Order III. SCANSORES. 
Family IV. Cuculid^e. 
The second Subfamily, 
SAUROTHERINiE, or Ground L.UCKOWS, 
have the Bill long ; with the culmen nearly straight towards the tip, which is suddenly curved and 
hooked ; the sides much compressed ; and the gonys long, and slightly ascending ; the nostrils lateral, and 
partly exposed : the AVings moderate and rounded : the Tail lengthened and graduated : the Tarsi 
more or less long, and covered in front with transverse scales : the Toes more or less unequal : the 
Claws moderate, curved, and acute. 
Saurothera VieilL* 
Bill longer than the head, rather slender, and straight, mth the culmen slightly sloping towards the 
tip, which is suddenly curved and hooked, and the sides much compressed ; the gonys long, and slightly 
ascending ; the nostrils lateral and basal, with the opening oval and partly covered by a membrane. 
Wings moderate and rounded ; with the fourth, fifth, and sixth quills equal and longest. 7a^71engthened, 
broad, and graduated. Tarsi short, rather slender, as long as the outer anterior toe, and covered in 
front with broad scales. Toes rather long ; the outer lateral toes equal, and longest ; the claws moderate, 
compressed, curved, and acute. 
It is in the islands of the West Indies and South America that the species of this genus are found. They frequent 
the woods and hedges throughout the year, feeding on seeds, small worms, and caterpillars. They are said to attack 
small snakes, frogs, young rats, and sometimes small birds. When seen on the ground, their progressive movement 
is usually by leaps. Their flight is weak and short, extending only from bush to bush. 
1. S. mtuln (Gmel.) Vieill. PI. enl. 772. | 2. S. Merlini D'Orb. Voy. I'lle de Cuba, Ois. t. 25. f. 1. 
Geococcyx Wagl.-\ 
Bill as long as, or longer than, the head, with the culmen slightly sloping to near the tip, which is 
suddenly curved and hooked ; the sides much compressed ; the gonys rather long and ascending ; the 
nostrils lateral and basal, with the opening rather oval, and covered by a membrane. Wings moderate 
* Established by Vieillot in 18l6. 
t Wagler established this genus in 1831. Leptostoma of Mr. Swainson (1837?) is synonymous. 
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