Genus MEROPOGON. 
Meropogon, Bp. Consp. Gen. Ay. i. p. 164 (1850). Type Merops furstmi, Temm. in Mus. Lugd. 
Pogonomerops, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. ii. p. 132 (1859). Type ut supra. 
Nyctiornis , Giebel, Tbes. Orn. ii. p. 733 (1875), nee Swainson. 
Hab. Celebes. 
Alis et juguli plurnis elongatis sicut in Nyctiornithe : cauda cum reetricibus elongatis sicut in Merope : rostro 
elongato, curvato, robusto : pedibus brevibus, robustis. 
The present genus contains but a single species, which is closely allied to both Nyctiornis and 
Merops, having the elongated pectoral plumes of Nyctiornis and the elongated central rectrices of 
Her ops, and forms a true link between the two genera. The late Marquis of Tweeddale published 
(Trans. Zool. Soc. viii. p. Ill) some excellent notes respecting the affinities of M.forsteni , which I 
cannot do better than transcribe : — “ This species has the first primary half the length of the second, 
which is a little shorter than the third. The third and fourth are longest, and equal. The fifth is 
somewhat shorter than the third and fourth, but longer than the second. In the structure of the 
wing, therefore, it differs from both Merops and Melittopliagus, but agrees with Nyctiornis. The 
grooved culmen of Nyctiornis is not present ; but a shallow channel extends from the base of the 
maxilla, on both sides of the culmen, for two thirds of its length. This character is not possessed by 
either Nyctiornis, Merops, or Melittopliagus. The rectrices are truncated, as in Nyctiornis ; but the 
middle pair are elongated, as in Merops, and closely resemble in form and proportion those of 
M. philippensis. The feet are those of the family. The elongated pectoral plumes resemble in 
character the same feathers in Nyctiornis. Altogether M. forsteni may be regarded as a link 
uniting Nyctiornis to Merops, but most nearly allied to Nyctiornis.” 
The single species belonging to this genus is found only in Celebes, all particulars as yet 
known respecting it being given in the following article. 
