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Marine    Biological    Laboratory 


l,    1 


Accession    No._ 

Given    By         — •     T-    H.    ^OJ  OPV,     Jr. 

Place 


,I3L  Li          ;.a 


THE 
tfTKUCTUKE    AXD    CLASSIFICATION 


OF    BIRDS 


THE 


STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION 


BIRDS 


BY 


FRANK   E.  BEDDAED,  M.A.,  F  K.S. 

rilOSECTOli    AM)    VlCli-SKCKETAKY    OF    THE     ZOOLOGICAL    SOCIETY    or    J.oMMiN 


LONGMANS,     GREEN,     AND      CO 

3!)     PATERNOSTER     ROW,     LONDON 
NEW    YORK    AND    IIOMBAY 

1898 


P  1!  E  F  A  C  E 


IT  was  the  intention  of  my  predecessor  in  the  office  of 
Prosector  to  the  Zoological  Society,  the  late  Professor 
Garrod,  F.K.S.,  to  write  a  treatise  upon  bird  anatomy. 
This  intention  was  so  far  realised  that  a  nearly  complete 
account  of  the  anatomy  of  the  fowl,  with  the  appropriate 
illustrations,  was  actually  drawn  up  ;  it  was  proposed  that 
this  should  be  followed  by  a  second  part,  in  which  the  general 
anatomical  characters  of  the  different  groups  of  birds  were  to 
be  stated.  Of  this  second  part  I  have  beside  me  some  thirty 
sheets  of  MS.  Professor  Garrod 's  successor  in  the  post  of 
Prosector  to  the  Zoological  Society,  the  late  Mr.  W.  A. 
Forbes,  had  every  intention  of  finishing  this  work  com- 
menced ;  but  unfortunately  death  took  place  before  any 
actual  additions  had  been  made  to  the  MS.  left  by  his 
predecessor.  I  have,  on  the  kind  encouragement  of  Mr. 
Sclater,  determined  to  make  an  attempt  to  carry  out  this 
plan  of  my  two  forerunners,  and  the  present  volume  is  the 
result. 

It  must  be  admitted  that  a  handbook  upon  bird  anatomy 
was  more  wanted  at  the  time  that  it  was  first  conceived  by 
Mr.  Garrod  than  it  is  at  the  present  day.  Zoologists  had 
then  nothing  of  a  general  character  save  the  incomplete 
fragment  of  Bronn's  '  Thierreich  '  and  the  sections  devoted 
to  bird  anatomy  in  such  comprehensive  works  as  those  of 
Meckel  and  Cuvier.  We  have  now  two  treatises  of  first- 
rate  merit,  that  of  Fiirbringer  and  Dr.  Gadow's  completion 
of  the  section  '  Aves  '  in  JSronn's  '  Thierreich.'  Professor 


VI  STIirCTUKK    AND  CLASSIFICATION    OF    WKDS 

Garrod's  intended  work  differed  from  either  of  these  in  that 
he  meant  to  preface  it  with  a  detailed  account  of  Gallus.  I 
have  not  thought  it  useful  to  follow  him  in  this  ;  for  we 
have  an  excellent  treatise  dealing  with  one  particular  bird  type 
in  Dr.  Shufeldt's  book  upon  the  '  Kaven.'  Instead  of  this 
I  commence  with  a  general  sketch  of  bird  structure,  purposely 
avoiding  histological  detail  and  the  elaborate  description  of 
anatomical  facts  which  are  not,  in  the  present  state  of  our 
knowledge,  of  great  use  in  classification.  The  main  part  of 
this  book  is  the  account  of  the  structure  of  the  different 
groups  of  birds.  It  was  upon  this  aspect  of  the  subject  that 
Mr.  Garrod  intended  to  dwell  most  fully.  Dr.  Gadow  has 
also  treated  bird  anatomy  from  this  point  of  view  ;  the  con- 
cluding section  of  his  contribution  to  Bronn's  '  Thierreich  '  is 
devoted  to  an  enumeration  of  the  distinguishing  characters 
of  the  groups  of  birds.  I  have,  however,  treated  of  this 
matter  more  fully,  and  have  incorporated  more  facts  (some 
of  them  recorded  for  the  first  time)  in  the  systematic  part  of 
my  book,  than  did  Dr.  Gadow.  I  have  felt  it  to  be  useless 
to  attempt  to  vie  with  Professor  Fiirbringer's  magnificent 
treatise  upon  birds.  To  deal  with  all  the  organs  of  the  body 
as  fully  as  he  has  done  would  require  more  space  than  it 
would  be  probable  that  any  publisher  would  be  disposed  to 
allow  me.  I  believe,  however,  that  I  have  been  able  to  note 
the  principal  facts  in  the  anatomy  of  the  different  orders  of 
birds,  and  that  nothing  of  first-rate  importance  has  been 
omitted. 

Moreover  under  each  section  I  have  referred  to  the 
majority  of  the  memoirs  already  published,  so  that  the  reader 
can  supplement,  where  it  is  necessary,  the  facts  which  I 
myself  detail.  These  references,  I  may  remark,  have  been 
(with  a  few  exceptions)  carefully  verified  ;  and  although  my 
bibliography  of  the  subject  is  not  complete  it  is,  I  hope, 
without  important  deficiencies. 

The  facts  of  bird  structure  contained  in  this  book  are   to 


PUEKACK  vil 

some  extent  drawn  from  published  memoirs  ;  but  the 
majority  of  them,  especially  those  relating  to  osteology  and 
muscular  anatomy,  have  been  verified  by  myself  ;  and  I  have 
also  laid  under  heavy  contribution  the  note  books  of  my  two 
predecessors  already  mentioned.  Some  of  the  more  import- 
ant of  these  facts  are  illustrated  by  woodcuts  and  '  process  ' 
blocks  ;  for  these  I  am  indebted  to  the  liberality  of  the 
Publication  Committee  of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London 
and  to  the  editors  of  the  '  Ibis.' 

Finally,  I  regret  to  have  to  acknowledge  that  in  several 
instances  I  have  used  two  names  for  the  same  bird,  a  fact 
which  I  did  not  discover  in  every  case  until  it  was  too  late 
for  alteration  in  the  text.  I  hope,  however,  that  any  diffi- 
culties arising  from  this  error  on  my  part  will  be  obviated  by 
the  cross  references  in  the  Index. 

FRANK   E.    BEDDARD. 

July  IS'.)*. 


CONTENTS 


PAOK 

THE   GENERAL   STRUCTURE   OF   BIRDS      ...  1 

THE  FOOT .     .  1 

BEAK 4 

FKATHERS       ...........  0 

PTERYLOSIS              ......              ....  14 

ALIMENTARY  CANAL         .........  19 

Tongue         .                                               19 

Teeth .     .  20 

(Esophagus .....  .21 

Stomach  ........ 

Intestine       ........ 

Caeca 30 

Liver    .........  .31 

Gall  Bladder ...  33 

Pancreas       ........ 

Cloaca      .......                           .     .  84 

Bjirsa  Fabricii      ....                                             •  3.r> 

REPRODUCTION   AND    RENAL    ORGANS 36 

THE  CCELOM         .         .                  .                  37 

'CIRCULATORY  SYSTEM      ....  48 

Heart  ...  .48 

Arterial  System       .........  52 

Venous  System    .........  55 

RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM 58 

Trachea        .         .  ...  .58 

Syrinx 60 

Lungs  and  Air  Sacs     .         .         .         .         .         .         .  7 1 

MUSCULAR  ANATOMY 7~> 

Muscles  of  the  Fore  Limb    .......  78 

Muscles  of  the  Hind  Limb       .         .         .         .         .  90 

Muscles  of  the  Neck  and  Trunk 103 

Caudal  Muscles        .........  107 

Abdominal  Muscles 108 

Hyoiclean  Muscles  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .     .  108 

Muscles  of  the  Head     ....                    ...  110 

OSTE()L(><;\                                                                                                                                         .  11] 


J> 


X 


STIJITTTUE    AXT)    CLASSIFICATION    OK    P.IRDS 


PAGE 

Vertebral  Column 

.        Ill 

Pubs 

.     .     119 

The  Shoulder  Girdle    . 

.     1-20 

The  Fore  Limb         ...... 

.    .    I2;j 

Sternum        ....... 
Pelvis                ...... 

.     127 
131 

Hind  Limb  ....... 

.     134 

The  Skull         ... 

.     .     135 

BRAIN  AND  NERVOUS  SYSTEM     .... 

.     151 

THE  AFFINITIES  OF  BIRDS      

.     .     153 

THE    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

.     159 

ORNITHUR.S:      .                           ... 

.    .     167 

ANOMALOGONATJE          ..... 

.     167 

PASSERES         ........ 

172 

PICI     ... 

.     1S3 

Picid*      ........ 

.    .    is:; 

Bucconid*    .                   ..... 

.     LSS 

Rhamphastitlffi         ...... 
Capitonidte  .                   ..... 
ALCEDINES      .                  .                  .... 
COLII  .                                                     .         . 

.     .     189 
.     192 
.     .     197 
.     201 

TROGONES        .                  .         .                  ... 

.     .     202 

CORACLE      .        .         .         . 

.     20  1 

Coraciidu1          ....... 

.     .     204 

Meropidtc      ....... 
Monaotidae        .         .                  .... 

.      -MiS 
.     .     210 

Totliclie 

.     212 
'213 

But  EROTES 

215 

Bucerotidu'       ....                   .         . 
Upupidse       .                  ..... 

.     .     215 
.     222 

MACROCHIIIES          .                  

.     .     224 

<  'APRIMULGI         ... 

.     2;J1 

STRIGES  .             .                          .... 
1'siTT  VCI 

.     .     244 
253 

Cut'ULI      
.MUiOPH.-VGI  ...... 

.     .     272 

.      2H2 

OPISTHOCOMI    .              .                            .                            .              . 

.     .     2N.1 

GALLI  ....                   .         . 

.     291) 

CoLUMBtf:         .                   .                   .         . 

.      .      .",05 

PTEROCLKTKS       ... 

.      ."15 

TURNICKS         .                            

.    .    ;(1(.) 

HALLI  

.     :',21 

OTIDES    .         .                   .                   ... 

.    .    :;:;i 

I.I.MICOL.15     .... 

.     336 

(I'ldicneiuidi!'    .... 

.     .     345 

Parridse 

3-16 

TONTKXTS  XI 


I'AHK 

Chimiididir        .... 

.     .     347 

Thinocoridse 

.     349 

Glareolida;        .... 

350 

LaridiP           .... 

.     350 

ALC.*:       

859 

GRUES          ..... 

366 

(IrnidiP               .... 

366 

llhinochetid;:1 

369 

373 

Psophiidie    .... 

374 

Eurypygidfp     .... 

377 

Aplonmlndu' 

378 

STEREORNITHES  .... 

8H8 

COLVMBI          

386 

HESPERORNITIIES 

892 

Sl'IIKNISCI           ..... 

396 

STEGANOPODES     .... 

.     402 

UKUODIONES    ..... 

.     .     419 

Scopidit- 

.     420 

Ciconiidu'          .... 

.     .     422 

Ardeidn-         .... 

42!) 

Balaeuicepidie  .... 

.     .     433 

Plataleidse    .... 

.     434 

TUBIXAIIES      ..... 

.     .     445 

PALAMEDE.E 

.     451 

ANSERES          

.     .     456 

ICHTHYORNITHES 

.     46!) 

ACC'IPITIIES        

.     .     472 

Falconidsv     .... 

.     472 

Pandionida?     .... 

.     .     478 

Serpentariidit; 

479 

Cathartidio       .... 

481 

TIXAMI 

485 

STKUTHIONES  ..... 

.     .     498 

/EpyornithiJa- 

522 

1  Jinornithidse  .... 

528 

SAI-UITR^E     . 

529 

Saurornithes 

529 

LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 


via.  PA«;P, 

1.  Wing  of  Golden  Plover  (after  Goodchild)           .         ...  10 

2.  a.  Cubital  Reiniges  of  Pheasant,    b.  Cubital  Remiges  of  Golden 

Eagle  (after  Wray) .     .  11 

3.  a.   Maims  of  Ostrich,    showing  Attachment  of  Reiniges.      />. 

Manus    of  Ostrich,   Upper    Surface,  showing  Remiges   and 
Coverts,     c.  Digits  of  Embryo,  showing  Reiniges  and  Coverts 

(after  Wray) 13 

4.  Feather  showing  Aftcrshaft  (after  Sclater)    .         .         .  18 

5.  A,  Lower  Mandible  of  Indian  Darter,   t,  Rudimentary  Tongue. 

-B,  Tongue  in  Profile  (after  Beddard) 20 

6.  Head  of  Lorius,  showing  Extended  Tongue  with  Brush  Tip 

(after  Gar  rod) 20 

1 '.  Intestinal  Loops  (after  Gadow)          ......  24 

8.  Alligator  Mississipicnsis ;  Alimentary  Tract  (after  Clutl  liters 

Mitchell) 26 

9.  Chaunti  chavaria  ;  Alimentary  Tract  (after  Chalmers  Mitchell)  27 

10.  Art/its  yiganteus,    Chick;    Intestinal  Loops   (after  Chalmers 

'  Mitchell) 27 

11.  Casita rius  ;  Intestinal  Tract  (after  Chalmers  Mitchell)   .         .  28 

12.  Struthio  cameltis;  Intestinal  Tract  (after  Chalmers  Mitchell)  28 

13.  Haliaetits  albicilla  ;  Intestinal  Tract  (after  Chalmers  Mitchell)  29 

14.  Ara  ararauna  ;  Intestinal  Tract  (after  Chalmers  Mitchell)     .  29 

15.  Par  us  major  (after  Chalmers  Mitchell)    .....  31 

16.  Alimentary  Viscera  of  the  Indian  Darter  (after  Beddard)    .     .  32 

17.  Duodenum  of  Syrrhaplcs  (after  Brandt) 33 

18.  Duodenum,  Bile  Ducts,  and  Pancreatic  Ducts  of  another  Si/r- 

rhaples  (after  Brandt)        .         .         .         .         .         .  33 

19.  Duodenal  Loops  of  Bhea  amcricana  (after  Gadow)  .         .         .  34 

20.  Duodenal  Loop  of  Rh.  Darwin i  (after  Gadow}     .         .         .     .  34 

21.  Cloaca  of   Chauna  drrbiana  laid  open   from  in   front   (after 

Forbes) .                   .         .         .  35 

22.  Two  Types  of  Bursa  (after  Forbes)                                               .     .  36 

23.  Respiratory  Organs  of  Duck  (after  Huj-lr//}      .                 .         .  s;> 


xiv        STUfCTFKE    AX!)    CLASSIFICATION    OF    JJIIJRS 

rui.  I'A'-I 

'21.  Respiratory  Organs  of  Apteryx  (after  Hu.rlcij)  .  ;-','.» 

23.  Diagrammatic  Transverse  Section  of  Emu,  to  show  the  Projec- 
tion of  Oblique  Septum  (after  Beddard) 40 

26.  Diagram  of  a    Transverse  Section  through    Thorax  of   Duck 

(after  Bed/lard) .41 

27.  Similar  Diagram  of  Crow  (Corvtis  capcllaunx}  (after  Beddard).  41 
2(-'.  Viscera  of  Rook   displayed  by  Removal  of  Abdominal   Walls 

(after  Bed/1 /i nh .     .  42 

29.  Abdominal  Cavity  of  Bit  con- us  (after  Beddard)        ...  44 

yO.  Heart  of  Fowl,  Interior  of  Right  Ventricle  (after  Lankcxtcr)    .  49 
yi.  Heart  of  Aptcryx,  Interior  of  Right  Ventricle  with  Attachment 

of  Papillary  Muscle  cut  through  (after  Lankexler)           .          .  49 

o2.  Normal  Avian  Carotids  (after  Gar  rod) 52 

yy.  Carotids  of  Bittern  (/:ft<'r  Gnrrod) 52 

yi.  Carotids  of  Flamingo  (after  Gnrrod) 52 

y5.  Carotids  of  Cacatna  (after  Garrod) 52 

:-)6.  Carotids  of  Passerine  (after  Garrod) 53 

o7.  Abnormal  Arrangement  of  Carotids,  where  the  Left  is  Super- 
ficial in  Position  (after  Garrod)       .         .                  .                  .  .";; 
:JS.  Windpipe  of  Selcucides  niara  (after  Forbes}          .          .          .     .  5S 
o9.  Breast  Region  of  Man ucodia  (after  Beddard}  .          .          .          .  59 

40.  Syrinx  ot  Indicator,  Enlarged  (after  Garrod}  lil 

41.  Syrinx  of  Cymbirhynchus  (after  Forbes)  .                                     .  (>2 

42.  Syrinx  of  Balceniceps  (after  Beddard)  .         .         .'.         .     .  I'rJ 
4y.  Syrinx  of  Struthio  (after  Forbes)      .         .                                     .  Ii4 

44.  The  same  Syrinx  from  behind        .         .         .         .         .         .     .  (14 

45.  Svrinx  of  Vanella  cayennensis,  from  in  front  (after  Garrod)    .  (515 
4(5.  The  same  from  behind  (after  Ga rro/l) .         .         .                  .     .  67 

47.  Trachea  of  Tantalus  loeulator.    a.  From  Front,    b.  From  Side 

(after  Garrod) UK 

48.  Syrinx  of  Steatorn in.     Front  View  (after  Garrod)        .          .     .  (19 

49.  Tensores  Patagii  of  Pluvnicoptenus  (after  Weldoit)  .                  .  K4 

50.  Muscles  of  Leg  of  Pulainedea.     Outer  View   (after  Beddard 

and  Mitchell)      .                  .         .                  91 

51.  Leg  Muscles  of  Palantedea,  Inner  View,  illustrating  15iceps  and 

its  Sling  (after  Beddard  and  Mitchell) 94 

52.  Leg  Muscles  of  Baleariea.     The  Ambiens  Tendon  is  cut  (after 

Mitchell) 95 

5y.  Leg  Muscles  of  OpisthoComus  (after  Mitchell)           ...  96 

F>4.  Flexor  tendons  of  Gallus  bankiva  (after  Garrod)          .         .     .  100 

55.  Flexor  tendons  of  Ap/eri/.r  Mantelli  (after  Garrod)  .          .         .  100 

56.  Flexor  tendons  of  Tiiuutiiculuy  aUtudaritts  (after  tlarrod}  .     .  101 


LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS  XV 

KM:.  r.\<;\<; 

57.  Fiexor  tendons  oi'  iiuccrox  rltiinn-rrox  (after  Gurroil)        .          .  101 

,08.  Flexor  tendons  of  Meanhrma  (after  Garrod)                   .          .     .  102 

59.  A  Passerine  Foot  (after  Gar  rod)        .         .         .         .         .         .102 

60.  Caudal  Muscles  of  Palaniedea  (after  Beddard  and  Mitchell)   .  107 

61.  Hyoidean  Muscles  of  Opisthocomus  (after  Mitchell)         .         .  109 

62.  Pelvis  of  Apteryx.     From  Beneath  (after  Mivart)         .         .     .  113 

63.  Lumbar  and  Sacral  Vertebra  of  an  Immature  Ostrich    (after 

Mivart) 113 

64.  Ribs,    Sternum,    and    Pelvis    of   Cliuit</a    Burmeiateri    (after 

Beddard) 11-1 

6").  Last  Two  Vertebne  of  Strutliio  (aftt  r  Mirarl)  .         .         .         .  116 

66.  Atlas  of  Emu  (aflcr  Mivart)           ...                   ...  118 

67.  Axis  of  Emu  (after  Mivart)                                                                  .  US 

68.  Atlas  of  Cassowary  (after  Micarl) 118 

69.  Development  of  Shoulder  Girdle  of  Chick  (after  Lindsay)        .  122 

70.  Radius  and  Ulna  of  Metopidi/is  (after  Forbes)     .         ...  125 

71.  Digits  of  Ostrich  (after  Wray) .126 

1'2.  Sternum  of  Lopliophor/ts  i mpeyanus  (after  Hurley)    .  128 

73.  Sternum  of  Podica  sencgalensis  (after  Beddard)       .         .         .  128 

74    Sternum  of  Emu  (after  Mivart) 129 

75.  Pelvis  of  Dinornis  (after  Mivart) iy2 

76.  Hyoid  of  Laihamus  discolor  (after  Mivart)           .                  .     .  137 

77.  Skull  of  Ehca.     Ventral  View  (after  Huxley]    ....  140 

78.  Skull  of  Dacelo  (after  Huxley)      ...                            .     .  l  jo 

79.  Skull  of  Alca  (after  Huxley) .141 

80.  Skull  of  Coi-vtis  (after  Huxley)      .                   141 

81.  Skull  of  Psopliia.     Lateral  View  (after  Beddard)     .         .         .  14iJ 

82.  Skull  of  Larns.     Dorsal  View  (after  Garrod)       .         .         .     .  14;; 
8:j.  Skull  of  Furnarius.     Dorsal  View  (after  Garrod)    .         .         .  14;; 

84.  Skull  of  ChloejjJutga  Magcllanica.     Back  View  (after  (farmd)  146 

85.  Syrinx  of  Etiryhemus.     Front  View  (after  l<\)rl>es)  .         .         .  17y 

86.  Syrinx  of  Cyinbirliyncluts.     Side  View  (after  Forbes)           .     .  17S 

87.  Syrinx  of  Philepitta.     Side  View  (after  Forbes)       .         .         .  181 

88.  Syrinx  of  Philepitta.     Front  View  (after  Forbes)         .         .     .  181 

89.  Svrinxof  Xenictts.  A.  Front  View.  B.  Back  View  (after  Furlirn)  181 

90.  Skull  of  Woodpecker  (Gccinus  viridis).     Ventral   \ie\v  (after 

Garrod)       ...                               ......  187 

91.  Feather  Tracts  of  Mcgaheiiia  aniatiea  (after  Beddard)     .          .  19;j 

92.  Tensores  Patagii  of  Ccrylc  ulcijon  (after  Beddani)        .          .     ,  l<j<) 

93.  Tensores  PaLagii  of  Callalcijon  nifn  (after  Beddard \                   .  ];i<( 
'.14.  Tensores  Patagii  of  Saurojudiy  albicUla  (after  Beddard)     .     . 


