194 BULLETIN 50, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



its basal angle fairly distinct; frontal shield large and broad (a little 

 longer than wide) , extending backward to beyond posterior angle of 

 eye, its posterior outline strongly rounded with more or less tendency 

 to a median obtuse angle, its surface flat or very slightly elevated. 

 Nostril ovate {P. martinica) or elliptical {P. cdleni and P. fofrva) , its 

 anterior end much nearer to edge of loral feathering than to tip of 

 maxilla; nasal fossa small and (especially in P. parva) rather indis- 

 tinct ; anterior outline of feathering at lateral base of bill forming a 

 nearly straight but slightly oblique, almost vertical line from lateral 

 base of frontal shield to lower edge of mandibular rami. Wing rather 

 large, moderately concave beneath; second {P- martinica and P. 

 parva) or third (P. alleni) primary (from outside) longest, the first 

 (outermost) equal to fifth {P. martinica) , sixth {P. parva) , or seventh 

 {P. alleni) , the longest primaries exceeding distal secondaries by about 

 one-third {P. martinica) to two-fifths {P. alleni and P. parva) the 

 length of wing, the proximal secondaries falling far short of tips of 

 longest primaries. Tail between two-fifths and one-half as long as 

 wing, graduated, the rectrices becoming narrower terminally but with 

 rounded tips (narrower and subacuminate in P. alleni), apparently 

 ten in number, the middle pair extending considerably beyond both 

 upper and lower coverts. Tarsus as long as middle toe without claw 

 {P. martinica) or decidedly shorter {P. alleni and P. parva), the. 

 acrotarsium with about 12 or 13 large transverse scutella (in single 

 series), the planta tarsi with a single series of smaller transverse 

 scutella along each side, the two lateral series separated along pos- 

 terior edge by a narrow space occupied by small, more or less longi- 

 tudinal scales ; lower portion of tibia naked for a considerable distance, 

 covered both anteriorly and posteriorly by large transverse scutella; 

 outer toe, without claw, reaching to about middle of penultimate 

 plialanx of middle toe, the inner toe decidedly shorter, reaching (with- 

 out claw) to subterminal articulation of middle toe ; hallux, without 

 claw, about as long as basal phalanx of outer toe {P. nMrtin,ica) or 

 longer (P alleni and P. parva) ; claws slender, rather long, distinctly 

 curved, that of the hallux nearly as long as its digit; outer edge of 

 middle toe with a very narrow marginal membrane. 



Plumage and coloration. — Plumage of head, neck, and underparts 

 dense, blended, that of head shorter, the head completely feathered 

 (except for frontal shield) ; plumage of upperparts similar but in- 

 dividual feathers rather more distinctly defined, especially the scapu- 

 lars and wing coverts. Coloration plain dull purplish blue on under- 

 parts, head more blackish, upperparts greenish olive becoming more 

 greenish on wings {P. martinica and P. alleni), or upperparts 

 reddish brown passing into a light bluish green above and whitish 

 beneath {P. parva). 



