Collyrio, G. R. Gray.—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 323.
Collurio excubitoroides.
38423
Gen. Char. Feathers of forehead stiffened; base of bill, including nostrils, covered by bristly feathers directed forward. Bill shorter than the head, much compressed, and very powerful. Culmen decurved from base, the mandible abruptly bent down in a powerful hook with an acute lobe near the tip. Tip of lower mandible bent upwards in a hook; the gonys very convex. Rictus with long bristles. Legs stout; the tarsi rather short, and longer than the middle toe; the lateral equal; the claws all very sharp and much curved. Wings rounded; the first primary about half the second, which is equal to the sixth or seventh. Tail longer than the wings, much graduated, the feathers broad.
But few species of this genus belong to America, and these are confined to the northern portion. For the purpose of more readily identifying the species we present a brief diagnosis, and then furnish descriptions of all (including a European ally) in a single table.
Species.
A. Outer webs of secondaries wholly white for basal half (mostly concealed by coverts, however). Upper eyelid white.
C. excubitor.[82] Nasal tufts grayish-white. In other respects, as regards colors, like excubitoroides. Wing, 4.20; tail, 4.00; tarsus, .95. Hab. Europe.
B. Outer webs of secondaries black to the base. Upper eyelids black.
a. White crescent on lower eyelid. Beneath with wavy bars of dusky in all stages. Tarsus less than 1.00; wing more than 4.50.