XVI        STRUCTURE    AM)    CLASSIFICATION    OF    HIUDS 

Kill.  I'VCR 

95.  Skull  of  Col  ins  eaxfinioiiotus.     Ventral  Aspect  (after  Garrod)  203 

fl6.  Tensoi'es  Patfigii  of  Lcjitosont/ts  (after  Forbes)           .         .          .  206 

97.  Syrinx  of  Lcptosomus  (after  Forbes)    .         .         .         .         .  207 

98.  Foot  of  Todus  (after  Forbes) 213 

99.  Foot  of  Momotiis  (after  Forbes) 213 

100.  Patagial  Muscles  ot  Bueorvus  (after  Beddard)           .          .          .  216 

101.  Leg  Muscles  of  Aceros  (after  Bed/lard) 218 

102.  Syrinx  of  Aceros  nipalensis,     Front  View  (after  Beddard)       .  220 

103.  Syrinx  of  Bucorvits  abijssinicas.     Front  View  (after  Beddard)  221 

104.  Skull  of  Mieropus  melanoleuctis.   Under  View  (after  Sltufeldl)  229 

105.  Anconal  Aspect  of  Left  Humerus  of  Mieropus  melanoleucus 

(after  Shufeldt) .         .         .230 

106.  Palmar  Aspect  of  same  Bone  (after  Shufeldt)       .         .         .     .  230 

107.  Anconal   Aspect   of  Left    Humerus    of    Trochilus    Alej-andri 

(after  Shufeldt} 230 

108.  Palmar  Aspect  of  same  Bone  (after  Shufeld':}      .          .         .     .  230 

109.  Left  Feet  of  Antrostomus  vociferus  and  Nyctidromus  albicollis 

(after  ticlater) 231 

110.  Right  Foot  of  Podara/ts  Cuvieri  (after  Sclater)  .         .         .     .  231 

111.  Powder-down  Patches  of  Podargus  (after  Sclater)   .         .         .  232 

112.  Pterylosis  of  Steatornis  (after  Gat-rod]          .                           .     .  233 

113.  Syrinx  of  Nyctirlromiis  albicollis  (after  Bcddar/1]     .         .         .  235 

114.  Syrinx  of  JEgotlielcs  (after  Beddard]   .         .         .         .         .     .  236 

115.  Syrinx  of  BatracJiostonius  (after  Beddard)        ....  236 

116.  Fatagial  Muscles  of  Ca/primulgus  (after  Garrod]           .         .     .  237 

117.  Corresponding  Muscles  of  Steatornis,  but  of  Left  Wing  (after 

Garrod) 237 

118.  Skull  of  Caprimultjus  (after  Huxley] 238 

119.  Fore  Part  of  Skull  of  Nyctibns  jamaicensls  (after  H n.rleij)       .  239 

120.  Skull  of  Steatornis  (after  Huxley)         ...                   .     .  239 
li'l.  Skull  of  Podargus  (after  Huxley)      .                  ....  240 

122.  Sternum  of  Caprimulgus  (after  Sclater) 241 

123.  Sternum  of  Podargus  (after  Sclater) 241 

124.  Sternum  of  Nyctibius  (after  Sclater)    .         .         .         .              .  241 

125.  Colic  Caeca  of  Plwtodilus  (after  Beddard)          ....  247 

126.  Skulls  of  Strix  and  Bubo  (after  Beddard) 24H 

127.  Right  Foot  of  Strix  (after  Beddard) 249 

128.  Left  Foot  of  Bubo  (after  Beddard) 250 

129.  Syrinx,  of  Scops  leucotis  (after  Beddard) 251 

130.  Syrinx  of  Bubo  (after  Beddard) 251 

131.  liyoid  of  Slritiynps  (after  Micart)    ......  2l>5 


LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS  XVll 


Fir;. 

132.  Hyoid  of  Lorius  flavopalliatus  (after  Mivart)      .         .         .  266 

133.  Hyoid  of  Lorins  doiuicella  (after  Mivart)          ....  267 

134.  Pterylosis    of    Eudynamis    oriental-is.      Ventral   View    (after 

Beddard)    ...........  273 

135.  Pterylosis  of  Piaya  cayana.     Dorsal  View  (after  Beddard)     .  274 

136.  Pterylosis  of  Piaya  cayana.     Ventral  View  (after  Beddard)    .  275 

137.  Syrinx  of  Piaya  cayana  (after  Beddard)  .....  277 

138.  Syrinx  of  Centropus  ateralbus  (after  Beddard)    .         .         .     .  278 

139.  Intestines  of  Corythaix  chlorochlamys  (after  Mitchell)    .         .  283 

140.  Sternum  of  Opisthocomus.     Side  View  (after  Huxley]         .     .  287 

141.  Sternum  of  Opisthocomus.     Front  View  (after  Huxley)  .         .  287 

142.  Syrinx  of  Opisthocomus.     Front  View  (after  Gar  rod)           .     .  289 

143.  Syrinx  of  Pavo  spicifcr.     Front  View  (after  Garrod)       .         .  294 

144.  Syrinx  of  Same.     Back  View  (after  Garrod)         .         .         .     .  294 

145.  Syrinx  of  Callipepla  californica.     Front  View  (after  Garrod)  295 

146.  Syrinx  of  Same.     Back  View  (after  Garrod)    ....  295 

147.  Syrinx  of  Male  Tctrao  tetrix.     Front  View  (after  Garrod)      .  296 

148.  Syrinx  of  Aburria  carunculata.     Front  View  (after  Garrod)  .  297 

149.  Syrinx  of  Same.     Back  View  (after  Garrod)        .         .         .     .  297 

150.  Syrinx  of  Megacephalon  inaleo.     A..  Front   View.     B.    Back 

View  (after  Garrod)        ........  297 

151.  Skull  of  Crax  globicera.     Side  View  (after  Huxley)    .         .     .  300 

152.  Skull  of  Tetrao  urogallus.     Ventral  View  (after  Huxley)         .  301 

153.  Sternum  of  Crax  globicera,  (after  Huxley)    .....  301 

154.  Horizontal  Sections  of  Gizzards  of,  a,  Ptilopusjambu,  6,  Treron 

calva  (after  Garrod)         .         .                   .         .         .         .         .  306 

155.  «,  Gizzard  of  Carpopliaga  latrans.     b,  One  of  Horny  Tubercles 

in  Section  (after  Garrod)    ........  306 

156.  Intestines  of  Colnmba  livia  (after  Mitchell)      ....  307 

157.  Syrinx  of  Carpophaga  latrans  (after  Garrod)      .         .         .     .  310 

158.  Intestines  of  Cariama  cristata  (after  Mitchell)         .         .         .  323 

159.  Intestines  of  Crex  pratcnsis  (after  Mitchell)         .         .         .     .  323 

160.  Deep  Flexor  Tendons  of  Hcliornis  (after  Beddard)  .         .         .  326 

161.  Patagial  Muscles  of  Heliornis  (after  Beddard)     .         .         .     .  326 

162.  Syrinx  of  Podica  senegalensis  (after  Beddard)           .         .         .  327 

163.  Sternum  of  Heliornis.     Ventral  View  (after  Beddard)         .     .  327 

164.  Lateral  View  of  Vertebral  Column,  Pelvis,  and  Sternum  of 

Podica  senegalensis  (after  Beddard)       .....  328 

165.  Skull  of  Podica.     Lateral  View  (after  Beddard)  .         .         .     .  329 

166.  Skull  of  Heliornis.    Ventral  and  Lateral  Views  (after  Beddard)  329 

167.  Skull  of  Podica.  Ventral  View  (after  Bedda  rd)        .         .         .  329 

168.  Under  View  of  Skull  of  Charadrius  pluvialia  (after  Huxley)  .  338 


xviil     STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

Flc;.  I'AGK 

169.  Vomers  of  various  Limicolce  (after  Garrod)         .         .         .     .  339 

170.  Skull  of  Attagis  Gcuji  (after  Gar  rod) 349 

171.  Tensores  Patagii  of  Rliyncliops  (after  Beddard)  .         .         .     .  352 

172.  Tensores  Patagii  of  Larus  argent  at  us   (after  Beddard  from 

Forbes) 353 

173.  Tensores    Patagii    of  Litnda  cirrliata    (after   Beddard  from 

Forbes) 360 

174.  The    same  of   Syntliliborliamplius    antiquus    (after  Beddard 

from  Forbes) 360 

175.  Tensores  Patagii  of  Ceratorliina  monoecrata,  (after  Beddard 

from  Forbes)       ..........  361 

176.  Syrinx  of  Lumvia  troilc  (after  Bedda rd)  .         ....  363 

177.  Syrinx  of  Ceratorliina  monocerata  (after  Beddard)     .         .     .  363 

178.  Certain  Leg  Muscles  of  Eliinoclietus  (after  Beddard)       .         .  370 

179.  Deep  Flexor  Tendons  of  Eliinoclictus  (after  Beddard)          .     .  371 

180.  Muscles  of  Fore  Limb  of  Eliinoclietus  (after  Beddard)     .         .  372 

181.  Syrinx  of  Eliinoclietus  (after  Beddard)         ...         .     .  372 

182.  Skull  of  Cliunga.     Ventral  View  (after  Beddard)     .         .         .373 

183.  Syrinx  of  Psopliia  leucoptera  (after  Beddard)      .         .         .     .  375 

184.  Sternum,  Pelvis,  &c.,  of  Psophia  leucoptera  (after  Beddard)    .  376 

185.  Skull  of  Phororliacos.     lateral  Aspect  (after  Andrews)       .     .  384 

186.  Skull  of  Phororliacos.     Dorsal  Aspect  (after  Andrews)    .         .  385 

187.  Pelvis  of  Phororhacos.     Dorsal  Aspect  (after  Andrews)        .     .  385 

188.  Syrinx  of  jEclimoplwrus  (after  Beddard)          ....  388 

189.  Syrinx  of  Taeliybaptes  (after  Beddard) 388 

190.  Origin  of  Biceps  in  Pelccanus  and  Phalacrocorax  (after  Filr- 

bringer) •         .  405 

191.  Skull  of  Fregata.     Ventral  Aspect  (after  Beddard)      .         .     .  410 

192.  Skull  of  Phaeton  (after  Beddard) 411 

193.  Stomach  of  Levaillant's  Darter  (after  Garrod)     .         .         .     .  414 

194.  Syrinx  of  Scopus  (after  Beddard) 421 

195.  Deep  Plantar  Tendons  of  Scopus  (after  Beddard)         .         .     .  421 

196.  Deep  Plantar  Tendons  of  8co%>us  (after  Beddard)     .         .         .  421 

197.  Syrinx  of  Leptoptilus  (after  Weldon)    .         .         .         .         .     .  422 

198.  Syrinx  of  Dissura  episcopus  (after  Beddard)    ....  423 

199.  Syrinx  of  Abdimia  splienorliynclia  (after  Beddard)     .         .     .  423 

200.  Syrinx  of  Xenorhynchus  senegalensis  (after  Beddard)     .         .  424 

201.  Convoluted  Windpipe  of  Tantalus  ibis  (after  Garrod)         .     .  426 

202.  Ventral  Surface  of  Skull  of  Ardea  cinerea  (after  Huxley)         .  432 

203.  Syrinx  of  Baltrniceps.     Front  View  (a_ ftcr  Beddard)    .         .     .  433 

204.  The  same.     Back  View  (after  Beddard)   .                                     .  433 


LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS  XIX 

FIG.  I'A"K 

205.  Syrinx  of  Balaniceps,  arranged  to  display  Pessulus  and  Mcin- 

brana  Tympaniforinis  (after  Beddard)       .         .         ...  434 

206.  Windpipe  of  Platalea,  ajaja  (after  Garrod)       ....  430 

207.  Intestines  of  Platalea  leucorodia  (after  Mitchell)          .         .     .  437 

208.  Intestines  of  Ciconia  nigra  (after  Mitchell)      ....  437 

209.  Syrinx  of  Phcenicopterus  (after  Weldori) 440 

210.  Intestines  of  Fulmarus  glacial-is  (after  Mitchell)     .         .         .  446 

211.  Skull  of  Diomcdea  exulans  (after  Huxley)  .         ....  449 

212.  Skull  of  Procellaria  gigantea  (after  Huxley)    ....  449 

213.  Caeca  of  Chauna  chavaria  (after  Beddard)  .....  4f>3 

214.  Windpipe  of  Palamedea  '(after  Beddard  and  Mitchell)     .         .  454 

215.  Skull  of  Chauna  derbiana.     Ventral  Aspect  (after  Garrod)      .  455 
21(5.  Mouth  of  Biziura  lobata  (after  Forbes)        .         .         .         .     .  458 

217.  Biceps  of  Femoris  of  Duck  (Bi),  to  show  its  Relations  to  Gas- 

trocneinius  (after  Weldon)      .......  400 

218.  Windpipe  of  Sarcidiornis  melanota  <?  (after  Garrod)           .     .  461 

219.  Same  of  S.  inclanota  ?  (after  Garrod)     .....  461 

220.  Same  of  Rhodonessa  caruorjhyllacea  ?   (after  Garrod)        .     .  46.1 

221.  Syrinx  of  R.  carijophyllacea  $  (after  Garrod)          .         .         .  462 

222.  Windpipe  of  Metopiana  peposaca  $  (after  Garrod)     .         .     .  463 

223.  Syrinx  of  Biziura  S  (after  Forbes) 464 

224.  Skull  of  Qiu-rqucdula  crecca.     Lateral  View  (after  Huxley)    .  467 

225.  Ventral  View  of  Same 467 

226.  Tensores  Patagii  of  Polyboroidcs  (after  Beddard)     .         .         .  472 

227.  Tensores  Patagii  of  Serpentarius  (after  Beddard)         .         .     .  480 

228.  Skull  of  Serpentarius  (after  Huxley) 481 

229.  Windpipe  of  Condor  (after  Beddard) 483 

230.  Skull  of  Cathartes  aura  (after  Huxleij) 483 

231.  Cseca  of  Calodromas  elegans  (after  Beddard)       .         .         .     .  488 

232.  Cseca  of  Nothura  macidosa  (after  Beddard)     ....  488 

233.  Skull  of  Tina»u<srobust'us  (after  Huxley) 490 

234.  Tongue  and  Windpipe  of  Rhea  Darwini  (after  Gadow)    .         .  505 

235.  Syrinx  of  Aptcryx  Mantelli.     Front  View  (after  Forbes)     .     .  507 

236.  The  same,  from  behind      ....                   .                   .  507 

237.  Syrinx  of  Rhca  americana.     Front  View  (after  For bes)      .     .  508 

238.  The  same,  from  behind       ...                   ....  508 

239.  Sj-rinx  of  Casuarius  galeatus.     Front  View  (after  Forbes) .     .  509 

240.  The  same,  from  behind 509 

241.  Tracheal  Pouch  of  Emu  cut  open  (after  Mitrie)    .         .         .     .  510 

242.  Sternum  of  Rhea  (a  fter  Mivart)                  512 

243.  Pelvis  of  Rhca  (after  Mivart)                 .                  .                  .     .  513 


XX         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 


244.  Skull  of  Emu  (after  Huxley)     .......  514 

245.  Pelvis  of  Emu  (after  Mivart)         .......  515 

'24(5.  Sternum  of  Cassowary  (after  Mivart)        ...  .  516 

'247.  Pelvis  of  Cassowary  (after  Mivart)       ......  517 

248.  Skull  of  Ostrich  (after  Huxley)  ......  518 

249.  Sternum  of  Ostrich  (after  Mivart)         ......  519 

250.  Pelvis  of  Ostrich  (after  Mivart)          ......  519 

251.  Shoulder  Girdle  of  ^Epyornis  (after  Andrews)      .         ...  523 

252.  Diagram  of  Eelationsliips  of  Strutkiones  (after  T.  J.  Parker)  527 


THE 

STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION 


OF 


BIRDS 


THE   GENERAL  STRUCTURE   OF  BIRDS 

As  the  aim  of  the  present  work  is  to  detail  the  characteristics 
of  the  various  groups  of  birds,  I  do  not  propose  in  this 
section  to  do  more  than  give  a  general  account  of  bird 
anatomy.  A  fuller  description  will  be  found  in  the  part 
relating  to  birds  by  Dr.  GADOW,  in  Bronn's  '  Klassen  und 
Ordnungen  des  Thierreichs,'  where  much  that  will  be  found 
here  in  the  accounts  of  the  several  families  of  birds  is 
treated  of  in  the  introductory  chapters.  The  greater  part  of 
this  I  deliberately  omit,  to  save  repetition. 

