INTRODUCTION. xix 
OrTocorys, Bonaparte.—Bill rather short, subconic; upper mandible slightly 
arched. Head—in the adult male—with a tuft of long, erectile feathers on 
either side of the occiput. Wings long; the first primary infinitesimal, the 
second the longest, the fourth decidedly shorter ; outer secondaries short and 
emarginate at the tip. Tail rather long, slightly forked. Tarsus shorter 
than the middle toe; claws moderate and very slightly curved, that of the 
hind toe being comparatively straight (p. 259). 
Order PICARIA. 
Family CYPSELID&. 
CyYPsELus, Liliger.—Bill very short, wide, triangular at its base and depressed ; 
culmen and commissure much decurved ; gape extending behind the eyes. 
Nostrils longitudinal, the edges raised and furnished with small feathers. 
Wings with ten curved primaries, very long and pointed, the first shorter 
than the second, but a little longer than the third. Tail of ten feathers, 
somewhat deeply forked. Tarsus very short, feathered in front; toes four, 
all ordinarily directed forwards, the middle and outer with three phalanges 
only ; claws short, large, and much curved (p. 261). 
ACANTHYLLIs, Boze.—Wings very long, narrow and pointed. Tail short, even ; 
the feathers terminated by long sharp spines. Tarsus bare in front and not 
scutellated ; one toe directed backwards. Otherwise much as in preceding 
genus (p. 265). 
Family CAPRIMULGID. 
CapRIMULGUS, Zinneus.—Bill very short, flexible, broad at the base, much 
compressed at the point ; gape very wide ; upper mandible decurved at the 
tip, and beset on each side with a row of moveable bristles directed forward ; 
lower mandible upturned at the tip, so as to meet the upper at the point, 
leaving an open space further back. Nostrils basal, with a prominent 
membranaceous rim, clothed with very small feathers. Wings long, with 
ten primaries, the second the longest. Tail of ten feathers, long and 
slightly rounded. Tarsus short, feathered in front for two-thirds of its 
length ; feet with three toes before and one behind, the anterior united as far 
as the first joint, the posterior turned inwards at right angles, inner and outer 
toes equal, the latter with but four phalanges; claws short, except that of 
the middle toe, which is long and pectinated on the inner edge (p. 267). 
Family PICID. 
Subfamily Iyncrva. 
Iynx, Zzneus.—Bill shorter than the head, straight, nearly conical, sharp at 
the tip. Nostrils basal, linear, partly closed by a membrane. Tongue 
capable of protrusion, the tip horny and smooth. Wings moderate ; the first 
primary minute, the third or fourth the longest. Tail rounded, of twelve 
feathers, the outer pair minute, with straight shafts and webs of ordinary 
character. Tarsus strong, slightly feathered above in front ; toes, two before 
and two behind, the fourth—which is turned backwards—about as long as 
the third ; a peculiar heel-pad ; claws hooked, grooved and sharp (p, 271). 
b2 
