332 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OP BIBDS. 
Nostrils entirely concealed by incumbent feathers. 
Hypochondrial feathers broad, compact, with trunc- 
ated ends. Feet ? 
C. regius. Vicil. Gal. pi. 96. 
Parotia, Vieil. Bill slender, covered by soft feathers, 
directed upwards, for near two thirds its length. Nos- 
trils concealed. Feet and wings unknown. 
P. sexsetacea. Vieil. Gal. pi. 97. 
Lophobina, Vieil. Interscapulars excessively deve- 
loped. A very doubtful type. 
L. superba. Vieil. Gal. pi. 98. 
Tribe V. FISSIROSTRES. Fissirostral Birds. 
Feet of different constructions, but always short, and 
generally very weak and imperfect. Gape of the mouth 
very wide. Feed upon insects, caught during flight. 
Family MBROP1DA5. Bee-eaters, 
Wings long, pointed ; the first quill as long, or nearly 
so, as any of the others, 289.) 
Merops, Lin. (yfjr. 289. u) Bee-eater, Bill very long, 
slender, slightly curved, compressed : the culmen cari- 
nated ; the tip entire, sharp, and not bent downward. 
Wings long, pointed ; the tips of the lesser quills 
emarginate. Tail lengthened. Feet gressorial. 
