Genus ATELORNIS. 
Brachypteracias, Lafr. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1834^ pL 31, partim. 
Atelornis, Puclieran, Rev. Zool. 1846, p. 200. Type Brachypteracias pittoides, Lafresnaye. 
Corapitta, Bonap. Consp. Vol. Anisod. p. 7 (1854). Type Brachypteracias pittoides. 
Coracopitta, fide Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xvii. p. 7 (1892). 
Hab. Madagascar. 
Rostro longo, gracile, versus apicem decurvato : alis brevibus, remige quarta longissima, tertia vix breviore, prim4 
0^^‘7 quam secunda et V' quam quarta breviore, tertia et quinta sequalis: cauda longa, rotundata : tarsis elongatis, 
gracilibus. 
Bill rather long and slender, slightly decurved towards the tip ; nostrils basal, linear, partly con¬ 
cealed by feathers; no bare space below the eye. Wings short and broad, the fourth quills longest, 
the third but a trifle shorter, the first 0’7 inch shorter than the second and 1 inch shorter than the 
fourth, the third and fifth about equal in length. Tail long, rounded. Legs long and rather slender ; 
feet rather slender ; claws rather short than otherwise, curved, acute.—Type Atelornis fiittoides. 
The present genus contains two, or possibly three, species, which are restricted to Madagascar. In 
habits they are terrestrial and are but seldom seen on the wing, and their flight is feeble. They are 
said to be to a great extent crepuscular. They feed on insects and small reptiles. They nest in holes 
in the ground or between the roots of large trees, and deposit creamy-white eggs or white slightly 
spotted at the smaller end. 
