GENUS MEROPOGON.
Meropooon, Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 164 (1850). Type Merops forsteni, Temm. iu Mus. Lugd.
Pognnomerops, Cab. & Heiue, Mus. Hein. ii. p. 132 (1859). Type ut supra,
Nyctiornis, Giebel, Thes. Orn. ii. p. 733 (1875), neo Swamson.
HAD. Célebes.
Alis et juguli plumis elongatis sieut iu Nyctiornithe: cauda curn rectricibus clougatis sicut in Merope : rostro
elongato, curvato, robusto : pedibus brevibus, robustis.
THE present genus contains but a single species, which is closely allied to both Xyctiornis and
Merops, having the elongated pectoral plumes of Xyctiornis and t h e elongated central rcctriccs of
Merops, and forms a true link between the two genera. The late Marquis of Tweeddale published
(Trans. Zool. Soc. viii. p. I l l ) some excellent notes respecting the affinities of M.forsteui, which I
cannot do better than transcribe :—" This species has the first primary half the length of the second,
which is a littlo shorter than the third. The third and fourth are longest, and equal. The fifth is
somewhat shorter than the third and fourth, but longer than the second. In the structure of the
wing, therefore, it differs from both Merops and Melittophagus, hut agrees with Xyctiornis. The
grooved culmen of Ngctiornis is not present; but a shallow channel extends from the base of the
maxilla, on both sides of the culmen, for two thirds of its length. This character is not possessed by
either Xyctiornis, Merops, or Melittophagus. The rcctriccs are truncated, as in Xyctiornis ; but the
middle pair arc elongated, as in Merops, and closely resemble in form and proportion those of
21. philippcnsis. The feet are those of the family. The elongated pectoral plumes resemble in
character the same feathers in Xyctiornis. Altogether M. forsleni may be regarded as a link
uniting Xyctiornis to Merops, but most nearly allied to Xyctiornis."
The single species belonging to this geuus is found only in Celebes, all particulars as yet
known respecting it being given in the following article.