SI 



PODAGERINiE. 



innermost quill extremely prolonged, and sometimes deficient of webs except at the end. Tail rather 

 lengthened, and even or slightly emarginated at the end. Tarsi as long as, or longer than, the middle toe, 

 robust, partly clothed with plumes, and the apical portion covered with transverse scales. Toes unequal ; 

 the lateral toes nearly equal, shorter than the middle toe, and united by a short membrane: the claws 

 moderate and acute, that of the middle toe long and serrated. 



The typical species is found in Western Africa, while Mr. Gould informs us that the second species inhabits the 

 islands lying between those of Bourbon and Madagascar ; it is also numerous, he says, on the shores of the Red Sea, 

 and in the island of Socotra. Their habits and manners are unknown. 



1. M. longipennis (Shaw), G. R. Gray, Nat. Misc. pi. 265. — Capri- I 2. M. vexillarius Gould, Icones Av. ii. pi. . — Type of Semei'o- 

 mulgus macrodipteryx Afxel. ; Macrodipteryx afrieanus Swains. | phorus Gould (1838). 



PoDAGER Wagl* 



Bill much depressed and broad at the base, with the culmen curved, and the sides compressed to the 

 tip, which is hooked and acute ; the nostrils lateral, with the opening oval and partly covered by 

 scattered plumes. Wings long, reaching beyond the end of the tail, and pointed ; with the first quill 

 the longest. Tail short and even. Tarsi very short, and entirely clothed with plumes. Toes strong 

 and unequal, with the lateral toe short, and the inner toe the longer of the two ; both united at their 

 base by a membrane to the middle toe, which is the longest, and armed with a moderate, curved, and 

 serrated claw. 



The species that compose this genus are found in the warmer parts of South America, where, they frequent fields and 

 moist places, usually in pairs, although they have sometimes been observed in troops of more than a hundred together, 

 chasing insects in full daylight. The female deposits two eggs on the bare ground, without any kind of nest. 



1. P. nacunda (Vieill.) N. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. x. p. 240— Capri- i 2. P. Nattereri Temm. PL col. 107. 

 mulgus diurnus Pr. Max. Temm. PI. col. 182. ; C. campestris Licht. \ 3. P. Gouldii G. R. Gray. 



* Wagler established this genus in 1832 (Ms, 1832, p. 277.). Protthera of Mr. Swainson (1837) is synonymous. 



December, 1847- 