The  Foot 

The  feet  of  birds  show  a  large  amount  of  variation, 
which  is  not  for  the  most  part  of  great  value  in  the  deter- 
mination of  affinities.  That  the  older  naturalists  paid  great 
attention  to  these  facts  is  evident  from  the  names  Palmipedes, 
Cursores,  &c.  No  bird  has,  save  for  abnormalities,  such  as 
the  Dorking  fowl,  more  than  four  toes.  The  opposite  ex- 
treme is  reached  by  the  ostrich,  which  has  only  two.  That 
the  three-toed  and,  a  fortiori,  the  two-toed  condition  has 
been  arrived  at  by  a  reduction  from  four  toes  seems  to  be 
shown  by  the  condition  of  the  feet  in  certain  petrels,  where, 

B 


2  STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

as  shown  by  FORBES,  a  rudiment  of  the  missing  toe  is 
present  in  the  shape  of  a  nodule,  or  of  two  nodules,  of  bone, 
hidden  in  extreme  cases  beneath  the  skin,  and  only  appear- 
ing externally  as  a  small  wart  with  no  claw.  In  Phebcetria 
there  is  an  advance  upon  this,  since  there  is  externally  a 
minute  claw,  and  beneath  the  skin  two  minute  nodules  of 
bone.  In  the  woodpeckers,  Picoides  and  Tiga,  commonly 
spoken  of  as  three-toed  birds,  there  is  a  similar  vestige  of 
the  fourth  toe.  On  the  other  hand  this  does  not  apply  to 
all  three-toed  birds.  In  Rkea,  Tetrax,  and  Pelecanoides 
FORBES  searched  in  vain  for  a  trace  of  the  missing  toe.  The 
toes  of  the  bird's  foot  are  arranged  in  different  fashions, 
giving  rise  to  more  than  one  form  of  foot.  When  there  are 
only  three  toes  they  are  all  directed  forwards,  except  in 
Picoides,  where  the  last  is  directed  backwards  ;  but  then,  as 
already  stated,  this  bird  has  a  rudimentary  hallux,  and  it 
conforms  therefore  to  the  type  seen  in  other  woodpeckers. 
AVhen  there  are  four  toes  they  are  rarely  all  turned  forwards  ; 
this  is  the  case,  however,'  with  the  swifts.  Most  commonly 
the  hallux  is  turned  more  or  less  completely  backwards  ; 
this  is  so  with  the  passerines  and  with  many  other  birds. 
In  what  is  termed  the  zygodactyle  foot,  e.g.  the  woodpeckers, 
both  the  first  and  the  fourth  toes  are  turned  backwards,  and 
thus  an  effective  grasping  organ  is  produced. 

An  anomalous  form  of  zygodactylism,  termed  hetero- 
dactylism  by  some,  is  offered  by  the  trogons,  where  the 
second  toe  is  turned  back.  Syndactylism  is  an  expression 
used  to  describe  toes  which  are  united  together  for  a  longer 
or  shorter  distance,  such  as,  for  example,  the  todies  and 
kingfishers.  Further  details  in  the  form  of  foot  will  be 
found  under  the  descriptions  of  the  several  families. 

In  many  birds  the  toes  are  perfectly  free  from  each  other 
up  to  their  attachment  to  the  metatarsals.  In  others  there 
is  a  condition  known  as  webbing,  where  a  scale-covered 
skin  is  stretched  between  the  toes.  This  may  be  feebly 
developed,  as  in  many  wading  birds,  or  complete,  as  in  swim- 
ming birds,  such  as  the  duck.  The  extreme  state  of  webbing 
is  seen  in  the  pelican  tribe,  where  all  the  four  toes  are 


THE   FOOT  3 

united  by  webs — in  the  ducks  only  three  being  thus  united, 
and  the  hallux  free.  The  coots  have  a  form  of  webbing 
which  is  characterised  by  applying  the  term  '  lobate  '  to  the 
foot.  Each  toe  in  the  case  of  a  lobate  foot  is  bordered  by  a 
flat  expansion  of  skin,  but  there  is  no  connection  between 
the  borders  of  adjacent  toes.  The  foot  is  covered  to  a  vary- 
ing degree  with  a  horny  integument,  which  is  arranged  as 
larger  or  smaller  flat  scales,  or  as  granules  of  various  shapes 
and  sizes.  This  scutellation  sometimes  extends  on  to  the 
tibia  ;  it  generally  occupies  the  tarsus  as  well  as  the  foot 
proper  ;  the  other  extreme  is  shown  by  Syrrhaptes,  where 
feathering  extends  down  to  the  last  digits  of  the  foot.  The 
form  of  these  is  sometimes  useful  in  classification,  as  in  the 
Passeres  (q.v.)  The  digits  are  armed  with  claws,  which  are 
straighter  in  wading  birds,  and  very  curved  in  the  birds  of 
prey.  Their  relative  lengths  vary  ;  in  the  larks,  for  example, 
and  in  the  cuckoo  (Ccntropiis)  that  of  the  hind  toe  is  enor- 
mously long.  The  middle  toe  is  often  serrated,  as  in  herons, 
owls,  and  goatsuckers,  &c. 

The  order  of  the  toes  may  be  almost  always  settled  by 
counting  the  number  of  the  phalanges.  This  is  progressive, 
the  first  toe  having  two  phalanges,  the  second  three,  the 
third  four,  and  the  fourth  five.  To  this  general  rule  there 
are  a  few  exceptions.  I  have  described  in  the  owl  (Plwto- 
dilux}  only  four  phalanges  in  the  last  (fourth  toe),  a  state  of 
affairs,  however,  which  is  plainly  due  to  a  fusion  between 
the  two  first  phalanges.  The  goatsuckers  (of  genus  Capri- 
uinhiiis  and  allied  forms)  have  a  digital  formula  of  2,  3,  4,  4. 
In  many  Tubinares  the  formula  is  1,  3,  4,  5.  In  the  swifts 
the  toes  are  still  further  reduced,  for  we  have  in  that  group 
the  digital  formula  2,  3,  3,  3.  Pterocles  has  a  digital  formula 
agreeing  with  that  of  Caprinuth/iis.  ZEHNTNER  '  has  lately 
shown  'that  the  digital  formula  of  the  swifts  is  due  to 
reduction  ;  he  has  found,  in  fact,  in  Cypselus  niclba,  in  a 
certain  stage  of  development,  four  phalanges  in  each  of 
digits  3  and  4,  in  which  stage,  therefore,  the  bird  is  only 
one  digit  short  of  the  normal. 

1  'Beitriige  zur  Entwicklung  von  Cypseius  melba,'  Arch.f.  Natury.  1890. 

B  2 


4  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

A  comparison  of  the  varied  forms  of  feet  among  birds 
has  an  important  bearing  upon  the  origin  of  the  foot.  From 
this  follows  some  insight  into  the  nature  of  the  life  led  by 
the  possessors  of  the  most  primitive  form  of  foot.  The 
matter  has  been  put  forward  in  a  clear  fashion  by  FiNN,1 
and  in  a  correspondence  which  his  paper  elicited.  As  all  the 
evidence  at  our  disposal  seems  to  show  that  the  four-toed 
foot  is  the  more  primitive,  we  have  to  decide  whether  the 
palmate  foot  of  the  pelicans  or  the  grasping  foot  of  the 
passerine  is  the  earlier,  or  whether  some  modification  of 
these,  such  as  the  zygodactyle,  or  four-toed  foot  with  a 
rudimentary  hallux,  is  the  more  primitive.  The  four-toed 
foot  of  the  Steganopodes  is  often  figured  as  if  all  the  toes  were 
directed  forwards,  but  this  is  really  not  the  case  ;  they  are, 
as  in  terrestrial  birds  with  a  more  or  less  rudimentary 
hallux,  directed  at  least  sideways.  This  seems  to  argue  that 
the  original  form  of  the  foot  was  as  it  is  now  in  the  Passeres, 
a  fact  which  is  still  further  enforced  by  the  foot  of  Arch&o- 
pteryx  (see  below) .  The  more  purely  terrestrial  the  birds  are 
the  more  rudimentary  is  the  hallux,  until  in  the  purely 
terrestrial  bustards  the  hallux  has  disappeared  altogether, 
and  in  the  ostrich,  most  terrestrial  of  birds,  the  second  toe 
has  vanished  also.  Among  the  gallinaceous  birds,  moreover, 
the  more  arboreal  forms,  the  Cracidas  and  Megapodida?,  the 
hallux  is  better  developed  than  in  those  that  do  not  roost  in 
trees.  That  the  zygodactyle  foot  is  a  further  modification  of 
the  anisodactyle  seems  to  be  shown  by  the  transitional  state 
of  the  owls,  which  '  always  perch  in  the  zygodactyle  position,' 
the  fourth  toe  being  capable  of  reversion. - 


Beak 

In  all  existing  birds  the  upper  and  lower  mandibles   are 
invested  with  a  horny  sheath,  the  beak.     The  form  of  this 

1  '  The  Significance  of  the  Bird's  Foot,'  Natural  Science,  June  1894  ;  see 
also  July  and  September  Nos.  of  the  same  periodical  for  further  notes  and 
correspondence  on  the  matter. 

-  A.  REICHEXOW,  '  Die  Fussbildungen  der  Vogel,'  J-  f-  O.  1871,  p.  401. 


BEAK  C 

beak  has  been  used  by  ornithologists  for  systematic  purposes, 
and  whole  groups  of  birds  have  received  their  names  from 
this  shape,  e.g.  dentirostres,  lamellirostres,  &c.  The  bill, 
however,  varies  so  greatly  in  admittedly  allied  birds  that  its 
use  for  classificatory  purposes  is  not  great.  As  a  striking 
instance  of  this  may  be  mentioned  the  Limicolae  ;  we  see 
there  the  spatulate  bill  of  Euonyrhynchus,  like  a  diminutive 
spoonbill,  the  upturned  bill  of  Recurvirostra,  the  sideways- 
turned  bill  of  Anarhrynchus,  the  longer  lower  mandible  of 
Rhynchops,  and  the  ibis-like  bill  of  Numenius.  GADOW  has 
used  for  classificatory  purposes  the  complex  or  simple  con- 
dition of  the  beak.  In  some  birds,  e.g.  liatitae,  the  horny 
she'ath  is  composed  of  several  pieces  ;  in  others,  the  majority, 
this  is  not  the  case.  In  birds  of  prey  and  in  parrots  there 
is  present  a  structure  which  has  been  termed  the  cere  :  this 
is  simply  the  basal  part  of  the  beak,  which  has  remained  soft. 
Its  occurrence  in  those  two  groups  of  birds  does  not  appear 
to  be  significant  of  any  close  affinity. 

The  lamellirostres  afford  another  example  of  how  dan- 
gerous it  is  to  attempt  any  decision  as  to  affinities  from  the 
form  of  this  organ.  It  has  been  insisted  that  one  reason  for 
regarding  the  flamingo  as  a  long-legged  duck  is  the  existence 
of  lamellae  along  the  beak ;  but  this  feature  is  also  met  with 
in  the  stork,  Anastomiis,  to  which  group  moreover  the  bird 
is  now  more  generally  believed  to  be  related.  The  puffin  is 
nearly  exceptional 1  in  the  periodical  moulting  of  a  portion  of 
the  bill;  but  the  pelican  (P.  trachyrhynchus)  casts  annually 
an  excrescence  upon  the  top  of  the  upper  beak.  Sexual 
dimorphism  in  the  bill  is  rare,  but  is  exhibited  in  a  marked 
way  in  HeteralocJia,  where  the  female  has  a  long  and  down- 
wardly curved  bill,  while  that  of  the  male  is  shorter  and 
straighter.2 

1  Several  auks  (g.r.)  do  so,  and  it  has  been  asserted  of  the  penguins. 
•  See  in  this  matter  and  for  variations  EIILKKS,  Zool.  Miscell.  i.  (Gottingen, 
1894). 


6  STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


Feathers l 

A.  bird  may  be  known  by  its  feathers  ;  to  define  a  bird  it 
is  only  necessary  to  refer  to  its  covering  of  feathers.  No 
other  animal  has  any  structures  comparable  to  a  well- 
developed  feather.  It  is  true  that  the  filo-plumes  are  really 
little  more  than  hairs.  But  the  processes  of  development 
serve  to  place  a  fundamental  barrier  between  the  two  kinds 
of  structures. 

A  hair  commences  as  a  thickening  of  the  stratum 
Malpighii,  which  grows  downwards  into  the  dermis  ;  a  feather 
is  from  the  first  a  slight  papilla  involving  the  outer  layers  of 
the  epidermis  as  well  as  the  stratum  Malpighii,  a  papilla 
which  is  surrounded  by  a  circular  depression.  This  papilla 
gradually  sinks  down  into  the  skin  and  assumes  a  cylindrical 
form.  The  cells  of  the  Malpighian  layer  commence  to  pro- 
liferate vigorously,  and  form  a  series  of  thickened  folds 
disposed  radially  to  the  longitudinal  axis  of  the  feather 
papilla,  and  towards  the  central  pulpa.  These  radially 
arranged  masses  of  cells  undergo  a  process  of  cornification, 
free  themselves  from  the  overlying  cells  of  the  horny  layer  of 
the  epidermis,  and  produce  a  bundle  of  horny  fibres — the 
embryonic  down.  The  feathers  may  retain  this  embryonic 
character  throughout  life,  or  further  changes  may  take  place. 
This  consists  in  the  formation  below  the  first  feather  follicle 
of  a  second  in  continuity  with  it ;  in  this  a  feather  is 
developed,  which  may  be  a  down  feather,  like  the  first  formed, 
or  may  grow  into  one  of  the  stronger  varieties  of  feathers  to 
be  described  presently.  In  either  case  the  growing  feather 
pushes  the  down  before  it,  and  the  latter  is  ultimately  thrown 
off. 

The  structure  of  feathers  has  been  described  at  length  by 

1  H.  E.  DAVIES,  '  Beitrag  zur  Entwicklungsgeschichte  der  Feeler,'  Morph.  J.B. 
xiv.  1888,  p.  368,  and  'Die  Entwicklungsgesch.  d.  Feder,'  etc.  ibid.  xv.  Issn, 
p.  5GO  ;  C.  R.  HEXXICKE,  '  Die Entwieklung  d.  Feder,'  MonatsscJn:  dcntscli.  Ver. 
Vogclscli.  xiv.  ISN'.I,  p.  223  ;  K.  KLKK,  '  Ban  und  Enlwicklung  der  Feder,' 
Zeitsclir.  f.  d.  gcs.  Naturw.  lix.  p.  110  ;  see  also  GADOW,  article  '  Feather'  in 
NEWTON'S  Diet,  of  Birds. 


FEATHERS  7 

NITZSCH,  and  among  recent  writers  more  especially  by 
WE  AY.1  A  typical  feather  consists  of  the  stern  or  rhachis, 
of  which  the  lower  '  quill '  region  is  termed  the  calamus. 
From  the  rhachis  above  the  calamus  spring  a  series  of  lateral 
branches,  the  rarni  or  barbs,  which  in  turn  give  rise  to 
barbules,  and  they  to  minute,  often  hooked,  processes,  the 
barbicels.  At  the  junction  of  the  calamus  with  the  barb- 
beariiig  rhachis  arises  in  many  feathers  an  aftershaft  (fig. 
4),  which  has  the  character  of  a  second  smaller  feather 
arising  from  the  shaft  of  the  first  ;  but  in  the  cassowary, 
emu,  and  the  extinct  Dinornis  this  aftershaft  is  as  large  as 
the  main  feather  from  which  it  arises.  The  barbicels  with 
their  terminal  hamuli  give  the  stiffness  to  the  feather  which 
is  caused  by  the  interlocking  of  these  processes.  The  bar- 
bules are  of  two  sorts,  those  nearest  to  the  root  of  the  barb 
being  different  from  those  nearest  to  its  tip.  The  former 
are  shaped  something  like  a  knife  blade ;  they  are  thickened 
above  and  bent  in  the  middle,  gradually  tapering  away  to 
a  fine  point  ;  just  in  the  middle,  where  the  bend  is,  are 
two  or  three  small  teeth  on  the  upper  margin.  It  is  by 
means  of  these  teeth  that  successive  barbules  are  locked 
together.  The  remaining  set  of  barbules  are  frayed  out 
towards  the  end  into  a  series  of  branchlets  which  are 
hooked  at  first,  but  the  more  distal  set  are  merely  fine- 
pointed  branchlets  ;  these  arise  obliquely,  so  that  a  given 
barbule  comes  into  relation  with  four  or  five  other  barbules. 

All  feathers,  however,  have  not  so  complicated  a  structure. 
The  strong  wing  feathers  of  the  cassowary  consist  of  the 
stem  alone.  Filoplumes  have  but  few  radii,  consisting 
almost  alone  of  the  calamus  and  rhachis; 

Down  feathers  are  as  a  rule  without  the  hamuli  ;  often 
the  radii  spring  at  once  from  the  calamus,  there  being 
no  rhachis.2  A  peculiar  form  of  these  feathers,  called 

1  '  On  the  Structure  of  the  Barbs,  Barbules,  and  Barbicels  of  a  Typical 
Pennaceous  Feather,'  Ibis,  1887,  p.  420. 

-  The  term  neossoptiles  has  been  applied  to  the  down  covering  the  newly 
hatched  young  of  many  birds,  in  contradistinction  to  telcoptiles,  the  feathers 
(down  or  contour)  of  the  adult  bird. 


8  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

'  powder  down  feathers,'  }  is  found  in  many  birds  belonging 
to  quite  different  groups  ;  they  are  usually  aggregated  into 
special  patches.  These  are  simply  down  feathers  of  which 
the  tops  continually  break  down  into  a  dusty  matter. 
These  powder  down  patches  have  been  asserted  to  be  lumi- 
nous in  the  heron,  and  to  aid  it  in  attracting  its  prey  ;  but 
the  assertion  seems  to  be  void  of  truth. 

The  feathers  of  birds  are,  with  a  few  exceptions,  coloured 
either  by  the  deposition  of  pigments  alone,  or  by  optical 
tints  derived  from  the  actual  structure  of  the  feathers  shown 
up  against  a  basis  of  dark  pigment.  The  colours  of  birds' 
feathers  have  been  chiefly  investigated  by  CHUECH,  KKTJKEN- 
BERG,  and  GADOW,2  to  whose  papers  the  reader  is  referred. 

The  arrangement  of  the  feathers  upon  the  wing  requires 
a  special  description.  They  have  been  carefully  studied  by 
the  late  Mr.  WRAY,S  from  whose  paper  both  the  informa- 
tion and  some  of  the  explanatory  illustrations  have  been 
drawn.  In  the  wing  of  the  wild  duck  there  is,  as  in  all 
birds,  a  fringe  of  stout  quills  known  as  the  remiges.  These 
are  attached  to  the  fore-arm  and  to  the  hand.  The  border 
of  the  ulna,  to  which  they  are  fixed,  constantly  bears  impres- 
sions of  the  quills.  Here  the  feathers  stand  out  at  right 
angles  to  the  bone ;  in  the  hand  they  become  more  and 
more  inclined  forwards  until  the  last  of  the  series  lies  parallel 
with  the  bone  (phalanx  2  of  digit  II.)  which  bears  it.  Of 
these  remiges  it  is  usual  to  term  those  which  are  inserted 
upon  the  ulna  the  secondaries,  and  those  upon  the  hand 
proper  primaries.  But  the  term  cubitals  is  gaining  ground 
as  an  expression  for  the  secondaries  of  many  writers.  The 
first  of  the  remiges  is  much  smaller  than  the  others,  and 
has  been  called  the  remide ;  it  nevertheless  belongs  to  the 
series  of  remiges.  The  rest  of  the  feathers  of  the  wing  are 
known  as  the  coverts  or  tectrices.  There  are  four  series  of 

1  L.  STIEDA,  '  Uber  den   Bau  cler  Puderdunen  der  Rohrdrornmel,'  Arch.  f. 
Anat.  u.  Phys.  1870,  p.  104. 

-  GADOW,  in  Bronn's  Thicrreich  ('Aves  '),  treats  of  the  matter  in  considerable 
detail. 

