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Genus LEPTODON, Sundevall. 
Cy mind is Cuvier, Reg. An. i, 1817, 319. Type, Faico cayennensis Gmel. (Not of Late. 
1806.) 
Leptodon Sundevall, K. Yet. Akad. Hand!. 1835, 114. Same type. 
Odontriorchis Kaup, Mus. Seuek. iii, 1845, Same type. 
Ch.— Bill strong, swollen laterally, much hooked, the upper outline 
of the cere gradually ascending, and moderately arched 5 superior tomiurn 
with a more or less distinct tooth behind the strong, but rather short, 
hooked tip. Membrane of the cere somewhat tumid, the nostril narrow, 
oblique, slit-like, nearly covered by a tumid membrane, and touching 
the anterior edge of the cere. Lores aud eyelids naked, but uniformly 
bristled. Feet small but robust, the tarsus about equal to the middle 
toe. Top of the toes with regular transverse scutellse; tarsus covered 
with rather large hexagonal scales. Claws rather small, very broad, 
and slightly hollowed beneath, the edges sharp and prominent. Feathers 
of the crown and occiput distinct, rather lengthened, nearly cuueate, 
but with rounded tips. Secondaries much developed, reaching nearly 
to the end of the primaries. Third to fifth quill longest; first shorter 
than seventh, sometimes shorter than the ninth. Inner webs of outer 
four to six very slightly sinuated. Tail lengthened, about two-thirds as 
long as the wing, rounded, the feathers very broad. 
This subgenus is so very similar to Avicida that there is considerable 
doubt as to the propriety of separating the two ; the only difference is in 
the proportionate development of the primaries and secondaries, in the 
slightly more rounded tail, and in the less developed crest and larger 
size of Leptodon. These two genera, along with Baza, Pernis , aud Rege- 
rhinus, form a most natural group, which maybe termed the Femes , 
and to which we are doubtfully inclined to refer the genus Elanoides as 
•an aberrant member. 
This group may be characterized as follows :— 
Group Peenes. 
Ch.— Superciliary process of the lachrymal simple and much abbre¬ 
viated, as in Pandion , but (as in the Polybori). not anchylosed with the 
frontal bone. Outer toe not reversible, and the claws normal (i. e, grad¬ 
uated in size, and flattened, or slightly concave beneath). Feet small, 
the tarsus very short, scarcely exceeding the middle toe; outer and 
middle toes not united at the base by a membrane. Tarsus covered 
with irregular, usually hexagonal, scales—never scutellate ; middle claw 
with its inner edge much produced, convex 1 , sharp, sometimes with 
rudimentary pectinations. Plumage soft, full; sides of the head densly 
feathered close up to the eyelids, the eyes prominent, and not protected 
by a superciliary shield. . 
‘The more strongly-marked genera of the group may be characterized 
as follows:— 
4 . Cere tumid, the nostril slit-like, overhung by a soft membrane. 
Tail even or rounded, much shorter than the wing. Inner 
webs of outer two to six primaries with inner webs sinuated; 
third to fifth quill longest; first shorter than seventh. 
a Bill only moderately hooked and not conspicuously compressed. 
Feathers of the pileum rather firm, distinctly defined; several 
of those on the occiput more elongated, forming more or less 
of a crest. 
