Zoological Quarterly Bulletin Volume 1-3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 Excerpt: ... local organizations, --granges, alliances, and schools, --can give needed help to this office, and thus to the State, by sending us desired specimens, notes, records of observations, etc. Acting upon this suggestion, we hereby ask the Secretaries of granges, alliances, clubs, etc, to announce at their respective local meetings that we desire specimens of unusual kinds of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, etc., as well as duplicate specimens of the more common kinds. All such material will be acknowledged at once, used in investigations and publications, and preserved in the State Museum with proper credit to the sender. Send Pennsylvania specimens (at our expense) and notes on observations to H. A. Surface, Economic Zoologist, Harrisburg, Pa. ORDER XI. COCCYGES. THE CUCKOOS, KINGFISHERS, ROAD-RUNNERS, ETC. This Order is represented in the United States by birds belonging to three families, but only two are represented in Pennsylvania. The birds belonging to this Order are distinguished by having soft tail-feathers, the bill not strongly hooked, and the toes either two in front and two behind or the outer and middle toes united. The birds belonging to this order are mostly tropical and subtropical. Family 17. Cuculidae. The Cnckoos, Anis and Road-runners. The birds of this Family agree in having the toes two in front and two behind; the bill as long as the head, compressed, with cutting edges smooth, nostrils exposed or not covered, no distinct bristles at corner or angle of mouth; tarsus nearly or quite as long as the longest front toe, and unfeathered for the greater part of its length; front toes separated to extreme base, and feathers without bright or metallic colors. There are three Genera of this family found in North America, and to these, respectivel