Order ITT. SCAXSORES. 
Family IV. Cuculidje. 
The second Subfamily, 
SAUROTHERINiE, or Ground Cuckows, 
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 Wings 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 * 
BUI longer than the head, rather slender, and straight, with the culmen slightly sloping towards the 
tin which is suddenly curved and hooked, and the sides much compressed; the gonys long, and slightly 
ascendina ; 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. M lengthened, 
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 i* the Hands of the West Indies and South America that the species of this genus are found. They frequent 
the wwdl ^mid^ed^es throughout the year, feeding on seeds, small worms, and caterpillar. They are sard to attack 
small snakes, frogs, young rats, and sometimes small birds. When seen on the giounc , tien progressive moveme 
. i8 usua il y by leaps. Their flight is weak and short, extending only from bush to bush. 
1. S. vetula (Gmel.) Vieill. PI. enl. 772. 
| 2. S. Merlini D’Orb. Voy. l’lle de Cuba, Ois. t. 25. f. X. 
Geococcyx Wagl.-\ 
Bill a. Ion" as, or longer than, the head, with the culmen slightly sloping to near the tip which is 
suddenly cuAd and hooked ; the sides much compressed ; the gonys rather long and aseendmg ; the 
nostrils lateral and basal, with the opening rather oval, and covered by a membrane. Wrngs moderate 
* Established by Vieillot in 1816. 
+ Wagler established this genus in 1831. 
Leptostoma of Mr. Swainson (1837 ?) is synonymous. 
