SYNOPSIS 

 FAMILIARUM ET GENERUM. 



SUB FAM. I. PLECTROPTERIN.E. 



Est. Char. Rostrum magnum, ad apicem augustatum, et ungue magna instructs. Plumes 

 inter oculos rostrumque carent. Tibia parte quarta denudatae. Pedes validi, digitis unguibus 

 magnis instructis. 



An*at. Char. Trachea aliquando convoluta maribus sed non in sterno penetrans. Caca 

 mediocria. 



Ext. Char. Bill large, narrowed at the apex, and armed with a large claw. The space 

 between the eyes and bill devoid of feathers. Thighs denuded for a quarter of their length. Feet 

 strong, armed with sharp claws. 



Anat. Char. Trachea sometimes convoluted in the males, but not penetrating the 

 sternum. Caca moderate. 



Affinities. This curious group appears to lead directly to the grallatorial birds, but with 

 the flamingo in particular it coincides to a great degree in the intestinal anatomy, while its skeleton, 

 at least the fragments of it Ave have inspected, is that of a true goose, that of the flamingo approaching 

 most intimately the Ardeida, which in our opinion (although in some particulars its intestinal 

 anatomy appears to accord with the Anatidce) entirely precludes it from being admitted into the 

 order. 



