which is scutellate. Outer toe about equal to the 

 middle; its claw shorter than that of the middle ; middle claw much 

 dilated on the inner edge; middle and outer claws slightly curved, 

 not very acute, upright ; inner claw very large, greatly curved, 

 forming a semicircle, exceedingly acute, usually lying horizontal, not 

 upright.* 



* The peculiar position, no less llian unusual sliupe of llie inner claw of this 

 genus is a strou^lj-markeil tbaracier, not found in any other except Lunda. The 

 great curvature and extreme sharpness of ibe claw could not be maintained were it 

 vertically placed like the other claws, as it would l)e worn down by constant impaction 

 against the rocks which the birds biibitually alight upon. But in the U!<ual attitudes 

 and movements of the birds it lies perfectly flat on its side, and is so preserved intact. 

 Tlie birds make great use of this claw in digging their burrows or in fighting ; and the 

 preservation of the instrument for these purposes is evidently the ullerinr design of the 

 peculiar direction of its axis. The birds have the power of bringing it, on occasion 

 for use, into a vertical position. These facts, mayhap, are not generally known. 

 See Pi. A. N. S.. Piiil i., I8!il, p. 2.54, 