3  '  On  some  Points  in  the  Morphology  of  the  Wing  of  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1887 
p.  343. 


FEATHERS  9 

these,  which  successively  overlap  each  other  and  the  remiges. 
The  first  series  on  the  upper  aspect  of  the  wing  are  the 
tect rices  majores,  which  have  a  perfectly  definite  relation  to 
the  remiges,  there  being  one  for  each  remex.  To  this  state- 
ment there  is  in  the  duck  a  single  exception  ;  this  exception 
is  the  fifth  cubital  (reckoning,  as  it  is  customary  to  do,  from 
the  carpus)  ;  this  remex  appears,  by  reason  of  the  fact  that 
there  is  a  gap  and  that  the  tectrix  is  present,  to  be  absent. 
On  the  under  surface  of  the  wing  there  is  a  corresponding 
row  of  lower  tectrices  majores.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the 
reference  of  the  remicle  to  the  series  remiges  is  justified  by 
its  having  its  proper  complement  of  tectrices  majores. 

Next  to  the  tectrices  majores  comes  a  row  of  feathers, 
the  tectrices  medice.  These  are  also  present  on  the  under 
surface ;  the  set  of  both,  however,  is  not  complete,  that  of 
the  second  metacarpal  being  wanting  on  the  upper  surface, 
and  the  distal  four  or  five  of  the  manus  on  the  lower  surface. 
The  next  row  on  the  upper  face  of  the  wing  is  quintuple, 
and  the  feathers  composing  the  five  tiers  are  known  as 
the  tectrices  minor es.  They  are  scantily  represented  on 
the  manus,  where  in  fact  there  is  not  room  for  them,  they 
being  developed  on  the  skin  covering  the  muscles  and  on 
the  patagium  of  the  wing.  This  row  of  feathers  passes  on 
to  the  humerus  and  becomes  there  partly  specialised  into 
two  rows ;  the  lower  of  these  (sometimes  called  parapteron) 
are  long  feathers  suggestive  of  remiges,  while  the  row  im- 
mediately above  bears  the  same  relation  to  the  pseudo- 
remiges  as  the  tectrices  majores  do  to  the  true  remiges.  On 
the  ventral  surface  of  the  wing  are  similar  tectrices  minores 
with  a  similar  specialisation  of  an  hypopteron  (representing 
the  parapteron  above,  and  sometimes  called  axillaries),  with 
its  row  of  special  coverts.  The  patagium  is  mainly  filled 
up  with  several  rows  of  feathers,  which  are  collectively 
termed  the  marginals ;  anteriorly,  upon  the  pollex,  they 
form  together  with  the  anterior  feathers  of  the  minores  the 
so-called  ala  spuria.  The  ala  spuria  is  specialised  into  four 
small  quills  with  coverts,  the  specialisation  being  quite  like 
that  of  the  numerals  at  the  other  extremity  of  the  wing. 


10 


STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


So  much  then  for  the  arrangement  of  the  feathers  in  the 
typical  bird  selected  ;  we  must  now  consider  the  divergencies 
from  this  constituted  normal.  The  fifth  cubital,  absent  in 


FIG.  1. — WING  OF  GOLDEN  PLOVER  (AFTEB  GOODCHILD). 

1-1',  posterior  border  ;  2-2',  anterior  border  ;  .1,  remiges  ;  fi,  greater  whm  coverts  :  ' '.  L>. 
median  coverts:  E,  /•',  rrmuiniiiir  euverts. 

the  wild  duck,  is  often  present  in  birds.  The  terms  '  quin- 
cubital  '  and  '  aquincubital  '  have  been  devised  to  express 
these  facts.  The  following  groups  are  quincubital :  ' 

Crypturi,  Galli,  Rhinochetidae,  Cuculi,  many  Picarians. 
On  the  other  hand  aquincubital  birds  are— 

ColymbidaB,  Tubinares,  Steganopodes,  Herodiones,  Acci- 
pitres,  Anseres,  &c. 

The  majority  of  birds,  in  fact,  have  not  the  fifth  cubital 
remex.  The  most  remarkable  fact  about  this  missing 
rernex  is  that  it  is  either  absent  or  present  ;  in  no  case  are 
there  any  intermediate  conditions,  such  as  a  small  remex. 


See  SCLATEB,  'Remarks  on  the  Fifth  Cubital  Remex,'  &c..  Ibis  (6),  ii.  1890, 


p.  77. 


FKAT11KKS 


11 


The  only  explanation,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  of  this 
remarkable  state  of  affairs  is  contained  in  a  suggestive  paper 
by  DEGEX.'  DEGEN  commences  with  the  assumption  that  in 
the  hands  of  the  primitive  bird  all  three  fingers — then  freely 
movable — were  furnished  with  remiges.  In  modern  birds 
remiges  are  only  attached  to  the  thumb  (ala  spuria)  and  to 
digit  II.  DEGEN  also  postulates  a  fourth  finger  (of  which 
rudiments  have  been  discovered  in  modern  birds  ;  see  below) 
with  its  remiges. 

When  the  metacarpal  bones  became  fused  the  feathers 
of  the  third  and  fourth  digits  were,  he  supposed,  forced  back 


FIG.  2. — a.  CUBITAL  BEMIGES  OF  PHEASANT,     b.  CUBITAL  KEMIGKS 

OF  GOLDEN  EAGLE  (AFTEU  WKAY). 
li  1-7,  remiges  :  />.<„',  <lovsal  tectris  major  :  J7,  ulim. 

upon  the  ulna,  as  there  was  no  longer  any  room  for  their 
coexistence  with  those  of  the  second  digit  upon  the  com- 
pressed hand.  Among  these  the  carpal  remex  was  also 
pushed  back.  As  this  remex  was  attached  to  an  unstable 
bone  or  cartilage,  its  position  was  not  secured,  and  the  varia- 
bility remained  when  the  feather  altered  its  position  ;  hence 
the  presence  or  absence  of  the  fifth  remex,  which  is  this 
feather. 

The  carpal  remex  is  another  variable  feather.    It  is  present 

1  '  On  some  of  the  Main  Features  in  the  Evolution  of  the  Bird's  Wing,'  Bull. 
Brit.  Orn.  Club,  July  1894  (published  in  I&is).  See  also  for  quincubitalism 
GEKBE,  '  Sur  les  Plumes  de  Vol  et  leur  Mue,'  Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  Fr.  ii.  Iw77, 
p.  289. 


12  STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

and  fully-sized  in  Nothura.  It  is  occasionally  present  but 
small,  and  sometimes  even  with  its  covert  altogether  absent. 
The  remiges  themselves  vary  in  number  apart  from  the 
presence  or  absence  of  the  fifth  cubital,  but  not  within 
very  wide  limits.  Struthio  and  the  penguin  alone  are 
exceptional,  and  will  be  treated  of  separately  and  later. 
GADOW  has  published  a  useful  table  showing  the  number  of 
the  primaries  in  a  very  large  assortment  of  birds  belonging 
to  all  orders.  The  number  of  primaries  varies  only  between 
ten  and  twelve.  The  number  of  metacarpals  has  also  a 
small  range  of  variation,  the  smallest  number  presenting 
six  and  the  largest  eight.  Casuarius  having  an  abbreviated 
hand  is  still  further  reduced,  the  primaries  being  only  two 
and  the  secondaries  five.  The  largest  number  of  metacarpals, 
eight,  is  possessed,  however,  by  Apteryx,  with  an  abbreviated 
hand,  and  by  Struthio.  Seven  metacarpals  are  found  in  the 
grebes,  flamingoes,  and  several,  but  not  all,  the  genera  of 
storks.  All  other  birds  have  six. 

The  two  prominent  exceptions  to  the  foregoing  state- 
ments are,  as  has  been  already  mentioned,  Struthio  and  the 
Spheniscidse.  In  the  ostrich  (see  fig.  3)  there  are  sixteen 
primaries,  each  with  its  tectrix  major  upon  the  upper  surface 
of  the  wing.  The  other  rows  are  perfectly  recognisable,  as  is 
shown  in  the  figure.  The  wing  of  the  penguin  is,  however, 
not  reconcilable  with  the  ordinary  plan  of  structure.  It  has 
thirty-six  bordering  feathers,  which  may  be  termed  primaries ; 
Ft'iRBRiNGEE  has  suggested  that  these  may  be  really  ten 
primaries  with  their  coverts,  but  in  any  case  the  wing  is 
covered  with  about  thirty  rows  of  scale-like  feathers. 

As  to  the  general  wing  feathering,  GOODCHILD  '  has  sur- 
veyed a  large  series  of  birds,  and  noted  their  peculiarities. 
Some  valuable  classificatory  results  appear  to  be  the  outcome 
of  these  investigations.  Thus  the  plan  characteristic  of  the 
humming  birds  resembles  that  of  the  swifts,  and  both  are  to 
be  distinguished  from  the  passerines.  The  picarian  type 
gradually  approximates  to  the  psittacine ;  Melopsittacus 

1   '  Observations  on  the  Disposition  of  the  Cubital  Coverts  in  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S. 
1886,  p.  isl. 


FEATIIKHS 


13 


might  be  well  referred  to  the  picarians  when  judged  from 
the  present  standpoint.  On  the  other  side  the  birds  of  prey, 
both  diurnal  and  nocturnal,  are  parrot-like  in  the  arrange- 


uient  of  their  wing  feathers.  But,  curiously  enough,  Pernis, 
Pandion,  Gijpogeranus,  and  the  Cathartidae  differ  from  theii- 
allies.  This  is  not  the  only  case  where  the  disposition 
of  the  feathers  runs  counter  to  the  affinities  to  be 


14  ST11UCTU11K    AXU    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

derived  from  an  examination  of  other  structures  ;  for 
while  Plialacrocorax  is  quite  accipitrine  the  other  Stega- 
nopodes  are  quite  different.  Herons  agree  with  the 
Accipitres,  while  the  ciconiine  pattern  leads  towards  that 
of  the  Tubinares,  and  is  identical  in  some  cases  with  that  of 
the  American  vultures.  The  cuckoos  should  be,  when 
judged  by  the  feathering  of  their  wings,  placed  in  the 
immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  Cohimbae,  from  which  group 
Goura  ought  to  be  separated.  Ghaunq.  is  practically  a 
pigeon  in  these  characters,  while  the  Limicolse  are  not  far 
off.  The  Crypturi  are  gallinaceous.1 

Pterylosis 

As  a  general  rule  the  feathers  of  birds  are  not  distributed 
uniformly  over  the  surface  of  the  body,  but  are  set  in  the 
skin  in  definite  tracts,  between  which  are  spaces  that  are 
entirely  bare  or  covered  only  with  down  plumage.  The 
feathered  tracts  are  termed  pterylse,  the  interspaces  apteria. 
A  few  birds,  such  as  the  struthious,  the  penguins,  and  the 
screamers,  have  an  uninterrupted  plumage  ;  but  this  state 
of  affairs,  though  corresponding  with  what  one  supposes 
to  be  the  original  condition,  is  not  necessarily  so  in  the 
birds  under  consideration.  Thus,  although  the  ostrich  has 
an  uninterrupted  plumage  in  the  adult  state,  the  young 
embryo,  as  first  figured  by  Miss  Lindsay,  has  definite 
pterylae,  thus  proving  that  the  continuous  feathering  is  here 
purely  secondary.  There  is  a  very  great  variety  in  the 
arrangement  of  the  pterylse  among  birds,  and  for  the  details 

1  DE  MEIJERE  has  devoted  some  pains  to  the  arrangement  of  the  feathers 
with  reference  to  each  other,  a  subject  which,  as  he  says,  has  been  hitherto 
treated  of  only  in  a  stepmotherly  fashion.  It  appears  from  his  investigations 
that  the  feathers  are  arranged  in  groups,  as  are  the  hairs  of  mammals.  For 
example,  upon  the  naked  region  of  the  head  of  Numida  the  feathers  are 
grouped  in  fours,  a  stronger  feather  with  two  hair-like  feathers,  one  on  one  side 
and  one  on  the  other.  This  is  what  is  generally  found,  a  central  stronger 
feather  with  hair  feathers  surrounding  it.  There  is  here  a  remarkable  analogy 
with  the  grouping  of  mammalian  hairs,  where  a  stronger  hair  is  often  sur- 
rounded by  three  or  four  more  slender  hairs.  MOSELEY  also  in  the  case  of  the 
dodo  (q.v.)  has  found  the  feathers  to  be  grouped  in  threes. 


PTEKYLOSIS  l", 

the  reader  is  referred  to  the  systematic  part  of  this  work. 
In  all,  however,  there  are  the  following  tracts  present  :  — 

(1)  The  spinal  tract  runs  from  the  head  to  the  oil  gland. 
This  tract  is  sometimes  continuous  at  the  sides  of  the  neck 
with  the  ventral  tract,  to  be  described  next.    It  is  sometimes 
a  single  solid  tract  throughout,  but  more  usually  there  is  a 
space  developed  in  it,  an   apterion  in  the  back,  which  is  of 
greater  or  less  extent.     Commonly  there  is  a  break,  more  or 
less  distinct,  between  the  anterior  and  the  posterior  portion 
of  the  tract,  which  may  be  complete  or  may  consist  in  an 
abrupt    transition    between    anterior    stiffer    feathers    and 
posterior  slighter  feathers. 

(2)  The  ventral  tract  is  always  a  double  tract,  but  the 
median   apterium  may  be  very  narrow.      The   anterior  part 
of  the  tract  may  be  single,  but  sometimes  it  is  double  from 
its  very  origin.       Very  commonly  on   the  pectoral   region 
each  half  of  the  ventral  tract  gives  off  a  lateral  branch. 

(3)  The  humeral  tract  is  a  band  of  stiff  feathers  running 
across  the  humerus  ;  it  is  always  present  and  shows  no  parti- 
cular modifications. 

(4)  The  femoral  tract  is  a  corresponding  band  crossing 
the  thigh.     There  is  sometimes,  as  in  the  barbets,  a   small 
tract  lying  between  the  femoral  and  the  spinal ;  and,  besides 
the  main  tracts,  the  patagium  and  the  lower  leg  are  more  or 
less  covered  with  contour  feathers.     The  study  of  Pterylo- 
graphy  was  first  taken  up  in  a  systematic  manner  by  NITZSCH  ; 
since  his  day  the  number  of  facts  has  largely  increased,  and 
careful  figures  of  the  pterylosis  of  many  birds,  not  figured 
by  NITZSCH,   have  been  published  by  a  host  of  observers, 
especially  GARROD,  FORBES,  SHUFELDT,  PYECEAFT,  GADOW,' 
and  others.     For  references  to  these  see  the  descriptions  of 
the  different  orders  of  birds.2 

The  general  facts  of  pterylosis  must  be  used  cautiously. 

1  See  also  W.  MARSHALL,  '  Pterologische  Mittheilungen,'  Zool.  Gart.  xiv.  xv. 
xvi. 

-  For  the  musculature  of  the  feathers  see  HELM,  '  Ueber  die  Hautmuskeln 
cler  Vogel,'  Ac.,  J.f.  0. 1884,  p.  321.  These  skin  muscles  are  either  limited  to 
the  skin,  running  from  feather  to  feather,  or  are  parts  of  skeletal  muscles,  such 
as  the  cutaneous  branch  of  the  latissiimts  dorsi,  &c. 


16  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

On  theoretical  grounds  it  might  fairly  be  assumed  that  a 
continuous  covering,  without  any  distinctions  between 
pterylas  and  apteria,  was  a  primitive  condition.  But  there 
is  evidence  to  show  that  where  a  continuous  covering  of 
feathers  exists  it  is  not  invariably  a  mark  of  ancient  stock. 
Thus  the  ostrich,  as  already  remarked,  which  when  adult 
has  practically  no  separation  into  pterylae  and  apteria,  has, 
when  young,  very  distinct  pterylae  and  apteria.  In  this 
case,  therefore,  it  is  clear  that  the  uninterrupted  feathering 
is  a  secondary  character  and  not  a  primitive  one.  With  the 
penguins,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  conceivable  that  the 
absence  of  apteria  is  a  primitive  character.  As  to  the  value  of 
the  various  arrangements  of  apteria  in  the  pterylosis,  GADOW 
lays  stress  upon  the  continuous  feathering  of  the  neck,  or 
the  presence  there  of  lateral  spaces,  but  admits  that  the 
Indian  painted  snipe  (Bhynchced)  is  an  exception  which 
somewhat  destroys  the  value  derivable  from  the  considera- 
tion of  the  facts.  FUBBKINGEB,  on  the  other  hand,  uses  in 
his  tables  of  characters  the  dorsal  tract  and  its  modifications. 
But  the  variations  which  occur  here  in  a  single  and  surely 
well-marked  family  (e.g.  Picidse)  tend  to  shake  our  faith  in 
the  value  of  the  exact  way  in  which  the  hypothetically  con- 
tinuous feathering  has  lost  its  continuity.  No  doubt  GADOW 
is  right  in  saying  that  it  is  of  taxonomic  importance  '  more 
in  the  investigation  of  small  than  of  large  groups.' 

NITZSCH,  for  instance,  lays  some  stress  upon  the  '  furcate 
division  and  degradation  of  the  portion  of  the  spinal  tract 
situated  between  the  shoulder  blades  '  in  the  Accipitrinse  ; 
this  division  includes  the  owls. 

But  on  turning  over  his  plates  one  is  struck  by  the  fact 
that  the  peculiarity  in  question  is  by  no  means  confined  to 
that  group,  occurring  as  it  does  in  such  widely  removed 
forms  as  Caprimulgidae,  Charadriidse,  and  Psopliia.  Nor  is 
an  undivided  dorsal  tract  a  distinctive  mark  of  affinity, 
since  it  is  to  be  found  in  such  a  diversified  assemblage  as 
that  including  Pavo,  Alcedo,  CertJiia,  Todus,  and  various 
passerines.  The  ventral  tracts  divide  each  of  them  upon 
the  breast  into  an  outer  and  an  inner  division  in  Pernis 


PTERYLOSIS  17 

apivora,  Coracias  garrulus,  JRhamphastos,  Musophaga,  Gal- 
ius,  various  cuckoos,  Charadrius,  kc.  They  do  not  divide 
in  Pandion,  Cypselus,  Cncuhix,  Opisthocomus,  Buceros,  Co- 
linuba,  Fulica,  and  Ciconia. 

