Genus MOMOTUS, rrisson. 



PRIONITES, 7%._MOMOTUS, Lath.— LES MOTMOTS, Cuv. Temm. 



— BARYPHONUS, Vieill. 



Ord. II. Insessores, Vigors ; 3 me . Trib. Conirostres, Cuvier. — Ord. II. 

 Picje, Limueus. — Ord. II. Ambulatores, Illiger, 8 me . Fam. Dentirostres. 

 Ord. II. Les Passereaux, Cuvier, S me . Trib. Les Conirostres. — Ord. II. 

 Omnivores, Temminck. 



Char. Gen. — Rostrum mediocre, crassiusculum, cultratum, tomiis dentatis, postice 

 serratis, versus apicem integerrimis ; vibrissa? raro-radiata?, malares et ingluvi- 

 ales ; nares basales, laterales, postice membrana pluraulis obsita semiclausae ; an- 

 tice foramine rotundato patentes ; lingua * angusta pennacea. Alee breves, ro- 

 tunda?, remige primo brevissimo, secundo, tertio, gradatim increscentibus, quarto 

 quintoque longissimis. Pedes mediocres, incessores, digiti antici duo externi 

 subsequales, ad rhizonychium usque coadnuti, interni ad basin conjuncti, tertia 

 parte breviores, halluces sequantes ; ungues omnes arcuati, anticus medius dimi- 

 dio longior. Cauda longa, cuneata. 



Typus genericus Ramphastos Momota, Linn. 



JXamphastos momota of Linnaeus was first separated, with great pro- 

 priety, from the Ramphastida by Brisson, who formed from this species 

 his genus Momotus. Since that time, it has been very accurately characte- 

 rized by Professor Illiger of Berlin, under the appellation of Priorities ; 

 but this being long subsequent, must of course be yielded to the right of 

 priority. The type was at that time the only one known, since which, how- 

 ever, two species have been added to this small though well defined group, 

 all beautifully agreeing with each other in their form, colour, and general 

 structure, and, as far as we know, in their manner of life. The prevailing 

 colours are different shades of green, blue, and chesnut. The texture of 

 the plumage, though thick and downy at the root, is yet loose and uncon- 

 nected : the wings are short and rounded, and apparently unfit for exten- 

 sive flight ; the tail is strongly cuneated, the exterior feather on each side 

 is remarkably short, while the two centre ones are considerably longer 

 than any of the rest ; the] shafts of the two centre feathers, for nearly the 



* Illiger. 



3 h.2 



