Synopsis of Orders and Families. 



Order XIV. Cuckoos, Trogons, Kingfishers, Etc. COCCYGES. 

 (3 famiHes, 8 speqies, 2 subspecies,) 

 A composite Order of several groups of birds bearing no close rela- 

 tion to each other. Cuckoos have slightly curved bills, long tails, and 

 two toes in front and two behind. Trogons have short, rather broad, 

 stout bills, and soft, loose plumage, often green above, redbelow; moder- 

 ately long' tails; small feet with two toes in front, two behind. King- 

 fishers have long, rather stout, pointed bills; wings, long; tail, medium; 

 three toes in front and one behind; middle and outer toes joined for 

 half their length. 



YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 



Family 40. CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. CliculiD,C. 



Toes two in front, two behind; bill, usually, more or less decurved; tail, loot and 

 rounded, the outer feathers being, generally, much shorter than the middle pair. 



coppery-tailed TROGON. 

 Family 41. TROGONS. TROGONID/C. 



Toes two in front, two behind; bill, short; upper mandible decurved and dentate; 

 tail square; plumage, soft, loose, and generally shining green above. 



BELTED KINGFISHER, 



3] 



