98 
CORACIIN.^. CORACIAS. 
FAMILY XI. COEACIIN^. CORACIINE 
BIEDS, OE EOLLEES. 
Bill stout, of moderate length, broad at the base, gra- 
dually compressed toward the end ; upper mandible with 
the dorsal outline convex, the ridge indistinct, the sides 
convex, the edges thin, with a faint sinus close to the 
tip, which is slender and deflected. Mouth wide, the 
gape-line commencing beneath the eyes. Nostrils basal, 
rather large, partially concealed by the feathers. Eyes 
of moderate size. Head large, roundish, or broadly ovate ; 
neck short ; body moderately full. Feet small ; tarsus 
very short, rather stout, with seven broad scutella ; toes 
moderate, the second shorter than the fourth ; claws 
moderately curved, much compressed, laterally grooved, 
acute. Plumage moderately full, blended ; bristles at the 
base of the bill generally strong ; wings of moderate 
length, broad, with the first quill little shorter than the 
second, the third longest ; tail of twelve feathers, of mo- 
derate length. 
The birds of this family are inhabitants of warm cli- 
mates, and for the most part gaudily coloured. They are 
nearly allied to the Laniinse and Myiotherinse on the one 
hand, and to the Turdinse and Thremmaphilinse on the 
other. One species occurs in Britain, but only as a strag- 
gler. 
GENUS XXVII. COEACIAS. EOLLEE. 
Bill nearly as long as the head, rather broad at the base, 
but presently compressed, and higher than broad ; upper 
mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched and declinate, 
the ridge obtuse, the edges sharp, with a slight sinus close 
to the small, deflected, rather acute tip ; lower mandible 
with the tip narrow and obliquely truncate ; gape-line 
slightly arched, commencing beneath the eyes. Nostrils. 
