688 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON LEPTOSOMA DISCOLOR. [Nov. 28, 
lucid appearance, and (as far as I can tell, the example not being 
quite perfect) for being without any traces of laceration at its ex- 
Fig. 8. 
Tongue of Leptosoma. 
tremity. It is much lengthened, and of nearly uniform thickness 
throughout ; but the sides are bent upwards, leaving a deep medial 
channel, which grows shallower towards the base, where it terminates 
in two simple lateral projections without any traces of papille. 
In anote to his ‘System der Pterylographie’ (p. 131), Nitzsch has 
stated that in two examples of Leptosoma examined by him the outer 
toe “ appeared to have four phalanges,” instead of five, the normal 
number. This, however, is not the case: Leptosoma does not di- 
verge from the ordinary rule among birds in this respect. The 
structure of its feet may be described as follows :-— 
The tarsus is rather longer than the second digit, measuring 1-2 in. 
in length. It is covered in front with a series of ten or twelve irre- 
gular oblong scutes, which are divided in the upper and lower por- 
tion of the tarsus, but entire in the middle. On the outer side is a 
series of smaller similar scutes. Behind, the tarsus is covered with 
numerous small irregular hexagonal scutes, which extend over the 
lower surface of the planta. 
The first or posterior digit measures 0°63 in. in length, including 
the nail, and is placed behind in its usual position. The second and 
third digits are placed directly in front, and measure 0°63 and 1°5 in. 
respectively (with the nail). They show no appearance of syndac- 
tylism, being separated nearly to the base. The fourth digit mea- 
sures 1*1] in. in length, and, as I have already stated, has the normal 
number of five phalanges—the first two being very short, each mea- 
suring only about 0°5 in. in length. It is articulated not in a directly 
reversed position, as among the more typical Zygodactyle, but late- 
rally, rather more behind than in front. It will therefore be seen 
that Leptosoma, even in this respect, diverges widely from the Cucu- 
lide, Bucconide, &c., in which the fourth digit is placed in a directly 
reversed position. 
So much, then, I am at present able to say concerning the pecu- 
liarities of this remarkable type. In order to refer Leptosoma deci- 
