ON THE OENKIiA. 
XXV 
in most subequal and longest, sometimes the third, fourth, and fifth. The tail is sliort 
(except in Fsilopogon) and consists of ten feathers. The legs are short and stout, tht- feet 
long and powerful. They are able to climb up or down trees with ease. They nidificate in 
holes of trees, which they generally make themselves. Their food consists of fruits, berries, 
insects and their larva). We propose to divide them into the following genera: — 
B. Rostro Ijevi ; setis rictalibus longis, vel post nares densis ; maxillfe 
mandibulaeque apicibus sequis. 
A'. Culmine lato, orbiculato ad basin; setis rictalibus nigris. 
A". Eostro ad apicem compresso et acuto Metjalaimu. 
B". Rostro brevi, lato et obtuso Xmdholaima. 
B'. Culmine acuto ; setis rictalibus nigris. 
A". Maxilla rect^^ mandibula valde curvata ad apicem X]/lobucco. 
B". Maxilla mandibulaque sequaliter curvatis Barbatula; 
C. Setis densis post nares coccineo late marginatis Psilopoyon. 
D'. Capite calvo, vel summo plumato ; setis densis post nares flavescenti- 
brunneis ................... Gymnobucco. 
By the above it will be seen that we have taken colour of the bristles as a primary distinction 
m two genera ; our reason for doing so is, that it is a feature which will catch the eye at a 
glance, and about which no mistake can well be made. Megalcema, Xylobucco, Barhatula, 
Gymnobucco, and Xantliolmma are all treated as one genus by Gray and Goffin, under the 
name Megalmma, which also includes Chotorea, Cyanops, and Buccanodon ; the three latter, 
being unable to separate, we have expunged, but have considered, as will be seen by our 
table, that the former may be retained. 
Dr. Jerdon says of the Megalaminse tliat, though they are placed by Swainson and Gray 
as a subfamily of the Picidw, their short tongue, non-climbing habits, and general structure 
warrant a higher separation : the plumage resembles in structure that of the Bamphastidce ; 
the feathers possess the supplementary plumes in both. Their clavicles are imperfect, and 
do not in general, if ever, unite to form the furcula as in Toucans. The cranium is broad, 
angular, and weak ; the sternum has the keel low, with two emarginations on each side ; 
the oesophagus is wide, the stomach slightly muscular ; and the intestinal canal is short and 
wide, without cseca ; they have no gall-bladder ; the tongue is long and thin, slightly barbed 
in some of the larger species. 
Mr. Blyth, in his commentary on Dr. Jerdon's work, says it is an error to subordinate 
this family to the Picidce, as they hop hke ordinary Passeres, but that they are more 
nearly allied to the Bamphastidoe, and that if the larger species of this latter family were 
unknown, such a genus as Aulacoramphus would have been assigned to the group of 
Capitonidoe. This author does not credit the fact that the Capitonidce can climb. 
1. Genus Megal^ma. 
Characteristics. — Bill with the margin smooth, sharp and compressed at the tip; culmen 
broad, rounded at base, and curved ; rictal bristles, which are strongly developed, black. 
d 
