The British Guiana Museum. 257 
nidae), several species are shewn in the under part of the 
case, below and on the right of the harpy-eagle, of the 
only genus (Ceryle) which is found on, but not confined 
to the American continent. In these birds, the bills are 
long, stout and broad at base, straight and sharp, and 
keeled ; and the toes are arranged three in front and one 
behind, the front toes being more or less united to each 
other, markedly the outer and the middle toes which are 
united nearly to the tip. These birds are often ex- 
tremely handsome, the tints of blue, green, brown, white 
and black being chiefly present. In beauty, however, 
they are far behind their Old World allies. They live 
chiefly on fish and water animals ; and they present one of 
the most chara6leristic sights in the river scenery of the 
forest, generally perching on branches or sticks over- 
hanging the water. 
Of the family of the trogons (Trogonidas) , a family 
also found in tropical Asia and Africa, specimens are 
shewn of the genus Trogon placed next to the king- 
fishers ; while others are to be seen in the flat- 
case (3). In these birds, the bill is short, broad at 
the base, rather stout, and notched ; the nostril is 
surrounded with bristles, and the gape of the mouth is 
bordered in the same way ; the legs are feathered 
to the toes ; and the toes are turned two forwards 
and two backwards. These birds, more especially the 
males, are some of the most lovely of their class. On the 
upper surface of the bodv are beautiful metallic golden 
green, blue and brown tints, while on the under side are 
vivid masses and patches of either intense carmine or 
orange against the darker tints — well shewn in specimens 
in the central flat-case. The leathers are very lightly 
