AVES. 81 
breeding of tlieir most frequent fosterparenta described. E. P. Ramsay, 
‘ P. Z. S. I860, pp. 571-677. • . 
Chrysococcyx oscutansj C. lucidus, and C. basalts are figured. S. Piggies, 
Orn. Austral, part vii. 
Ncomorplvm salvini is a new species from Veragua, remarkable for its 
sliorter and much more elevated bill and the uniformly rufous forehead. To 
this account are added descriptions of the other two species of the genus 
known to the author (Zool. Rec. i. p. 72), and the new one is figured. P. L. 
Sclater, P. Z. S. 1866, pp. 69, 60, pi. v. 
Saurothera vieilloti, var. rufescensy is described from Porto Rico. H. 
Bryant, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. II. x. p. 256. 
Caprimulgim. 
Sclater, P. L. Notes on the American Caprimulgidd^. Proc. 
Zool. Soc. 1866, pp. 123-145, pis. xiii., xiv. 
This highly important and elaborate paper requires no small 
care to bring out its most interesting features. After briefly 
touching upon the chief authorities for the special subject in 
hand, the author offers some preliminary observations on the . 
whole family and its geographical distribution. The Capru 
mulgidce present two very different modes of structure in their 
feet, by which they are readily divided into two divisions. In 
the first of these, or Caprimulgiim proper, the outer toe has/o^^?• 
phalanges only, and the middle claw is pectinated ; in the second 
the normal number of five phalanges obtains, and the middle 
claw is smooth. Again, the sternum offers important characters 
for classification, as was pointed out by M. Blanchard (Ann. du 
Mus. 1859, xi. pp. 104-108). These, as well as those afforded by 
the phalangeal series, are illustrated by woodcuts (pp. 124^-126). 
Podargus, and the forms allied to it, such as Nyctibius, may 
probably have to be separated into a distinct family. The result 
of Mr. Sclater's investigations is that he divides the whole family 
into three subfamililes — (I.) Podargin(E,^\ii\\i\\G. ^QnQxuPodargiis, 
BatrachostomuSj jEgotheles, and NycAibius ; (11.) SteatornithirKB, 
composed of only; and (III.) Cagmmulgincp, divided into 
two sections — (a.) Glabrirostres, containing Podager, Lurocalis, 
Chordiles, LyncorniSj and Eurystopodus', and (b.) Setirosires, in- 
cluding CaprimulguSy ^cotornis, MacrodipteryWy Antrosiomusy 
Stenoj)sis, HydropsaliSy HeleotJireptus , NyctidromuSj and Sipho- 
norhis. Passing then to the American forms of these subfamilies, 
an excellent synonymatic and diagnostic list of the forty-two 
species (one of which is new) known with certainty to the author 
is given, with remarks on their habitats and the like, this 
valuable paper being concluded Avith a table showing their geo- 
graphical distribution in the Ncav World. It is only to be 
regretted that the plates illustrating it are so very inartistically 
executed. 
^ — . Additional Notes on the Caprhnulgidce, Tom. cit. pp. 
581-590, pis. xlv., xlvi. 
1866. [voL. III.] 
G 
