ATTICORA. 305 



ATTICORA, BoiE. 



Atticora, BoiE, Isis, 1844. (Type Hirundo fasciata, Gm.) 



Atticora, in its more extended sense, includes a series of small 

 species (the least of the American members of the family) with 

 diminutive bills, the nostrils superior and broadly open, bordered 

 behind by membrane, but not overhung laterally. The tarsi long 

 in proportion, equalling the middle toe and half the claw ; either 

 slightly feathered above, or entirely bare ; the adhesion of the middle 

 toe to the outer variable, but carried to its maximum extent in some 

 forms. Tail forked, sometimes very deeply. The subdivisions are 

 as follows : — 



Pyoochelidon. — Basal joint of middle toe adherent, except at extreme end. 

 Tarsus feathered at upper end on inner face. Dusky, or else lustrous 

 black above and on crissum. 



Atticora. — Basal and middle joints of middle toe adherent externally. Tarsus 

 feathered above. Tail very deeply forked. Lustrous black, with pectoral 

 band and tibia white. 



NoTiocHELiDON. — Basal and half of middle joints of middle toe adherent ex- 

 ternally ; tarsi entirely bare. Top of head, wings, and tail black ; brown 

 on back and crissum. 



NE0CHELIDO^. — Toes as in last ; tarsus feathered above. Dull lustreless brown. 



In all the species the feathers of chin and throat are plumbeous 

 at base. 



Atticoea, Boie. 



Nostrils superior, broadly open and circular ; bounded for posterior half by 

 membrane ; not overhung, however, on the inner side. Frontal feathers soft, 

 smooth, without any bristles, neither at base of upper mandible nor on chin. 

 Bill small and delicate. Legs ratlier large and stout, the toes shorter than 

 usual ; tarsus nearly equal to middle toe and claw, the tibial joint with 

 feathers attached, and slightly invading and overhanging upper end, but not 

 extending along inner face. Outer and middle toes connate for half the length 

 of the latter, leaving only the terminal joints of each (exclusive of claws) 

 free ; the basal joint of middle toe adherent to the outer toe. The claws 

 sharp and curved ; the lateral toes equal. 



Tail deeply forked, extending beyond wings ; lateral feathers tapering, but 

 not attenuated, one-half longer than the middle. 



Color entirely lustrous black, with white abdominal band and tibia. 



The great amount of adhesion of the toes characterizes this sub- 



20 May, 1865. 



