1915.] Miller, Notes on Ptilosis. 137 
(Psophia) that I have found in no other bird is the abruptly enlarged outer- 
most upper primary covert. In a specimen of P. lewcoptera this covert was 
$2 mm. long, the next four respectively being 37, 45, 04,and 56mm. Asa 
rule this outermost covert is much shorter than the next. 
Rectrices.— The number of rectrices in two genera of J acamars, Brachy- 
galba and Jacamaralcyon, is wrongly stated by Ridgway (Birds of N. and 
M. Amer., Pt. VI, p. 361) to be only “10 (the sixth pair wanting), an error 
traceable at least as far back as the British Museum Catalogue of Birds 
(Vol. XIX, p. 161). In both these genera the outermost (sixth) rectrix is 
present, as in every other member of the family, but while in Brachygalba 
it is more reduced than in any other genus, in Jacamaralcyon it is scarcely 
smaller than in Galbula. 
In the Woodpeckers and Wrynecks the tail-feathers number twelve, 
the outermost or 6th pair (as in the Jacamars) being reduced to a useless 
vestige, remarkable for its constancy. It is of interest to find that this 
pair of small rectrices, heretofore supposed to be invariably present, has 
been lost by Campephilus pollens and its place taken by the much reduced - 
fifth pair. On account of this and other peculiarities C. pollens may be 
allowed generic separation under Malherbe’s name Megapicos. 
The Campephilez are characterized in part by the unique form of the 
four middle rectrices which are much stronger than theremainder. The tail, 
at least in the American genera, is more strongly graduated than in other 
Woodpeckers. These peculiarities reach their maximum in Megapicos in 
which as a result of the great enlargement of the four middle tail-feathers the 
others have been much reduced and the vestigial sixth pair crowded out 
altogether. 
Beddard states that he “found only ten rectrices in Tiga shorei.” I 
have not seen this species but judging by the form of the tail in the related 
T’.-javanensts it seems probable that the specimen examined by Beddard 
had lost a pair of its tail-feathers either by molt or accident. In any 
event additional specimens must be examined before the normal number of 
rectrices in this species can be regarded as settled. 
The number of tail-feathers in the Motmots can now be regarded as 
definitely settled, the statements in the Tierreich (page 230) and British 
Museum Catalogue (XVII, p. 313) being erroneous. As correctly given 
by Mr. Ridgway there are only ten rectrices in every genus but Momotus 
which possesses twelve. In one of the three specimens of Baryphthengus 
examined, however, the right half of the tail has six rectrices, the sixth 
feather being of about the same relative size as in Momotus. The left side 
of the tail is imperfect. 
Oil-gland Tuft.— Statements regarding the presence or absence of a tuft 