GARROD  made  originally  the  apparently  reasonable  sug- 
gestion that  the  down  feathers  upon  the  apteria  of  many 
birds  may  be  the  remains  of  contour  feathers,  from  which 
the  inference  is  necessary  that  those  birds  with  downs  upon 
the  apteria  are  nearer  to  the  continuously  feathered  and 
ancestral  bird  than  are  those  whose  apteria  are  nude.  But 
the  whole  matter  is  rather  more  complicated  than  this. 
There  are  birds  with  only  contour  feathers  and  nude  apteria  ; 
there  are  birds  with  contour  feathers  only  upon  the  pterylse, 
and  down  upon  the  apteria ;  there  are  birds  with  dowrns 
everywhere ;  and  finally  there  are  birds  with  downs  only 
upon  the  pterylae,  mixed  with  the  contour  feathers.  The 
facts,  therefore,  when  stated  thus  fully  are  not  so  easy  of 
interpretation. 

The  evidence  derivable  from  Archaopteryx — less  negative, 
perhaps,  than  '  negative  '  evidence  often  is — may  afford  us  a 
clue.  So  many  feathers  of  that  bird  are  well  preserved  thai 
it  seems  possible  that  where  feathers  have  not  been  preserved 
they  were  either  really  absent  or  soft  down  feathers.  The 
latter  suggestion  seems  to  be  the  more  probable,  on  account 
of  the  plain  fact  that  Archaopteryx  was  a  flying  bird.  Now 
the  fact  that  the  contour  feathers  are  frequently  preceded 
by  downs  points  in  the  same  direction,  viz.  that  the  primitive 
feathering  of  birds  was  in  the  form  of  downs.  The  persist- 
ence of  downs,  therefore,  on  this  hypothesis  is  so  far  a 
primitive  character,  and  the  greater  the  persistence  the  more 
primitive  the  bird.  Thus  those  birds  which  have  downs 
everywhere  will  be  the  more  archaic.  This  is  so  far  promis- 
ing that  that  group  contains  such  apparently  old  tj^pes  as 
Palamedea,  Opistliocomus,  Rhinochetus,  Ovrc.  On  this  view 
the  most  modern  of  birds  will  be  those  which  I  elsewhere 
try  to  show  are  an  ancient  race,  i.e.  the  bulk  of  the  Pico- 
Passeres.  But,  as  might  be  expected  with  an  .ancient  race, 
there  is  every  variety  shown,  and  members  of  this  great 

c 


18 


STRUCTURE    AXD    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


group  are  found  in  all  the  divisions  of  birds  founded  upon 
the  distribution  of  the  downs.  This  view  throws  a  side 
light  upon  the  Struthiones.  The  feathers  of  those  birds  have 
been  called  intermediate  between  contour  feathers  and 
downs.  It  may  be  that  they  are  primitive,  and  that  the 
struthious  birds  have  arisen  from  some  ancient  type  in 
which  the  modern  bird's  feather  had  hardly  been  evolved- 
Among  nearly  related  families  the  details  of  pterylosis  do  at 
least  sometimes  afford  indications  of  resemblance.  Thus, 

for  instance,  there  are  certain  small 
likenesses  between  the  barbets, 
toucans,  and  woodpeckers  (see 
below),  which  help  in  establishing 
the  near  kinship  between  the  three 
families. 

The  size  or  the  presence  or 
absence  of  the  after  shaft  appears  to 
be  of  little  use  for  systematic  pur- 
poses. Among  the  ducks,  for  ex- 
ample, some  have  it  and  some  have 
it  not.  It  is  as  large  as  the  main 
feather  in  the  emus  and  totally 
absent  in  Rhea.  Facts  like  these, 
which  might  be  multiplied,  throw 
doubts  upon  the  value  of  this 
structure  in  classification.  So  too 
with  the  oil  gland '  and  its  feather- 
ing or  absence  of  a  tuft.  Cancroma, 
which  in  other  points  of  its  structure  conforms  to  the  heron 
type,  is  alone  in  that  group  in  having  a  nude  oil  gland.  The 
gland  is  absent  in  some  parrots,  present  in  others.  GAEROD 
at  one  time  thought  that  he  could  correlate  among  the 
Pico-Passeres  a  nude  oil  gland  with  small  caeca,  and  a  tufted 
oil  gland  with  the  absence  of  ca3ca  ;  to  the  vast  majority 
of  picarian  birds  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  correlation  does 

1  A.  PILLIET,  '  Sur  la  Glande  Sebacee  des  Oiseaux,'  &c.,  Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  Fr. 
xiv.  1889,  p.  115  •  E.  KOSSMANX,  '  Ueber  Talgdriisen  der  Viigel,'  ZeitscJn:  f. 
iriss.  Zool.  1871,  p.  5lis. 


FIG.  4. — FEATHEK  SHOWING 

AFTEESHAFT  (AFTER  SCLATEB). 


PTERYLOSIS  19 

apply.     But  the  todies  were  found  to  be  birds  with  a  tufted 
oil  gland  and  with  large  caeca. 

It  has  been  pointed  out  that  when  the  oil  gland  has  a 
tuft  of  feathers  upon  its  apex  the  rest  of  the  gland  is  un- 
feathered,  and  that,  on  the  contrary,  when  the  tip  is  nude 
the  general  surface  of  the  gland  is  feathered.  The  oil  gland 
is,  so  far  as  we  know,  a  structure  special  to  birds  ;  it  is,  indeed, 
the  only  purely  external  glandular  apparatus  that  exists  in 
them.  It  is  therefore  possible,  if  not  probable,  that  the 
organ  first  arose  in  the  class— that  it  is  not  an  inheritance 
from  any  ancestor.  On  this  view  it  is  quite  possible  that 
the  absence  of  the  oil  gland  may  not  be  always  due  to  its 
disappearance ;  birds  without  oil  glands  may  or  may  not 
have  lost  them.  It  seems  very  likely,  for  example,  that  the 
usual  absence  of  this  structure  among  the  struthious  birds 
is  rather  a  primitive  than  a  secondary  character.  If  this 
view  of  the  matter  is  justifiable,  the  presence  of  a  tuft  may 
also  be,  in  some  cases  at  least,  secondary  ;  for  it  is  certainly 
a  specialisation  that  may  have  appeared  after  the  oil  gland 
was  fully  developed. 

Alimentary  Canal 

The  tongue  '  of  birds  is  one  of  the  most  variable  organs 
as  to  size  and  texture.  In  Plotus,  for  example,  it  is 
practically  altogether  absent  (see  fig.  5).  When  present  it 
is  larger  or  smaller,  more  or  less  fleshy.  The  long,  thin, 
horny  tongue  of  the  toucans  characterises  those  birds ;  the 
parrots  (see  fig.  6)  have  a  thick  and  fleshy  tongue  ;  naturally 
the  organ  is  of  more  use  to  the  latter  than  to  the  former. 
A  very  remarkable  modification  of  the  tongue,  seen  in  birds 
quite  remote  in  the  scale,  is  the  pulling  out  of  the  free  end 
into  a  tuft  of  fine  fibres  ;  this  is  associated  with  the  capture 
of  honey  or  minute  insects  from  the  corollas  of  flowers  ;  it  is 

1  C.  S.  MINOT,  'Studies  on  the  Tongue  of  Reptiles  and  Birds,'  Ann.  Man. 
Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  1880 ;  NITZSCH-GIEBEL,  '  Die  Zunge  der  Vogel,'  &c., 
Zeitschr.  f.  d.  cjes.  Naturw.  xi.  1858,  p.  .19;  Lumvio,  PRINZ  v.  BAYERN,  Zur 
Anatomic  der  Zunge  (Mitnchen,  1884). 

c  2 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIEDS 


seen  in  the  Trichoglossinge  (see  fig.  6),  named  so  on  account 
of  the  very  structure,  and  in  the  Nectariniidse,  &c.  Very 
frequently  the  tongue  is  more  or  less  spiny  upon  its  surface, 

particularly  towards  the  attached  end 
of  the  organ.  A  very  singular  modi- 
fication is  the  extraordinarily  long 
tongue  of  the  woodpeckers,  wrhich 
is,  of  course,  associated  with  the  ex- 
traction of  grubs  from  the  crevices  in 
trees.  A  detailed  description  of  the 
numerous  forms  of  this  organ  would 
occupy  more  space  than  can  be  allowred  ; 
but  the  principal  varieties  will  be 
found  described  under  the  different 
families.  The  modifications  of  the 
tongue  are  not  of  great  assistance  to 


FIG.  5. — A,  LOWER  MANDI- 
BLE OF  INDIAN  DARTER. 
t,  KUDIMENTARY  TONGUE. 

7?     Trwr-r-r    TV    P^r  FlG-    6.— HEAD    OF    LoriUS,    SHOWING 

-D,    J.ONGUE    IN    PROFILE.  m         /  r<  .-mmn\ 

WITH  BRUSH  TIP  (AFTER  GARROD). 

the  taxonomist,  except  as  regards  smaller  groups.  Thus 
the  Plataleidae  have  been  distinguished  from  other  Herodiones 
as  '  Lipoglossae.' 

Teeth  are  not  met  with  in  living  birds.  KOSE,  however, 
has  discovered  what  he  believes  to  be  a  rudimentary  tooth 
band  ('  Zahnleiste  ')  in  Sterna,1  a  discovery  which  may  have 

This  has  been  recently  confirmed  by  Miss  CARLSSON  ('  Ueber  die  Schmelz- 
leiste  bei  Sterna  hirundo,'  Anat.  Anz  xii.  72),  who  found  it  to  characterise  both 
jaws.  For  other  embryonic  traces  of  teeth  see  P.  FHAISSE,  '  Uber  Ziihne  u.  Zahn- 


ALIMENTARY   CANAL  I'l 

some  added  significance  in  view  of  the  possible  relationship 
to  modern  birds  of  the  cretaceous  Iclithyornis  (cf.  below). 
The  need  for  teeth  seems  to  have  disappeared  with  the 
development  of  a  horny  bill,  the  replacement  of  the  one 
structure  by  the  other  being,  perhaps,  comparable  to  the 
replacement  of  functional  teeth  by  horny  plates  in  the 
Ornitliorliyncluts.  Functional  teeth,  however,  existed  in 
the  Jurassic  Archaopteryx  and  Laopteryx  (?),  and  in  the 
toothed  birds  of  the  cretaceous  epoch,  Hesperornis  and 
Iclitliyornis.  In  the  latter  the  teeth  are  in  sockets,  in  the 
former  in  grooves.  In  both  the  teeth  are  numerous,  but 
not,  perhaps,  extending  on  to  the  premaxillaries ;  the  teeth 
show  no  specialisation  in  different  regions  ;  they  are  of 
dentine  coated  with  enamel,  and  in  Hesperornis  the  basal 
portion  of  the  roots  consists  of  osteodentine. 

The  Eocene  bird  (from  the  London  clay)  Odontopteryx 
toliapicus  has  a  strongly  serrated  upper  jaw,  a  state  of 
affairs  which  is  paralleled  in  the  South  American  passerine 
Phytotoma  rara.  In  this  latter  bird,  as  Parker  has  pointed 
out,1  there  is  a  '  row  of  clearly  denned  denticles,  both  along 
the  dentary  and  palatine  ridges  of  the  premaxillary.'  He 
suggests  that  in  these  birds  and  in  the  merganser,  where 
similar  '  denticles  '  occur,  the  bone  of  the  jaw  has  grown 
into  arrested  dental  papillae. 

The  oesophagus  dilates  in  a  few  birds  into  a  crop,  which 
is  more  highly  specialised  in  Opisthocomus  (q.v.)  than  in  any 
other  form.  When  the  crop  is  well  marked  it  consists  of  a 
spherical  to  oval  dilatation  of  the  oesophagus,  which  in 
pigeons  is  divisible  into  a  right  and  left  half  and  an  inter- 
mediate unpaired  portion.  The  gallinaceous  birds,  the 
parrots,  and  among  the  Limicolae  the  American  genera 
TTiinocorys  and  Attagis,  are  provided  with  a  crop.  In  other 
birds  a  slight  dilatation  of  the  oesophagus,  either  permanent 

papillen  bei  Vogeln,'  J.B.  nat.  Gcs.  Leipzig,  1882,  p.  16 ;  A.  F.  J.  C.  MAYEE, 
•  Ziihne  im  Oberschnabel  bei  Vogeln,'  &c.,  Froriep's  Notiz.  xx.  1841,  p.  69  ; 
BLANCHARD,  '  Observations  sur  le  Systems  Dentaire  chez  les  Oiseaux,'  Coni/iir.-. 
Rend.  1. 1860,  p.  540  ;  M.  BRAUN,  '  Die  Entwicklung  des  Wellenpapageis,'  Arb- 
Zool.  Zoot.  lust.  Wiirzb.  v.  1879. 

1  In  his  memoir  upon  »githognathous  birds. 


±2  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

or   temporary,  foreshadows  the  fully  developed  crop  of  the 
birds  mentioned. 

The  stomach  '  consists  of  two  compartments  following 
each  other,  the  glandular  proventriculus  and  the  more  mus- 
cular gizzard.  The  proportions  of  these  two  segments  of 
the  stomach  vary,  and  both  are  much  reduced  in  the 
hoatzin,  whose  crop  appears  to  take  on  the  function  of  a 
gizzard.  The  proventriculus  is  usually,  but  not  always, 
separated  by  a  marked  constriction  from  the  gizzard,  and  has 
a  patch  of  large  glands  which  generally  forms  a  band  lining 
the  upper  part  of  the  sac  and  continuous  right  round  it ;  to 
a  proventriculus  in  which  the  glandular  patch  is  disposed  in 
this  fashion  the  term  '  zonary  '  is  applied.  More  rarely  the 
patch  of  glands  is  a  single  oval  or  round  patch  not  continu- 
ous round  the  proventriculus,  or  there  may  be  two  such 
patches.  In  Plotus  anhinga  the  two  patches  of  proven- 
tricular  glands  are  contained  in  a  special  diverticulum 
of  the  proventriculus.  In  Tantalus  ibis  MITCHELL  2  has 
described  a  remarkable  divergence  from  the  usual  structure 
of  the  proventriculus.  In  this  bird  the  glandular  areas  are 
two,  as  in  other  storks.  Above  these  is  a  row  of  crypts, 
which  are  partly  glandular  and  partly  lymphatic,  and  are 
believed  to  be  organs  for  the  absorption  of  water.  Among 
the  Steganopodes  and  in  other  birds  the  proventriculus  is 
much  larger  than  the  gizzard,  which  follows.  In  certain 
tanagers  this  state  of  affairs  culminates  in  the  apparent 
absence  of  the  gizzard  as  a  distinct  structure  (see  below). 
LUND  and  FOKBES  have  mentioned  a  number  of  tanagers  in 
which  this  occurs.  The  gizzard  is  more  muscular  in  grain- 
eating  and  in  some  other  birds  than  it  is  in  flesh-  and  fish- 
eating  birds.  It  is  strong  and  hard  and  lenticular  in  form  in 
the  Galli,  Ralli,  &c.,  bag-like  and  soft-walled  in  the  heron, 
&c.  The  lining  of  the  gizzard  undergoes  a  remarkable 
modification  in  certain  pigeons  (q.v.),  where  it  may  be  even 
ossified. 

1  '  On  the  Proventricular  Crypts  of  Pseudotantalus  ibis,'  P.  Z.  S.  1895,  p.  271. 

*  A  comprehensive  work  upon  this  organ  is  that  of  CAZIN,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  (7), 
iv.  1887,  p.  177.  See  also  the  same,  '  Structure  et  Mecanisme  clu  Gesier  des 
Oiseaux,'  Bull.  Soc.  Philom.  1888,  p.  19. 


ALIMENTARY   CANAL  i'.i 

The  intestine  of  birds  varies  much  in  proportional  as  well 
as  (naturally)  in  actual  length.  In  the  systematic  part  of 
this  work  a  number  of  actual  measurements  will  be  found  ; 
from  these  it  is  obvious  that  on  the  whole  purely  frugivorous 
birds  have  a  short  gut,  while  fish-  and  grain-eating  birds  have 
a  long  gut.  To  compare,  for  example,  two  birds  of  roughly 
the  same  size  but  of  different  feeding  habits,  the  touraco 
and  the  common  pigeon,  we  find  in  the  former  a  gut  of 
42  c.rn.,  and  in  the  latter  of  108-132  c.m.  As  the  gut  is 
always  longer  than  the  abdominal  cavity  in  which  it  lies,  it 
has  to  be  thrown  into  folds  in  order  to  find  room. 

In  the  embryo  chick  the  gut  is  straight  and  is  supported 
by  a  continuous  dorsal  mesentery  of  equal  vertical  diameter 
throughout.  The  coiling  is  both  lateral,  which  results  in 
lateral  foldings  of  the  mesentery,  and  vertical,  which  results 
in  unequal  growths  of  the  mesentery.  It  only  affects  the 
middle  part  of  the  alimentary  tract,  the  oesophagus  and 
stomach  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  rectum  on  the  other,  or 
at  least  a  part  of  it,  retaining  the  original  straight  condition. 
The  lateral  foldings  give  rise  to  secondary  connections 
between  different  regions  of  the  mesentery,  and  tend  to 
obscure  the  course  of  the  gut  ;  but  it  is  easy,  by  carefully 
removing  the  entire  intestine  to  distinguish  these  secondary 
mesenteries  from  the  primary  sheet  binding  the  gut  to  the 
dorsal  body  wall. 

When  the  body  walls  of  a  series  of  birds  are  removed,  and 
the  disposition  of  the  intestines  thus  shown  examined,  they 
have  been  found  to  present  great  differences.  These  have 
been  studied  and  described  by  GADOW  in  two  memoirs,1  and 
the  main  results  extracted  for  the  account  of  the  digestive 
system  in  Newton's  '  Dictionary  of  Birds.'  It  is  mainly 
from  the  latter  work  that  the  abstract  here  given  is  drawn. 

In  a  goose,  for  example,  the  main  disposition  of  the 
intestinal  folds  is  in  a  longitudinal  direction  ;  they  run 
parallel  with  each  other  in  a  direction  roughly  coinciding 

1  '  Versuch  einer  vergleichenden  Anatomie  des  Verdauungssystemes  cler 
Vogel,'  Jen.  Zcitschr.  xiii.  1879,  pp.  92,  339 ;  '  On  the  Taxonomic  Value  of  the 
Intestinal  Convolutions  in  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1889,  p.  303. 


i>4  STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

with  the  long  axis  of  the  body.  On  the  other  hand  the 
intestines  of  a  gull,  seen  when  the  body  wall  is  cut  through 
and  without  any  other  disturbance,  have  a  watch  spring -like 
arrangement.  In  Platalea  the  coils  are  parallel,  but  mainly 
at  right  angles  to  the  long  axis  of  the  body. 

These  and  other  variations  have  been  mapped  out  by 
GADOW  into  seven  principal  schemes,  which  are  represented 


/ 

<-\ 

\ 

^ 

\ 

.P 

/ 

'        / 

~\ 

• 

i 

1 

J 

^ 

J 

J 

\_ 

v^ 

/ 

/  ,' 

II 

J 

'// 

\J 

IV 

7 

u 

'  1 

CL 


J 


d 


FIG.  7. — INTESTINAL  LOOPS  (AFTER  GADOW). 

a,  isoccelous  ;  6,  auticoelous  ;  c,  antiperiecelous  ;  rf,  isoperiooelous ;  e,  cj'cloccelous  : 
/,<•/,  plagioccelons ;  /(,  telogj'rous  ;  P,  pylorus. 

