303 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



tongue is narrow, somewhat elongated, a little fleshy, and cleft at 

 tip. The muscular coat of the stomach is tolerably developed, 

 though without constituting a true gizzard ; the intestinal canal 

 short and wide (not exceeding the length of the body from bill to 

 vent), and without cceca. The sternum is somewhat narrow, 

 widening posteriorly, with an entire hinder margin, and the keel 

 enormously developed and continued forward (less prominently in 

 CollocaUa) to terminate in an obtuse point ; in the yoimg of all, 

 and in the weaker species permanent)}', the ossification of the 

 sternum is, however, incomplete about the middle — on either side 

 of the ridge, and also in the thin portion of the ridge or keel 

 itself; the coracoids are short; the furcula also short and widely 

 arched, with a small mesial appendage projecting downward; the 

 humeri are singularly short, with their tuberosities prominent in 

 the extreme degree ; the radius and ulna are about twice the 

 length of the humerus ; and the remaining (or wrist and hand) 

 bones of the wing together exceed in length the humerus added 

 to the radius. The legs (more especially in Cijpselus) are very 

 muscular, with the tarsi short, and the grasp of the toes with 

 their sharp claws firm and clutching. The eye is tolerably large, 

 and has its sclerotica strengthened by a circlet of about fourteen 

 ossicles. In size the birds of this family vary from the bulk of a 

 Thrush down to that of the generality of the larger Humming- 

 birds ; which latter, indeed, the CollocaUa (or edible-nest- 

 producers) not a little resemble in general aspect, excepting of 

 course that of the bill, and in the lack of the resplendent gem-like 

 colours which adorn the Trochilidce generally, but which are 

 wanting in the largest species of that family [ratagona gigas). 



Unlike the Caprimulg'ulm, or at least the genus Caprhnulgus 

 and its immediate affines, the species of which descend much to 

 the ground, the Cypsclida never do so ; and if b}' accident they 

 fall, some at least of them are unable to rise from a plane surface, 

 but must creep or clamber till they get the elevation necessary 

 to permit of the free action of their long wings * They are among 

 the most aiirial of birds, even copulating on the wing; out early 

 and late, and throughout the day ; and all the species would 



* The Indian Cyjyselus affinis rises on the wing with jierfect facility from 

 the smootliest surlace ; and we once broiiglit down a British Swift {C. ajnis) 

 which lay on the ground till our near approach, when it rose and flew off as 

 if unhurt. 



