| OCR Text |
Show 196 MR. J. G. GOODCIIILD ON THK [Apr. 6, these feathers that is characteristic of a large number of the birds remaining to be described. Still following the plan of tracing out the various^ modifications of wing-pattern without reference to any other characteristics, however important, the place of the Coccyges should be somewhere near the confines of the Colutnbae. Fig. 20. Fig. 19. Fig. 20 a. Carpococcyx. Cuculus Coccystes. In passing in review a number of species belonging to the Coccyges they seem to be naturally divisible into the Cuckoos proper well represented by Cuculus canorus (fig. 19), and the Centropodinae, represented by Carpococcyx radiatus (fig. 20). The Cuckoos proper somewhat resemble the Pigeons, and where they differ from the Pi-eons they seem to approach the Picarian birds. The Ground Cuckoos seem to make some approach to the Peristeropods; m other respects they remind one of the Musophagidae. Judging from stuffed specimens alone, the wing of Opisthocomus closely resembles that of the Cuckoos. . In the living Bustards, so far as I can judge, there seems again to be another variation on the general pattern of the Columba ; but I have hitherto failed to obtain a satisfactory sketch of the wing-pattern in this bird. Of the remaining families of the Order Alectondes given in the List, I have also, so far, failed to obtain any good evidence, except in the case of the Gruidae, which will be referred to in more detail presently. It is especially desirable to obtain good observations upon the point specially under notice in the case of the Canamas; but the lax texture of their wing-feathers renders any such observation a matter of considerable difficulty. So far as I can judge at present, the style of coverts in the Cariamas agrees with that of the Bustards, and differs from that of Serpentarius. The specimens of Chauna chavaria living at the Gardens present a style of imbrication that seems to approach the Columbine type very closelv. The disposition shown in fig. 21 is practically the same as Wolf has drawn in Ch. nigricollis ( = derbiana), P. Z. S. 1864 pi xi Whether the feathers of the distal tract ot the cubital region follow exactly the same disposition as do those of the Pigeons |