]ST.B. — The  ascending  branches  are  dotted. 

in  the  annexed  cuts.  These  are,  of  course,  not  accurate 
pictures  of  the  actual  course  of  the  gut,  but  diagrams '  of  the 
principal  relative  positions  '  of  the  intestinal  loops  ;  and  it 
must  be  further  explained,  in  relation  to  another  mode  of 
mapping  the  intestine  that  we  shall  refer  to  immediately, 
that  the  diagrams,  mainly  if  not  entirely,  concern  the  lateral 
foldings  of  the  mesentery  that  have  been  already  mentioned  ; 
they  are  representations,  in  fact,  of  the  relations  of  the 
folding  of  the  gut  to  the  body  cavity  and  not  to  the  medial 
line  of  attachment  of  the  mesentery ;  nor  is  any  attention 


ALIMENTARY   CANAL  25 

paid  to  fixed  points  in  the  intestine,  such  as  the  cseca  or  the 
vitelline  duct.  They  express,  however,  an  interesting  series 
of  facts.  The  general  term  of  orthoccelous  is  applied  to 
those  cases  where  the  folds  are  as  a  rule  parallel  to  each 
other  and  in  the  long  axis  of  the  body.  When  they  form 
spirals  the  general  term  of  cycloccelous  is  applied  to  them 
by  GADOW. 

The  prevailing  number  of  loops  is  four,  of  which  the  first, 
the  duodenal  (which  contains  the  pancreas),  is  a  loop  which 
rarely  undergoes  additional  twisting.  The  orthoccelous  con- 
dition may  be  regarded  as  the  starting  point.  The  cyclo- 
coelous  arrangement,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  figure,  is  derived 
from  the  orthocoelous  by  the  conversion  into  one  spiral  of 
the  second  and  third  loops.  In  all  the  Passeres  the  cyclo- 
coelous  arrangement  is  arrived  at  by  a  spiral  twisting  of  the 
middle  or  second  loop  only  (there  being  but  three  loops)  ; 
this  kind  of  gut  has  been  termed  by  GADOW  mesogyrous. 
The  Limicolae,  which  have  a  spiral  formed  by  the  second  and 
third  loops,  are  also,  of  course,  mesogyrous  ;  but  it  is  clear  that 
a  similar  state  of  affairs  has  been  arrived  at  independently. 
Finally,  there  is  the  telogyrous  condition,  in  which  merely  the 
end  of  a  given  loop  or  loops  becomes  twisted  into  a  spiral, 
the  rest  remaining  straight.  This  is  shown  in  the  last  of 
the  series  of  figures  on  p.  24.  In  such  cases,  as  in  the  one 
figured,  the  duodenal  loop  rarely,  but  still  occasionally,  under- 
goes a  twisting.  The  plagiocoelous  condition  is  an  irregular 
twisting  of  the  ends  or  of  parts  of  the  loops  of  an  orthocoelous 
gut.  These  varied  arrangements  of  the  gut  may  be  recog- 
nised in  most  birds  ;  but  there  are  a  few  exceptions  of  which 
note  must  be  taken.  In  certain  fruit-eating  birds,  such  as 
Carpopliaga,  liliamphastos,  the  gut  is  so  short  and  wide  that 
the  number  of  loops  is  reduced,  and  the  arrangement  quite 
undecipherable.  On  the  other  hand  the  extremely  lengthened 
gut  of  the  fish-eating  'J'ninlion  produces  an  equal  confusion. 

Since  GADOW' s  description  of  the  coils  of  the  intestinal 
canal  in  birds  the  subject  has  been  studied  from  another  point 
of  view  by  CHALMEES  MITCHELL.'  GADOW  considers  only 

1  'On  the  Intestinal  Tract  of  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  is'.Hi,  p.  13(5. 


26 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


the  way  in  which  the  folds  of  the  gut  are  packed  away  in  the 
body  cavity.  MITCHELL  describes  the  actual  coiling  of  the  gut 
itself.  In  its  simplest  condition  the  gut  of  any  animal,  as  is 
shown  in  their  embryos,  is  a  straight  tube,  passing  from  the 
stomach  to  the  cloaca,  supported  by  a  continuous  dorsal  mesen- 
tery, the  ventral  mesentery  being  in  nearly  all  vertebrates 

defective  so  far  as  the  intes- 
tinal region  is  concerned. 
Thi,s  simple  condition  is, 
however,  not  retained  in  any 
existing  bird  ;  in  all  the  length 
of  the  tube  is  to  some  extent, 
generally  to  a  large  extent, 
longer  than  the  body.  The 
alligator  (fig.  8)  offers  the 
ideally  simplest  condition  of 
a  coiled  intestine,  where  ad- 
ditional length  is  achieved 
without  any  complications 
of  the  gut,  merely  by  its 
8.-Alligator  Mississippi* ;  bein£  thrown  into  a  series  of 

ALIMENTARY  TRACT  (AFTER  CHALMERS    folds,  of  which    all   are    more 
MITCHELL).  ,., 

or    less  alike.     So   simple    a 

condition  as  this  does  not  occur  in  any  known  bird.  But 
there  is  more  than  one  type  in  which  this  arrangement  is 
retained  writh  but  little  modification.  It  is  a  significant  fact 
that  the  most  primitive  arrangement  of  the  folds  of  the 
intestine,  judged  from  the  crocodilian  standpoint,  than  which 
we  have  none  other  more  riearty  approximating  to  the 
probable  reptilian  ancestor  of  birds,  is  found  in  birds  which 
other  considerations  lead  us  to  assign  a  low  position  in  the 
avian  series.  In  the  accompanying  drawing  (fig.  9)  of  the 
screamer,  for  example,  we  have  a  gut  which  is  but  slightly 
advanced  from  that  of  the  crocodile.  The  greater  part  of 
the  small  intestine  shows  the  same  series  of  undifferentiated 
folds,  only  the  duodenal  loop  (not  missing  as  a  specialised 
fold  in  any  bird)  being  separated  off  from  the  general  coiling. 
The  large  intestine,  however,  differs  from  the  short  and 


ALIMENTARY    CANAL 


27 


straight   large  intestine  of  the  crocodile  by  its  convoluted 
course.     So  too  with  the  gallinaceous  bird   (fig.   10),  where 


FIG.  9. — Cliauna  cliacaria  ;  ALIMENTARY  TEACT. 

s,  proveutriculus  :  g.  glandular  tract  :  </.  duodenal  loop  ;  l-l,  large  loop  of  small 
intestine  ;  y,  vitelline  dtift  :  c,  caeca  ;  Li,  large  intestine  ;  p.v,  portal  vein  ;  r.v, 
rectal  vein.  (After  CHALMKRS  MITCHELL.) 


FK;.  10.—  Argus  gic/finti'iix,  CHICK;  INTESTINAL 
(AFTER  CHALMERS  MITCHELL). 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


FIG.  11. — Gasuarius  ;  INTESTINAL  TRACT 
(AFTER  CHALMERS  MITCHELL). 


the  duodenal  loop  is  again  the  only  specialised  region  of  the 

intestine. 

The  ostrich  and  the  cassowary  present  but  little  modifi- 
cation of  the  same 
primitive  type  of  gut. 
In  the  former  we  have 
a  rather  more  com- 
plicated duodenal  loop, 
which  is  furnished  with 
a  small  subsidiary  fold. 
Then,  too,  the  large  in- 
testine has  the  same 
remarkable  folded  con- 
dition seen,  but  to  a 
less  extent,  in  Chauna. 
Casuarius  is  simpler 
than  Struthio.  In  all 
these  figures  (taken 
from  Mr.  MITCHELL'S 
paper)  the  course  of 
the  principal  blood 
vessels  is  shown  ;  only 
the  veins,  as  the  arteries 
were  found  invariably 
to  accompany  the  veins. 
It  will  be  observed  that 
the  principal  feeder  of 
the  portal  vein  runs 
directly  across  the  main 
mesenteric  fold,  and 
ends  near  to  the  vitel- 
line  duct,  the  rudiment 
of  the  yolk  sac ;  from 
the  junction  of  this 
with  the  main  stem  of 
the  mesenteric  vein 

arise  two  other  vessels ;  one  of  these  supplies  the  duodenal 

loop,  the  other  the   large  intestine ;    there  is  sometimes  a 


FKI.    12. —  Struthio   camelus;    INTESTINAL 
TRACT. 

x,  short-circuiting  vessel  cut  across.     (After 
CHAI.MKUS  MITCHELL.) 


ALIMENTARY   CANAL 


29 


'  short-circuiting '    connection,     as     MITCHELL     terms     it, 
between    the    duodenal    and    the    main    mesenteric    stem. 


Fi(i.  13. — Haliadus  albicilla  ;  IXTSETINAL  TRACT. 
x  as  in  fig.  12.    (After  CHALMERS  MITCHELL.) 


FIG.   14. — Am  uniniium  ;   I.\TI:STINAL  TKACT. 
.»•,  as  in  fig.  12.    (After  CHAI.MKKS  .M  m  11  KLL.) 

In  other  groups  of  birds  this  simple  state  of  affairs  is  further 
evolved,  but  in  some  there    are  remains    of   the   primitive 


30  STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

folded  intestine  for  a  greater  or  less  extent ;  thus  in  the 
penguin  a  good  deal  of  the  intestine  retains  the  early 
system  of  folding.  But  this  bird  is  remarkable  for  the 
extraordinary  complications  of  the  duodenal  loop,  which  has 
become  enormously  lengthened,  and,  in  Eudyptes,  thrown 
into  a  series  of  secondary  loops,  which  in  Aptenodytes 
are  arranged  in  a  spiral — a  convergent  resemblance,  thinks 
MITCHELL,  to  Haliaetus  (see  above,  fig.  13).  Platalea, 
which,  possessing  as  it  does  the  complete  muscle  formula  of 
the  leg,  must  be  regarded  as  a  primitive  type  among  the 
storks,  has  the  greater  part  of  the  small  intestine  disposed 
in  the  primitive  fashion  ;  the  duodenal  loop  is,  of  course, 
distinct,  and  there  is  also  a  well-marked  long  loop  just 
before  the  large  intestine.  Haliaetus  albicilla,  to  which 
reference  has  just  been  made,  is  less  divergent  from  the 
primitive  form  than  many  other  birds,  and  Lanis  marinus 
has  preserved  considerable  traces  of  the  same.  Among  the 
most  specialised  birds  from  the  present  point  of  view  are 
the  parrots  (see  fig.  14) . 

In  Ara,  at  any  rate,  there  is  nothing  left  of  the  original 
primitive  folds  of  the  intestine ;  the  whole  of  its  course  is 
disposed  into  six  specialised  loops.  The  owls  and  the  Capri- 
mulgidse  appear,  according  to  MITCHELL,  to  have  preserved 
much  of  the  primitive  short,  convoluted  loops  of  the  lower 
birds,  and  so,  though  to  a  less  extent,  has  Corythaix.  The 
very  short  intestine  of  the  Passeres,  represented  here  by  Parus 
major,  is  not  so  easy  to  understand,  but  its  general  appearance 
is  that  of  a  primitive  gut.  Some  further  details  will  be  found 
in  the  succeeding  chapters,  under  the  different  families  to 
which  they  refer. 

The  caeca  lie  at  the  commencement  of  the  large  intes- 
tine, which  indeed  can  be,  as  a  rule,  only  differentiated  from 
the  small  intestine  by  the  break  thus  caused.  This  is,  how- 
ever, not  invariably  the  case,  for  in  Stntthio  (see  fig.  12,  p.  28) 
there  is  a  distinct  break  between  the  two  sections  of  the 
gut,  quite  independent  of  the  caeca,  which  can  be  readily 
seen  from  an  inspection  of  the  figure  cited.  The  caeca  are 
among  the  most  variable  organs  of  birds.  Not  only  are  they 


ALIMENTARY    CANAL  31 

sometimes  completely  absent,  as    in  the  majority  of   that 

large  assemblage  of  birds  the  picarians,  but  when  present 

they  show  every  degree  of  relative  size.     In  the  Passeres,  and 

in   some  other  birds,  the  two  caeca  are  the  merest  nipples, 

which  cannot  be  believed  to  serve  any  function.     They  are 

in  the  same  way  reduced  in  size 

in  the  hawks  and  storks.     On  the 

other    hand,   in    the    gallinaceous 

birds,  in  the  Limicolae,  and  in  some 

others  the  caeca  are  large  tubular 

diverticula  of  the  gut,  the  length 

being  sometimes  to  be  measured 

by  inches.     Among  the  owls  the 

caeca    are    large,    and    have    the         i''i<-  i;j.— I'am*  major. 

additional     peculiarity    of     being  (fiESSteo^S 

swollen    at    the    blind    extremity. 

The  caeca  are  most  complicated  in  the  ostrich,  the  screamers, 

and  the  tinamou  Calodromas,  under  the  descriptions  of  which 

birds  will  be  found  an  account  of  this  organ.     The  herons 

are  remarkable  for  the  fact  that  one  of  the  two  casca  has 

disappeared,  the  remaining  one  being  but  small. 

The  liver  is  invariably  composed  of  two  lobes,  of  which 
the  left  often  shows  a  more  or  less  distinctly  marked 
secondary  division.  The  size  of  the  lobes  varies  greatly,  as 
does  their  relative  size.  Thus  in  some  birds  the  liver  lobes 
are  quite  hidden  by  the  sternum ;  in  others  again  they 
descend  some  wray  down  below  the  shelter  of  that  bone  and 
are  apparent  when  the  muscular  walls  of  the  abdomen  are 
cut  through  or  removed.  The  two  lobes  are  occasionally 
equal  or  subequal  in  size  ;  more  generally  there  is  a  dis- 
crepancy, the  right  or  left,  as  the  case  may  be,  being  the 
larger,  sometimes  very  much  the  larger.  The  two  lobes  of 
the  liver  are  commonly  firmly  attached  to  each  other  by  a 
bridge  of  hepatic  tissue.  In  Chauna  they  are  nearly  separate, 
being  only  united  by  a  very  narrow  isthmus  of  liver  substance. 
The  liver  sometimes  (e.g.  mRhynchotus  rufescens)  has  two  or 
three  small  vessels,  belonging  to  the  portal  system,  entering 
its  substance  at  the  free  edge,  a  state  of  affairs  which  has  a 


32 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


very   lizard-like    appearance.      The    relative    sizes    of    the 
liver  lobes  appear  to  be  of   no  importance  systematically. 


FIG.  16. — ALIMEXTAKY  VISCEKA  OF  INDIAN  DAUTEU. 

<!./!.,  gall  blail'lev  ;  //.</.,  o/.,  bile  durts  ;  pt  pancreas. 

Numerous  livers   are   figured  by  GADOW  in  Bronn's  '  Thier- 
reich.' 


ALIMENTARY   CANAL 


The  gall  bladder  is  an  organ  which  is  not  invariably 
present  in  birds.  It  is  even  sometimes  present  and  some- 
times absent  in  the  same  family  (e.g.  parrots).  As  a  rule 
this  vessel  is  of  a  rounded  or  oval  contour  and  is  embedded 
on  the  surface  of  the  right  lobe  of  the  liver.  The  Picidse, 
Capitonidse,  and  Khamphastidae  are  remarkable  for  the 
extraordinarily  elongated  gall  bladder,  which  reaches  a  long 
way  down  the  abdominal  cavity ;  this  is  described  more 
fully  below.  The  penguin  has  an  almost  equally  elongated 


d.pz — 


FIG.  17. — DUODENUM  OF  Syn-liaptes. 

v.f,  gall  bladder  ;  d.c,  cystic  duct ;  dJi, 
hepatic  duct ;  tl.pl,  d.  pi,  pancreatic 
ducts.  (After  BUAXDT.) 


FIG.  18. — DUODENUM,  BILE  DUCTS,  AND- 
PANCREATIC  DUCTS  OF  ANOTHER  Syr- 
rhaptes  (AFTER  BRANDT). 


gall  bladder.  The  position  of  the  apertures  of  the  cystic 
and  hepatic  ducts  upon  the  small  intestine  varies.  The 
ostrich  is  remarkable  for  the  fact  that  the  single  duct  opens 
practically  into  the  stomach. 

The  pancreas  lies  in  the  fold  of  mesentery  that  unites 
the  two  arms  of  the  duodenal  loop.  It  is  commonly  more  or 
less  distinctly  composed  of  two  parts,  and  in  relation  to  this 
there  are  two  pancreatic  ducts  which  pour  its  contents  into 
the  duodenum.  Apparently,  however,  no  value  can  be 

D 


:U 


STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


attached  to  either  the  form  of  the  gland  or  the  number  and 
position  of  the  orifices  of  its  ducts.  In  Syrrhaptes  para- 
doxes, for  instance,  both  of  the  arrangements  figured  in  the 
accompanying  cuts  have  been  found  by  BKANDT,  who  inves- 
tigated the  structure  of  the  bird.  In  one  of  them  both 
ducts  open  close  to  each  other  and  to  the  cystic  duct  on  the 
ascending  part  of  the  duodenal  loop  ;  in  the  other  the  cystic 
and  hepatic  ducts  were  on  opposite  sides  of  the  duodenal 
loop,  and  in  common  with  each  opened  a  single  pancreatic 


FIG.  19.— DUODENAL   LOOPS  OF 
Rhea  americuna. 

hc.e,  Jie,  bile  ducts ;  pl,p2,  pancreatic 
ducts.    (After  GADOW.) 


FIG.  20. — DUODENAL 
LOOP  OF  Rli.  Darwini. 

f-./ii;  bile  ducts;  pl,p2,  pan- 
creatic ducts.     (After  GADOW.) 


duct.  This  latter  arrangement  was  found  by  GADOW  in 
Pterocles.  In  two  species  of  Rhea  the  relative  positions  of 
the  pancreatic  and  bile  ducts  were  as  is  shown  in  the  figures. 
In  the  owl  Photodilus  badius  I  found  that  the  cystic  duct 
opened  near  to  the  summit  of  the  ascending  arm  of  the 
duodenal  loop  ;  below  this  opened  the  hepatic  duct,  and 
some  way  below  this  again,  and  near  together,  the  two  pan- 
creatic ducts.  A  good  many  details  upon  this  subject  will 
be  found  in  GADOW'S  paper  on  the  digestive  organs  of  birds. 
The  cloaca  of  birds  is  the  terminal  chamber  of  the 
alimentary  canal,  which  also  receives  the  urinary  and  genital 
ducts,  and  is  provided  with  an  appendix  of  unknown  function, 


ALIMENTARY   CANAL  :{.", 

the  so-called  bursa  Fabricii.  GADOW,  in  a  recent  work  !  upon 
this  region  of  the  alimentary  canal,  recognises  three  cham- 
bers in  the  cloaca.  Above,  and  separated  by  a  constriction 
from  it,  is  the  coprodseum,  into  which  the  rectum  opens ; 
this  is  divided  by  a  constriction  from  the  middle  chamber, 
or  urodaeum,  which  receives  the  genital  and  urinary  ducts  ; 


FIG.  21. — CLOACA  OF  Cliauna  derbiuna  LAID  OPEN  FROM  IN  FRONT. 

«,  rectum  ;  b,  orifices  of  ureters  ;  //,  genital  papillae  ;  c,  fold  separating  coprodieum  from 
urodaeum  :  </,  fold  separuthifr  urodseum  from  proctodaeum  ;  e,  opening  of  /,  bursa 
Fulirieii.  (After  FORBES.) 

then  follows  the  proctodseum,  of  which  the  bitrsa  Fabricii 
is  a  diverticulum. 

