292 RED-SHAFTED WOODPECKER. 



1, 1836," is similar to the female as above described, but has the lower 

 surface of the wings and tail, with the shafts, of a much paler tint, approach- 

 ing to dull yellow, which induces me to think that this species does not 

 attain its perfect colouring until at least the second year. 

 Length to end of tail 13 inches; bill along the ridge 1-^. 



FAMILY XXVIL— CUCULINyE. CUCKOOS. 



Bill long or of moderate length, broader than high at the base, compressed 

 toward the end, straight or somewhat arched; upper mandible with the 

 dorsal line convex or arched, the ridge indistinct, the sides convex, the edges 

 arched, sharp, without notch, the tip decurved; lower mandible with the 

 angle rather short, the dorsal line straight or decurved, the ridge thin, the 

 sides erect or convex, the tip slightly decurved, acute. Nostrils basal, 

 oblong, generally marginate. Head of moderate size; neck of ordinary 

 length; body rather slender. Feet of moderate length; tarsus with broad 

 scutella; toes long, slender, flat beneath, outer directed outwards or back- 

 wards. Claws long or of moderate length, arched, compressed, acute. 

 Plumage blended; wings generally long, with the first quill short, the third 

 and fourth longest. Tail long, of ten feathers; upper mandible very narrow 

 beneath, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue slender, emarginate, and 

 papillate at the base, the tip horny, thin, lacerated, and slit; oesophagus 

 rather wide, without dilatation; stomach large, round, with the muscular 

 coat very thin, the epithelium soft, rugous; intestine of moderate length 

 and width; coeca long, oblong, narrowed at the base. Trachea simple, with 

 a single very slender pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. 



