*~ INTRODUCTION. Xx 
regularly in pairs for the whole length. Wings moderately long and very 
broad, with ten primaries ; the first about half as long as the second, which 
is nearly an inch shorter than the third, the fourth or fifth the longest. Tail of 
ten feathers, almost square at the end. Tarsus scutellated behind as well as 
in front ; three toes before and one behind, the outer and middle united as 
far as the first joint (p. 285). 
Family CUCULIDA. 
CucuLus, Lé2zn@us.—Bill short and sub-cylindrical, culmen somewhat decurved, 
upper mandible slightly notched near the tip, lower mandible nearly straight 
beneath ; gape wide. Nostrils basal, circular, with a prominent membrana- 
ceous rim. Wings with ten primaries; the third longest, the innermost 
three shorter than the first. Tail of ten feathers; the outer three pairs 
graduated, the middle two nearly equal. Tarsus short and feathered for 
nearly half the length ; toes, two before and two behind (p. 287). 
CoccystTEs, G/oger.—Bill moderate, compressed towards the tip, culmen decurved, 
cutting edges smooth; lower mandible slightly decurved beneath; gape 
moderate. Nostrils basal, oval, the upper part closed by a membrane. 
Head crested. Wings with ten primaries ; the third longest, but the fourth 
nearly its equal, the ninth as long as—and the tenth shorter than—the first. 
Tail of ten feathers, long and graduated. Tarsus strong and long, bare 
behind, slightly feathered above in front ; toes, two before and two behind 
(p. 289). 
Order STRIGES. 
Family STRIGIDZ. 
STRix, Lznne@us.—Bill straight at the base, decurved only towards the point ; 
cutting-margins of the upper mandible nearly straight, under mandible 
notched. Nostrils oval, oblique. Facial disk large and complete, narrowing 
rapidly below the eyes towards the beak. Auditory opening square, large, 
and furnished with a large and nearly rectangular operculum, stiffened with 
the shafts of small feathers. Head smooth, not furnished with tufts. Wings 
long and ample ; the first and third quills equal and nearly as long as the 
second, which is the longest. Tail short. Legs long and slender, clothed 
with downy feathers to the origin of the toes, which are furnished only on 
the upper surface with a few bristle-like feathers ; hind toe reversible ; claws 
long and grooved underneath, that of the middle toe pectinated on the inner 
edge (p. 291). 
As10, Srzsson.—Bill decurved from the base; cere large; under mandible 
notched. Nostrils oval, oblique. Facial disk complete. Conch of the ear 
extremely large, with a semicircular operculum running the whole length in 
front, and a raised margin behind ; auditory openings asymmetrical. Wings 
long, the second quill generally the longest. Legs and toes feathered to the 
claws. Head furnished with two tufts, more or less elongated (p. 293). 
SyRNIUM, Savzgizy.—Bill decurved from the base. Nostrils large. Facial disk 
large and complete ; auditory openings large and symmetrical, furnished in 
front with a large crescentic operculum. Wings short and rounded ; the first 
quill very short, the fourth the longest. Tail long, concave beneath. Legs 
and toes feathered. Head large, round and without tufts (p. 297). 
