FAM. STRINGOPID&A 
BY T. SALVADORI 
HE type of this family is a very extraordinary bird which combines the characters 
of the Parrots with the appearance of an owl. The distinguishing points of the 
{amily are as follows : The sternum is incomplete, with only a rudimentary keel. 

\ ZF ¥ The orbital ring is complete. The bill is thick, swollen on the sides, with no 
eee underside of the hook provided with a file-like surface; gonys rounded with five ridges 
and four grooves. The nostrils are open in a naked cere, much swollen. The wing is short and 
rounded; fourth and fifth or even sixth primaries the longest; first nearly equal to the ninth. 
The tail is short, rounded, with the feathers acuminate. The tarsus is rather lone, covered 
with rounded scales; nails moderately long and stretched. The feathers are rather soft, those 
surrouning the eyes disposed in a kind of circle, as in the owls. 
Range. Only one genus confined to New Zealand. 
GENUS STRINGOPS GRAY 
Strigops Gray, Gen. Birds, Vol. 2, p. 426 (1845). 
Characters. The same as those of the family. 
Two species of this genus have been described, but probably one of them is based on an 
individual variety. 
a. Upper surface sap-green; largey . . . Se 5 E . S. HABROPTILUS. 
b. Upper surface bluish; smaller . . oo eee ae Sete Aaa teeta re TA cr S. GREY. 