The  bursa  Fabricii  has  been  chiefly  investigated  by 
FORBES  2  and  WENCKEBACH.3  It  is  a  dorsal  diverticulum  of 
the  proctodseum,  and  therefore  has  nothing  to  do  with  the 

1  '  Remarks  on  the  Cloaca  and  on  the  Copulatory  Organs  of  the  Amniota,' 
Phil.  Trans,  vol.  clxxviii.  p.  5. 

-  '  On  the  Bursa  Fabricii  in  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  p.  304. 

3  '  De  Ontwikkeling  en  de  Bouw  der  Bursa  Fabricii,'  Inaucj.  Diss.  Leyden 
1888.  See  also  E.  RETTERET,  '  Contribution  a  1'Etude  du  Cloaque,'  &c.,  J.  de 
VAnat.  xxi.  1885,  p.  369. 

D  2 


36 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


ventral  bladder  of  other  vertebrates.  It  is  largest  in  young 
birds,  and  often  becomes  obliterated  in  older  birds.  The 
general  relations  of  the  bursa  to  the  cloaca  are  shown  in 
the  two  accompanying  figures.  The  organ  contains  a 
quantity  of  lymphatic  follicles,  and  presents  us  with  two 
types.  In  most  birds  it  is  a  diverticulum  opening  by  a 
narrow  neck  into  the  proctodseum  ;  but  in  the  struthious 
birds  (in  the  young  at  any  rate)  it  is  not  constricted  at  its 
orifice  into  the  proctodneum,  and  the  boundaries  of  the  two 
are  therefore  indistinct.  The  structure  and  arrangement  of 


FIG.  22. — Two  TYPES  OF  BUKSA. 
'R,  coproclajuni  ;  C,  urodfeum  ;  D,  proctodseum  ;  B,  bursa  ;  d,  ureters.    (After  FORBES.) 

the  follicles  and  of  the  bursa  generally  have  led  WENCKEMANN 
to  certain  classificatory  conclusions. 


Reproductive  and  Renal  Organs 

The  kidneys  are  so  unimportant  from  the  point  of  view 
of  the  present  book  that  they  can  be  dismissed  in  a  few 
words.  Each  kidney  is  a  looulated  organ  lying  in  the  pelvic 
region,  so  closely  in  contact  with  the  adjacent  bones  that 
they  are  marked  by  grooves  upon  the  dorsal  surface.  In 
some  hornbills  each  kidney  is  divided  into  an  anterior  and 
a  posterior  piece,  which  are  perfectly  separated.  A  ureter 
runs  from  each  kidney  to  the  urodseum. 

The  reproductive  organs  consist  of  a  pair  of  testes  in  the 
male,  and  of  one,  rarely  two,  ovaries  in  the  female.  Corre- 
sponding to  the  single  ovary  (the  left)  is  a  single  oviduct, 
the  right  one  remaining  rudimentary.  BALLOWITZ  '  has 

1  '  Untersuchungen  iiber  die  Struktur  der  Spermatozoen,'  *c.,  Arch.  Mikr. 
Anat.  xxxii.  402. 


REPRODUCTIVE  AND  RENAL  ORGANS        37 

figured  the  spermatozoa  of  many  birds,  whence  it  appears  that 
their  form  is  often  characteristic,  and  may  be  of  systematic 
use.  A  penis  is  not  present  in  all  birds  ;  it  exists  in  the 
Struthiones,  the  Anseres,  Tinami,  Herodiones,  Galli,  and 
(EcUcncmus.  It  is  a  paired  organ — that  is  to  say,  it  is 
composed  of  two  incompletely  joined  halves  with  a  longi- 
tudinal groove. 

The  Ccelom 

Birds  differ  both  from  reptiles  and  mammals  in  the  com- 
plication of  the  subdivisions  of  their  body  cavity.  The 
subject  is  one  that  is  far  from  being  thoroughly  worked  out, 
but  enough  information  has  been  collected  to  allow  of  a 
certain  amount  of  definite  statement  and  of  comparison 
with  other  animals. 

When  a  bird  is  dissected  in  the  usual  way  from  the 
ventral  surface,  the  abdominal  cavity,  or  at  least  the  cavity 
containing  what  are  generally  termed  the  abdominal  viscera— 
i.e.  liver,  intestines,  &c. — is  seen  to  be  divided  into  two  by  a 
toughish  septum,  which  varies  in  extent  according  to  the 
bird  dissected.  This  membrane,  to  which  attention  has 
been  directed  by  WELDON  '  under  the  name  of  '  pseudepi- 
ploon,'  has  been  investigated  in  a  number  of  birds  by  me.2 
Its  relations  in  the  common  fowl  have  been  described  with 
the  aid  of  diagrammatic  representations  of  sections  by 
BUTLER. 3 

This  membrane,  believed  by  MALL  4  to  be  the  actual 
homologue  of  the  omentum  of  the  mammal,  is  more  or  less 
horizontal  in  direction,  so  that  it  may  be  conveniently 
termed,  without  prejudice  to  its  homologies,  the  '  horizontal 
septum.'  This  horizontal  septum  is  attached  to  the  ventral 
body  wall,  to  the  oblique  septa  (of  which  see  description 
later),  and  to  the  gizzard,  which  viscus  appears  to  lie  withui 

1  In  his  memoir  upon  the  anatomy  of  the  storks  and  flamingo  in  P.  Z.  S. 
1883,  p.  638. 

-  '  Notes  on  the  Visceral  Anatomy  of  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1885,  p.  836. 

:i  '  On  the  Subdivision  of  the  Body  Cavity  in  Lizards,  Crocodiles,  and  Birds,' 
P.  Z.  S.  1889,  p.  452. 

1  Joitrn.  Morpli.  1891. 


38  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

the  thick  septum,  in  a  cavity  formed  by  the  splitting  of  its 
layers.  Anteriorly  the  horizontal  septum,  passing  forwards, 
lies  beneath  the  liver,  coming  into  relations  on  each  side 
with  a  cavity  which  will  be  referred  to  later  as  the  ' pulmo- 
hepatic  recess.' 

If,  therefore,  the  abdominal  walls  of  the  bird  have  been 
cut  through  anteriorly  to  the  attachment  of  the  horizontal 
septum  to  the  abdominal  walls,  the  only  abdominal  viscera 
exposed  will  be  the  gizzard  and  the  liver  lobes.  These 
latter  are  separated  from  each  other  by  the  median  vertical 
'falciform  ligament,''  which  is  continued  backwards  to  divide 
the  cavity  into  right  and  left  halves. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  abdominal  walls  of  the  bird 
have  been  cut  through  posteriorly  to  the  attachment  of  the 
horizontal  septum  to  the  abdominal  walls,  the  viscera 
exposed  will  be  the  intestines  and  kidneys  and  not  the 
liver. 

In  some  birds — for  instance,  in  the  duck,  and  in  many 
charadriiform  birds — the  horizontal  septum  is  so  short 
behind  the  gizzard  that  the  latter  is  closely  attached  to  the 
abdominal  parietes  by  what  looks  at  first  sight  almost  like  a 
pathological  adhesion,  due  to  peritonitis.  On  the  other 
hand  in  many  storks,  in  Chauna,  Cariama,  struthious  and 
other  birds,  the  horizontal  septum  is  very  extensive,  reaching 
back  to  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  cloaca.  Various 
intermediate  stages  are  offered  by  other  birds. 

The  Oblique  Septa. — Eeference  has  been  already  made  to 
these  structures,  which  are  present  in  all  birds,  and  concerning 
whose  homologies  there  is  some  divergence  of  opinion.  Their 
structure  and  relations  are  as  follows  :  On  either  side  of  the 
body  is  a  tough  fibrous  sheet  of  membrane,  which  runs  an 
oblique  course  (hence  HUXLEY'S  name1  of  oblique  septum'), 
entirely  enclosing  and  shutting  off  from  the  abdominal  cavities 
(dorsal  and  ventral)  the  lungs  and  air  sacs,  with  an  excep- 
tion to  be  noted  immediately.  These  oblique  septa  have, 
as  HUXLEY  pointed  out,  a  tent-like  arrangement,  coming 
into  contact  with  the  median  septum  in  front  of  the  heart, 

1  •  On  the  Respiratory  Organs  of  Apteryx,'  P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  560. 


THE   CCELOM 


39 


thence  diverging  to  be  attached  ventrally  to  the  sternum 
along  two  lines,  one  on  each  side,  set  obliquely  to  the  median 


Ao 


-'•      jy 

V.I.I.          M    '' 

FIG.  23. — KESPIRATORY  ORGANS  OF  DUCK. 

/-  \',  air  sacs  ;  7V,  trachea  ;  </./,  dorsal  margin  ;  v.n.l,  ventral  margin  of  lungs ;  1-3,  dissepiments 
between  air  sacs  ;  Ao,  aorta  ;  c.a,  coeliac  artery  ;  in. u,  mesenteric  ;  m,  muscular  fibres  ono.s, 
oblique  septum  ;  F^S,  vertical  median  septum  :  L.c,  longus  colli;  A',  kidney.  (After  HUXLEY.) 


o.s 


*  t 

-^ 

\  \ 

1 

f. 

irr    * 

2: 


3. 


es.  24. — EESPIKATOHY  ORGANS  OF  APTEKYX.     LETTERING  AS  IN  FIG.  23 

(AFTER  HUXLEY 


40 


STRUCTUUE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


attachment  of  the  falciform  ligament.  Dorsally  they  are 
attached  to  the  parietes.  As  a  general  rule  the  abdominal 
air  sac  is  the  only  one  of  the  posterior  air  sacs  (see  fig.  23) 
which  is  not  enclosed  within  the  oblique  septa ;  in  all  birds, 
so  far  as  is  known,  except  the  Apteryx,  the  wall  of  this  air 
sac  '  has  been  apparently  driven  out,  like  a  hernial  sac, 
between  the  peritoneum  and  the  parietes,  and  projects  into 
the  abdominal  cavity.'  In  Apteryx  the  air  sac  in  question 
is  completely  enclosed  by  the  oblique  septum.  Another 
exception  to  the  statement  made  above  as  to  the  completely 

I 


FIG.  25. — DIAGRAMMATIC  TBANSVEKSE  SECTION  OF  EMU,  TO  SHOW  THE  PRO- 
JECTION OF  OBLIQUE  SEPTUM. 

rt,  as  a  free  fold  ;  6,  falciform  ligament. 

dissepirnental  nature  of  the  oblique  septa  occurs  in  a  few 
birds  (e.g.  emu  and  Cariama),  in  which  the  posterior  end 
of  the  oblique  septum,  though  firmly  attached  to  the  dorso- 
lateral  parietes,  is  not  so  attached  ventrally,  but  projects 
into  the  abdominal  cavity  as  a  free  fold.  In  these  cases  the 
free  fold  is  double  (see  fig.  25),  the  inner  half  being  conti- 
nuous with  the  horizontal  septum.  To  the  possible  signi- 
ficance of  this  fact  we  propose  to  return  later. 

The  oblique  septa  are,  as  has  already  been  stated,  mem- 
branous, but  they  are  occasionally  and  partially  invaded  or 
covered  by  muscular  tissue.  HUXLEY  speaks  of  '  unstriped 


THE   CCELOM 


41 


muscular  fibres '  in  the  oblique  septum  of  the  duck  ;  and  in 
the  puffin  }  (Fratercula  arctica)  and  the  penguin  (Eudyptes, 
Eudyptula  minor  and  Spheniscus  demersus)  the  posterior 


FlG.    2(). — DIAGRAM    OF    A    TKANSVERSE    SECTION    THROUGH 

THORAX  OF  DUCK. 
L.L,R.L,  lobes  of  liver;  L,  luugs;  A.S,  horizontal  septum ;  O.S,  oblique  septum. 


FIG.  27.  —  SIMILAR  DIAGRAM  OF  CROW  (Cori'iis  capellanus). 

«,  rudiments  of  sternal  attachment  of  oblique  septum.     Other  letters  as  in  tig.  -ii. 

part  of  the  oblique  septum  is  largely  covered  with  a  thickish 
layer  of  muscular  fibres,  which  FILHOL  2  (their  describe)1  in 


1  BEDDARD,   'Notes  on  the  Visceral  Anatomy  of  Birds,' II.  'On  the 
ratory  Organs  in  certain  Diving  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1888,  p.  '2-VJ. 

-  '  Sur  la  Constitution  clu  Diaphragme  des  Kinlijiitca.'  Hull.  S«c.  J'lnlani.  (7), 
vi.  p.  2a"). 


42 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


Eiidyptes)  has  termed  '  muscle  diaphragmatique  transverse.' 
These  muscles  are,  however,  striated  ;  but  the  duck  is  not 
the  only  bird  with  unstriated  fibres  in  the  oblique  septum, 
for  these  also  occur  in  the  toucan. 

In  all  birds,  with  the  exception  of  certain  passerines— 
possibly  of  the  entire  group  of  passerines — the  oblique  septa 
have  the  structure  and  relations  that  have  been  thus  briefly 
described.     In  passerines  l  they  have  undergone  what  appears 
to  be  a  modification.     The  oblique  septa  of  each  side,  instead 


FIG.  28. —  VISCEKA  OF  BOOK  DISPLAYED  BY  EEMOVAL  OF  ABDOMINAL  WALLS. 

fit,  gizzard  ;  L,  liver;  O.S,  oblique  septum.   The  liver  is  covered  by  a  membrane 
continuous  with  the  oblique  septa. 

of  being  attached  independently  to  the  sternum,  become 
fused  with  the  falciform  ligament  in  the  middle  line,  and 
form  a  horizontal  sheet  of  membrane  covering  over  the  two 
lobes  of  the  liver.  The  original  (?)  attachments  of  the 
oblique  septa  are  not,  however,  in  these  birds  entirely  lost ; 
a  much  fenestrated  membrane — sometimes,  indeed,  reduced 
to  a  thread  or  two— remains  to  remind  the  anatomist  of  the 

1  BEDDAKD,  '  On  the  Oblique  Septa  in  the  Passerines,  and  in  some  other 
Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1890,  p.  225. 


THE   CCKLOM  43 

more  prevalent  conditions.  In  the  rook,  however  (fig.  28), 
they  are  completely  preserved.  But  the  attachment  of  the 
falciform  ligament  to  the  sternum  in  the  median  line  is  lost. 
The  cutting  off  of  two  lateral  sections  of  the  body  cavity 
by  the  oblique  septa,  and  the  division  of  the  remainder  by 
the  horizontal  septum,  do  not,  however,  exhaust  the  sub- 
divisions of  that  space.  The  liver  lobes  are  attached,  as  is 
so  common  among  reptiles,  to  the  oblique  septa,  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  lungs,  by  what  may  be  termed  the 
pulmo-hepatic  ligaments.  In  making  the  comparison  with 
reptiles  we  assume  for  a  moment  the  correctness  of  BUTLEK'S 
contention  that  the  oblique  septa  are  in  reality  a  portion  of 
the  pulmonary  aponeurosis,  a  view  which  will  require  a 
careful  re-examination.  This  ligament  assists  in  closing 
the  pulmo-hepatic  recess,  which  is  really  an  extension  forward 
of  the  abdominal  cavity,  as  shown  by  MALL'S  instructive 
figures  of  casts  of  the  perivisceral  cavity  of  birds.  They  are 
narrow  cavities,  one  on  each  side  of  the  body,  walled  and 
floored  by  the  ligament  mentioned,  and  by  the  oblique  and 
horizontal  septa.  The  aperture  of  entrance  has  been  com- 
pared to  the  foramen  of  Winslow  of  the  mammal,  and  so 
named.  In  some  birds  there  are  no  further  complications  of 
the  thoraco-abdominal  coelom,  but  of  others  there  are  still 
a  few  facts  to  relate  before  dealing  with  the  homologies  of 
the  various  spaces  and  membranes.  In  the  Australian  pas- 
serine StrutJiidea  cinerea  the  liver  lobes  are  each  partitioned 
into  two  by  a  transverse  septum,  which  runs  from  the  falci- 
form ligament  in  the  middle  line  to  the  oblique  septum  on 
either  side.  This  septum,  which  is  clear  and  transparent, 
does  not  actually  divide  the  liver  lobes ;  it  arches  over  each 
with  a  free  crescentic  margin.  In  some  other  birds  similar 
septa  are  present,  with  very  nearly  the  same  relations.  In 
hornbills,  cuckoos,  and  owls — at  any  rate  in  some  species 
of  each  family — -the  two  liver  lobes  are  each  completely 
shut  off  from  the  ventral  section  of  the  abdominal  cavity 
(the  '  subomental  space,'  as  it  has  been  termed)  by  delicate 
partitions,  of  which  one  only,  the  left,  is  present  in  some 
other  birds,  e.g.  Chrysotis  Gitildingi.  The 


44 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


is  occasionally  presented  by  birds  in  which  the  horizontal 
septum  is  very  short,  and  therefore  almost  vertical  in  direc- 
tion. But  in  the  birds  mentioned  the  septa  are  perfectly 


FIG.  29.— ABDOMINAL  CAVITY  OF  Biicurriis. 

rj,  gizzard  ;  a,  baud  of  muscular  fibre  connecting  it  with  oblique  septum  ;  b,  umbilical 
veiu  ;  //,  liver  seen  through  fibrous  partition  mentioned  in  the  text. 


THE    GCELOM  45 

distinct  from,  and  present  in  addition  to,  the  horizontal 
septum. 

Homologies  of  Oblique  and  Horizontal  Septa. — Sir  RICHAKD 
OWEN  in  the  year  1838  described  the  oblique  septa  of  the 
Apteryx1  as  'a  well-developed  diaphragm.'  His  figure, 
indeed,  is  highly  suggestive  of  the  mammalian  diaphragm, 
more  so  than  are  (in  our  opinion)  the  actual  structures 
observable  in  the  dissection  of  the  bird.  OWEN  anxinin'<l 
that  the  structures  corresponded,  contenting  himself  with 
indicating  the  principal  differences  between  the  avian  dia- 
phragm and  the  mammalian,  and  pointing  out  how  Apteryx 
was  nearer  to  mammals  than  any  other  bird.  This  assumption 
was  undoubtedly  based  upon  current  opinions  of  the  day,  for 
in  the  '  Le9ons  d'Anatomie  Comparee '  of  CUVIER  (ed.  '2, 
vol.  vii.  p.  21)  such  a  comparison  appears  to  be  drawn.  As 
OWEN  justly  observed,  the  imperforateness  of  the  oblique 
septum  of  the  Apteryx  is  more  mammalian  than  in  other 
birds,  even  struthious,  where  the  abdominal  air  sacs  project 
beyond  it ;  the  obliquity  of  its  direction,  too,  is  paralleled  in 
the  dugong  and  manatee,  and  it  is  furthermore  less  oblique 
than  it  is  in  other  birds. 

