INTRODUCTION. Xxix 
CEpEeMIA, Flemng.— Pill swollen or tuberculated at the base, large, elevated, 
and strong; the tip much depressed, and terminated by a large flat nail, 
rounded and slightly deflexed at the extremity ; lamellz broad, strong, and 
widely set. Nostrils lateral, elevated, oval, placed near the middle of the 
bill. Wings rather short, pointed. Tail short, graduated, acute. Legs far 
back ; tarsus short; three toes in front and one behind ; the outer toe as 
long as the middle one and much longer than the tarsus ; hind toe witha 
large lobed membrane. Sexes differ in plumage (p. 465). 
MeERGus, L2vne@us.—Bill about as long or longer than the head, straight, slender, 
rather pointed, the base large, forming an elongated and almost cylindrical 
cone ; point of the upper mandible curved and, with the horny nail, forming 
a hook ; edges of both mandibles furnished with saw-like teeth, the points 
directed backwards Nostrils lateral, longitudinally elliptic. Wings moder- 
ate, the first and second quills nearly equal. Legs short, placed rather far 
back ; three toes in front webbed, hind toe with a pendant lobe. Sexes 
differ in plumage (p. 471). 
Order COLUMBAs. 
Family COLUMBID. 
CoLumsa, Zinneus.— Bill moderate, straight at the base, compressed, the point 
deflexed. Base of the upper mandible covered with a soft skin, in which 
the nostrils are pierced. Wings long, broad, rather pointed; the second 
quill-feather longest. Tail of twelve feathers, nearly even. Tarsus short, 
anteriorly scutellated ; three toes in front, entirely divided from one another, 
one toe behind (p. 479). 
TurtTuR, Se/bv.- Bill rather slender, the tip of the upper mandible gently 
deflexed, that of the lower scarcely exhibiting the appearance of an angle ; 
base of the upper mandible covered with two soft, tumid, bare swellings 
over the nostrils. Tail of twelve feathers, rather long and ccnsiderably 
rounded or graduated. Wings rather long and pointed, the first quill a little 
shorter than the second, which is the longest. Tarsus rather shorter than the 
middle toe ; inner toe longer than the outer (p. 485). 
Order PTEROCLETES. 
Family PTEROCLID. 
SyrrHaPtes, ///iger.—Bill small, gradually decurved from the base to the point. 
Nostrils basal, hidden in the feathers. Wings very long, pointed, the first 
primary the longest. Tail of sixteen feathers, cuneate, the two central 
rectrices long and tapering. Tarsus very short and strong, covered with 
downy feathers to the three anterior toes, which are united hy a membrane 
as far as the claws; hind toe obsolete ; soles rugose ; claws broad and obtuse 
(p. 488). 
