468 Asiatic Society. [No. 125. 



that the Pressirostres and Longirostres of Cuvier (corresponding to the Charadriadee 

 and Scolopacidce of modern English systematists) composed but a single great series, 

 essentially distinct from the Cultrirostres, Cuv. (vel Gruidoe et Ardeadce), which the 

 illustrious French zoologist interposed between the former, an analogous conforma- 

 tion was not wanting in that series, as instanced by the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa 

 melanura), while no trace of it occurs in the Bar-tailed Godwit (L.fedoa). Examin- 

 ing, however, the entire foot of a recent Pratincole, it will be seen that the resem- 

 blance it bears to that of Caprimulgus extends to the peculiar scutation, to the gene- 

 ral form of the toes, and especially to the circumstance of the back-toe being 

 directed inward ; and whoever has witnessed the creeping gait of a British Moth-hunter 

 (Caprimulgus) on the ground, will not fail to recognise in that of the Pratincole 

 an exact similarity : moreover, many species of Caprimulgus have the tars e as much 

 elongated as in Glareola, and I have been informed that certain of these assemble 

 numerously on the mud flats near the shores of some of the West India Islands, where 

 their habits would appear to resemble those stated of the Pratincoles. The mode of 

 flight, too, of the latter is absolutely that of the Moth-hunters, and not by continuous 

 flappings, as in all the Charadriadee. But what first led me to perceive the affinity 

 which this genus bears to Caprimulgus, was the expression of the physiognomy of the 

 living bird, as I held it in my hand, and, to descend to particulars, the semi-tubulate 

 form of its nares, and downward curvature of the short bill seen alike in both, though 

 the latter is so much larger and stouter in Glareola ; then, looking to the feet, the 

 similitude was at least equally striking, while the form of the wings and tail, and mode 

 of flight, were such as might be expected to occur in a diurnal modification of the family 

 Caprimulgidce, and together with the wide gape helped to remove this genus from the 

 grallatorial order altogether. Even the egg, as figured by Mr. Yarrell, has not the 

 pointed form at one end, characteristic of those of the Snipe and Plover series ; but 

 would appear to resemble nearly that of a Caprimulgus, in shape as well as in mark- 

 ings. On the other hand, the discrepancies of Glareola with any of the varied forms 

 of nocturnal Caprimulgidce* are sufficiently obvious externally, while internally there 

 are some very strongly marked differences ; such as tbe configuration of the sternum, 

 which is doubly emarginated posteriorly, and otherwise more approximates the form of 

 this important portion of the skeleton of the Charadriadee, while the tongue also is 

 broad and flat, with a thin serrated tip, and the muscular coat of the stomach is consi- 

 derably developed, — particulars at variance with the type of Caprimulgidce, but which 

 I only now briefly advert to, since I have not lately procured an example of the latter 

 family with which to institute an anatomical comparison. Upon the whole, I have 

 arrived at the opinion that the Pratincoles are more nearly related by affinity to Capri- 

 mulgidce than to any other family in the class, but I hesitate as to whether they should 

 be actually included therein, though, if so, I think that they should be regarded as at 

 least constituting a very distinct sub-family, apart from the nocturnal genera, and thus 

 I incline provisionally to arrange them. 



Reptilia. 

 All that I have to notice, in this class, among the donations of the past month, con- 

 sist of two specimens of Testudo geometrica, very young, which were packed with the 



* Caprimulgus, CEgothcles, Podargus, Steatornis, Nyctibius. 