SAPPEY  and  MILNE-EDWARDS  also  use  variants  of  the 
word  '  diaphragm  '  to  describe  what  we  term  in  the  present 
work,  following  HUXLEY,  the  oblique  septa.  But  for  the  two 
first-named  observers  the  costo-pulmonary  (see  under  descrip- 
tion of  lungs,  below)  muscles  also  form  part  of  the  diaphragm. 
The  older  observers,  impressed  with  certain  resemblances 
(such  as  warm-bloodedness)  between  birds  and  mammals, 
regarded  them  as  more  nearly  akin  than  is  at  present  the 
belief.  HUXLEY  devoted  much  work  to  the  demonstration 
of  the  nearer  relationship  between  birds  and  reptiles — a 
relationship  which  is  now  generally  held.  In  redescribing 
the  respiratory  organs  of  Apteryx  HUXLEY  pointed  out 
their  thoroughly  ornithic  character,  and  remarked  that  '  in 
this,  as  in  all  other  cases,  the  meaning  of  ornithic  peculiari- 
ties of  structure  is  to  be  sought  not  in  mammals,  but  in 
reptiles.'  It  is  on  a  priori  grounds  likely  enough  that  there 

1  '  On  the  Anatomy  of  the  Southern  Apteryx,'  Trans.  Zool.  Soc.  ii.  276. 


46  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

are  structures  in  birds  comparable  to  the  diaphragm  of 
mammals;  but  in  that  case  the  likeness  would  be  due  to  the 
derivation  of  both  from  a  common  form,  perhaps  low  down 
in  the  reptilian  series.  At  any  rate  certain  anatomical  facts 
forbid  a  precise  comparison  of  the  entire  oblique  septa  of  the 
bird  to  the  mammalian  diaphragm,  though,  as  will  be  shown 
in  the  sequel,  there  appear  to  be  a  few  genuine  resemblances 
which  can  hardly  be  got  over.  HUXLEY  emphasised  the  fact 
that  in  the  bird  the  heart  lies  behind  the  so-called  diaphragm, 
which  is  moreover  not  supplied  by  a  phrenic  nerve.  If  com- 
parable to  any  structure  in  the  mammal,  it  is  with  the  medias- 
tinum that  they  should  be  homologised.  As  to  the  phrenic 
nerve,  several  considerations  present  themselves;  it  is,  it  is 
true,  a  specialised  nerve,  but  it  is  spinal  in  origin.  Now  in  birds 
it  is  also  branches  of  spinal  nerves  which  supply  the  oblique 
septa.  In  the  mammal  it  may  be  that  the  pulling  out  of  the 
phrenic  nerve  may  be  due  to  a  cause  similar  to  that  which 
has  produced  the  looping  of  the  recurrent  laryngeal  nerve, 
When  nerves  are  drawn  out  by  a  change  in  position,  or  by  an 
elongation  of  the  structures  which  they  supply,  there  is  at 
least  a  tendency  for  their  roots  of  origin,  of  many,  to  fuse 
into  a  single  nerve ;  witness,  for  instance,  the  limb  nerves 
arising  from  the  anterior  and  posterior  plexuses.  The  fact 
that  the  spinal  nerves  which  form  the  limb  plexuses  are  not 
always  exactly  the  same  has  not  led  to  any  very  serious 
belief  in  the  serial  homology  only  of  the  fore  limbs  in  any 
two  vertebrates  which  show  these  differences.  The  lungs, 
and  consequently  the  diaphragm  (assuming  for  a  moment  its 
correspondence  with  the  mammalian  diaphragm),  are  further 
back  in  birds ;  hence  their  different  nerve  supply.  If  we 
look  upon  the  posterior  portion  of  the  oblique  septa,  which  is 
alone,  be  it  observed,  muscular,  as  the  homologue  of  the 
lateral  parts  of  the  mammalian  diaphragm,  the  rest  being 
absent,  no  great  violence  to  the  mutual  relations  of  the 
different  structures  concerned  will  have  been  done.  In  any 
case  it  may  well  be  that  both  the  mammalian  diaphragm 
and  the  avian  have  been  derived  from  some  such  reptilian 
structure  as  is  to  be  seen  in  the  crocodile. 


THE   CCELOM  47 

Professor  HUXLEY  '  has  made  such  a  direct  comparison. 
'  As  in  birds,  the  liver  [of  crocodiles]  lies  between  the 
stomach  and  the  pericardium,  and  has  a  peculiar  peritoneal 
investment,  shut  off  from  the  great  'sac  of  the  abdomen  ;  and, 
as  in  the  ostrich,  the  whole  circumference  of  the  stomach  is 
united  by  fibrous  tissue  with  the  parietes.  A  fibrous  expan- 
sion extends  from  the  vertebral  column  over  the  anterior  face 
of  the  stomach,  the  liver,  and  the  dorsal  and  front  aspect  of 
the  pericardium  to  the  sternum  and  the  parietes  of  the 
thorax,  separating  the  thoraco-abdominal  space  into  a  respi- 
ratory and  a  cardio-abdominal  cavity,  and  representing  the 
oblique  septum  of  the  bird.'  Further  on  we  read  :  '  A  broad 
thin  muscle  arises,  on  each  side,  from  the  anterior  margin  of 
the  pubes  ;  and  its  fibres  pass  forwards,  diverging  as  they  go, 
to  be  inserted  into  the  ventral  face  of  the  posterior  part  of 
the  pericardium,  and  into  the  ventral  and  lateral  parts  of  the 
fibrous  capsule  of  the  stomach,  passing  between  that  organ 
anVl  the  adherent  posterior  face  of  the  liver,  and  being 
inserted  into  the  fibrous  aponeurosis  which  covers  the  anterior 
surface  of  the  stomach  and  represents  the  oblique  septum.' 

Professor  HUXLEY  seems,  according  to  BUTLER,  to  have 
included  the  '  omentum '  with  the  oblique  septa  in  his  com- 
parison with  the  fibrous  expansion  and  the  accompanying 
muscle  of  the  crocodile.  I  have  already  pointed  out  that 
'  the  entire  fibrous  expansion  which  arises  from  the  vertebral 
column,  and  extends  over  the  anterior  face  of  the  stomach, 
liver,  &c.,  in  the  crocodile  represents  both  the  oblique  septa 
and  the  omentum  in  the  bird.'  A  justification  for  this 
opinion  is  to  be  seen  in  the  dissection  of  an  emu  and  one  or 
two  other  birds.  We  have  occasionally  observed  that  where 
the  posterior  part  of  the  oblique  septa  is  free  from  the 
abdominal  walls,  ending,  in  fact,  in  &  free  edge  within  the 
abdominal  cavity,  this  edge  is  really  continuous  with  the 
horizontal  septum,  as  showrn  in  the  cut  (fig.  25).  The 
oblique  septum  is  thus  merely  a  fold  of  the  horizontal  septum ; 
they  form  one  continuous  structure.  As  to  the  muscles  of 
the  crocodile  mentioned  in  the  quotation  just  made  from 
^H  '  'On  .l/i/i'»  //.'.'  loc.  cit.  p.  568. 


is          STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

Professor  HUXLEY,  we  have  already  referred  to  the  existence 
in  birds  of  what  may  be  considered  their  homologue,  and  we 
have  only  to  add  that  in  a  hornbill  the  left-hand  portion  of  the 
horizontal  septum  was  muscular — that,  at  any  rate,  a  strong 
band  of  muscle  bound  the  gizzard  to  the  left  oblique  septum. 

Circulatory  System 

The  bird's  heart  is  very  uniform  in  structure  ;  there  are 
very  few  and  but  slight  differences  in  any  part  of  the  heart 
between  the  most  and  the  least  specialised  forms.  It  is, 
however,  in  certain  particulars  equally  distinctive  in  structure, 
and  differs  in  a  number  of  well-marked  points  from  the  heart 
of  either  reptile  or  mammal.  As  might  be  expected,  the 
reptile  which  shows  the  nearest  approximation  in  the  anatomy 
of  its  heart  to  the  bird  is  the  crocodile,  while  the  Monotre- 
mata  are  the  mammals  which  on  the  other  side  occupy  a 
corresponding  position. 

As  with  the  mammalia  the  heart  is  completely  separated 
into  four  chambers  ;  in  the  bird  the  heart  has  perhaps  more 
of  an  elongated  form  than  in  the  mammal,  the  apex  (which, 
as  in  the  mammal,  is  formed  by  the  left  ventricle  alone)  being 
rather  more  pointed  than  in  the  heart  of  any  mammal.  In 
a  transverse  section  through  the  ventricular  walls  a  notable 
difference  in  the  relative  dimensions  of  the  right  and  left 
ventricles  for  the  two  types  is  apparent.  It  will  be  noted 
that  in  the  bird  the  cavity  of  the  right  ventricle  is,  as  it  were, 
partially  wrapped  round  that  of  the  left,  and  is  in  consequence 
of  a  decidedly  crescentic  form.  The  cavity  of  the  right 
ventricle  of  the  mammal's  heart  is  more  oval  in  form,  and  is 
not  wrapped  round  that  of  the  left.  In  this  particular  the 
Monotremata  stand  midway  between  the  bird  and  the  higher 
mammals. 

The  interest  of  the  structure  of  the  bird's  heart,  however, 
largely,  for  reasons  of  comparative  anatomy,  centres  in  that 
of  the  valve  which  guards  the  orifice  from  the  auricle.  The 
interior  of  that  ventricle  has  fairly  smooth  walls,  a  sculp- 
turing so  conspicuous  in  the  mammalian  ventricle  being 


CIRCULATORY    SYSTEM 


almost  entirely  absent.  The  valve  itself,  represented  in  fig. 
30,  really  consists  of  two  parts,  which  are  distinguished  by 
the  insertion  of  a  large  papillary  muscle,  which  ties  the  entire 
valve  to  the  free  wall  of  the  ventricle.  It  is  only  rarely  that 
any  other  representative  of  the  generally  numerous  papillary 
muscles  and  chordae  tendineae  of  the  mammalian  heart  occur, 
but  occasionally  a  few  muscular  threads  in  addition  to  the 
single  papillary  muscle  are  to  be  found.  Their  existence  has 
been  noted,  for  instance,  in  Aptcnjx  an  strolls  and  in  a  few 
other  birds.  It  has  been  usually  held  that  the  muscular 
right  auriculo- ventricular  valve  of  the  bird's  heart  represents 


x 


FIG.  30. — HEART  OF  FOWL,  INTERIOR 
OF  RIGHT  VENTRICLE. 

papillary  muscle  ;  6,  c.  valve.     (After 
LANKESTER.) 


FIG.  31. — HEART  OF  Aj>fi'i-i/.>\  INTERIOR 
OF  RIGHT  VENTRICLE,  WITH  ATTACH- 
MENT OF  PAPILLARY  MUSCLE  CUT 
THROUGH. 

X,  Hap  of  ventricular  wall  removed  with 
muscle.     (After  LANKKSTKII.) 


only  one  half  of  the  complete  valve  of  the  mammalian  and 
crocodilian  hearts.  In  these  last-mentioned  animals  the 
entire  circumference  of  the  ostium,  which  leads  from  the 
auricle  into  the  ventricle,  is  surrounded  by  the  valve,  which 
thus  forms  a  complete  collar.  There  is,  however,  an  excep- 
tion in  the  case  of  the  Monotremata,  where  the  septalflap  of 
the  valve  (i.e.  that  lying  on  the  side  of  the  ostium  which 
abuts  upon  the  interventricular  septum)  is  partially  or 
entirely  absent.  On  a  careful  comparison,  however,  between 

E 


50  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

the  bird's  heart  and  that  of  the  crocodile  it  appears  that  this 
is  not  the  case.  If  the  hearts  of  the  two  animals  be 
laid  side  by  side  in  a  corresponding  position,  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  crocodile's  heart  valve  is  furnished  with  a 
muscle  which  seems  comparable  to  that  lettered  a  in  the 
bird's  heart.  And,  furthermore,  on  the  septal  side  of  this 
muscle  the  fibres  which  in  the  bird  constitute  that  half 
of  the  valve  have  a  direction  which  is  quite  different  from 
that  of  the  fibres  in  the  other  and  larger  half.  Finally, 
while  the  larger  half  of  the  valve  is  never,  so  far  as  is 
known,  fibrous  in  character,  the  lesser  half  occasionally 
appears  to  be  so  wholly  or  partially.  Thus  there  are  some 
grounds  for  thinking  that  the  bird's  right  auriculo-ventricular 
valve  is  composed  of  a  complete  outer  half  and  of  a  smaller 
septal  half,  presenting,  therefore,  less  difference  in  this  one 
particular  from  the  monotrematous  than  from  the  crocodilian 
heart.1 

We  can,  therefore,  derive  the  bird's  heart  as  regards  this 
valve  from  a  heart  like  that  of  the  crocodile,  in  which  the 
septal  flap  has  for  the  most  part  disappeared.  But  in  one 
bird  at  any  rate  there  appear  to  be  traces  of  a  still  further 
retention  of  the  septal  half  of  the  valve.  GEGENBAUK,  who 
some  years  since  wrote  an  exhaustive  paper  upon  the  verte- 
brate heart,2  made  the  following  remarks  about  the  heart  of 
the  condor,  which  in  translation  run  as  follows  :- 

'  Only  in  the  heart  of  Sarcorhamphus  do  I  find  a  peculi- 
arity which  has  interest  in  this  connection.  From  the 
anterior  origin  of  the  muscular  valve  on  the  septum  ventricu- 
lorum  a  fold  runs  backwards,  which  is  formed  by  a  thicken- 
ing of  the  endocardium.  The  fold  runs  obliquely  backwards 
and  downwards,  and  crosses  in  its  direction  the  margin  of 
the  muscular  va]ve.  The  course  of  this  fold  corresponds  to 
the  line  of  origin  of  the  membranous  valvular  flap  of  the 
crocodile ;  I  think  it  reasonable,  therefore,  to  regard  it  as  a 

1  See  for  a  fuller  account  BEDDARD  and  MITCHELL,  '  On  the  Alligator's  Heart,' 
P.  Z.  S.  1895,  p.  342. 

-  '  Zur  vergleichenden  Anatomie  des  Herzens,'  Jen.  Zeitschr.  I860  ;  '  Notes 
on  the  Anatomy  of  the  Condor,'  P.  Z.  S.  1890,  p.  142. 


CIRCULATORY   SYSTEM  51 

remnant  of  the  structure  which  is  further  developed  in  the 
crocodile.' 

I  have,  since  that  sentence  was  written,  examined 
the  heart  of  a  condor,  in  which  was  found  along  a  line  corre- 
sponding to  where  the  nap  would  be,  were  it  present,  '  a 
series  of  tiny  yellowish  spots  and  vesicles  .  .  .  probably 
pathological,'  but  perhaps,  like  other  pathological  structures, 
associated  with  a  rudimentary  structure.  With  this  excep- 
tion no  trace  has  ever  been  found  of  a  septal  flap  other  than 
the  small  flap  already  described. 

The  left  ventricle  of  the  bird's  heart  has  an  auriculo- 
ventricular  valve,  which  is  completely  membranous,  and  is 
tied  to  the  parietes  of  the  ventricle  by  tendinous  threads 
attached  to  papillary  muscles. 

There  is  one  more  structure  occasionally  present  in  the 
right  ventricle  of  the  bird  to  which  we  must  direct  attention 
before  leaving  the  matter.  The  late  Professor  ROLLESTON, 
in  his  Hunteriaii  lecture,  described  and  figured  in  the  heart 
of  the  cassowrary  a  muscular  pillar  uniting  the  free  and 
fixed  walls  of  that  ventricle,  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of 
moderator  band.  This  structure  occurs  in  a  fewr  other  birds 
-for  example,  in  Clinnga  Burmeisteri,  where  it  has  been 
figured.  In  the  latter  bird,  however,  there  are  two  muscular 
bridges,  which  run  in  the  same  direction.  One  of  them  is  also 
connected  with  the  muscle  tying  the  auriculo-ventricular  valve 
to  the  free  wall  of  the  ventricle.  This  may  conceivably  be  a 
rudiment  of  the  septal  half  of  the  valve  lying  to  the  right  side 
of  the  heart.  In  any  case  these  moderator  bands,  which 
are  also  found  in  deer  and  in  other  running  animals,  seem 
to  be,  according  to  ROLLESTON'S  suggestion,  a  mechanism 
for  increasing  the  power  of  the  ventricle  to  contract,  and 
thus  ensuring  a  more  rapid  and  regular  flow  of  blood  into 
the  lungs.  It  is  characteristic,  where  it  occurs,  of  running 
animals.1 

1  For  other  facts  about  the  avian  heart  see  A.  SABATIEK,  '  Etudes  sur  le 
Cceur,'  &c.,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  (5),  xviii.  1873,  art.  No.  4  ;  F.  R.  GASCH,  '  Beitriige  z. 
vergleichenden  Anatomie  des  Herzens,'  Arch.  f.  Naturg.  liv.  1888,  p.  119  ; 
C.  ROSE,  'Beitrage  zur  vergleichenden  Anatomie  des  Herzens  der  Wirbelthiere,' 
Morph.  J.B.  xvi.  1890,  p.  27. 

E  2 


52 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


The  arterial  system  of  birds  1  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  the 
large  number  of  the  different  arrangements  of  the  carotids. 


FIG.  32. — NORMAL  AVIAN  CAROTIDS. 

i:c,  J.c,  carotids ;  r.s,  l.s,  subclaviaus  ;  r.i,  l.i, 
right  and  left  innominate  ;  a,  aorta  ;  ?i, 
its  origin.  (This  aiid  five  following  figs, 
after  UAIIROD.) 


FIG.  34. — CAROTIDS  OF  FLAMINGO. 
LETTERING  AS  IN  FIG.  32. 


r.s 


l.s 


FIG.  33. — CAROTIDS  OF  BITTERN. 
LETTERING  AS  IN  FIG.  32. 


r.s 


FIG.  35. — CAROTIDS  OF  Cacatua. 
LETTERING  AS  IN  FIG.  32. 


Many  writers,  especially  NITZSCH,  among  the  earlier  anato- 
mists, have  drawn  attention  to  some  of   these  variations. 

1  L.  A.  NEUGEBATJER,  '  Systema  Venosum  Avium,'  Nov.  Act.  Acad.  Nat.  Cur. 
xxi.  1845,  p.  517  ;  EATHKE,  '  Uber  die  Caroticlen  .  .  .  cler  Vogel,'  Arch.  f.  Anat.  u. 
Phys.  1850,  p.  184,  and  '  Bemerk.  liber  die  Entstehung,  &c.,  der  gemeinsch. 
Carotis,'  ibid.  1858,  p.  315  ;  GARROD,  '  On  the  Carotid  Arteries  of  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S. 
1873,  p.  457  ;  C.  H.  WADE,  '  Notes  on  the  Venous  System  of  Birds,'  J.  Linn 
Soc.  xii.  1876,  p.  531 ;  F.  HOCHSTETTER,  '  Beitriige  zur  Entwicklungsgeschichte 
des  Venensystems,'  &c.,  Morph.  J.B.  xiii.  1888,  p.  575,  and  '  tiber  den 
Ursprung  der  Subclavia  d.  Vogel,'  ibid.  xvi.  1890,  p.  484. 


CIRCULATORY    SYSTEM 


53 


But  the  whole  matter  was  described  at  considerable  length 
by  GAKROD,  who  had  more  abundant  material  to  work  upon, 
but  who,  nevertheless,  left  for  his  successor  FORBES  one  out 
of  the  eight  known  types  to  describe.  The  most  prevalent 
type  is  that  illustrated  in  fig.  32.  It  characterises  a  large 
number  of  birds.  The  two  carotids  are  of  equal  size,  and 
run  up  the  neck  for  the  latter  part  of  their  course  in  the 
hypapophysial  canal.  A  modification  of  this  (fig.  33)  is  seen 
in  the  common  bittern  and  other  birds,  where  the  carotids 
are  of  equal  size,  but  fuse  into  one  trunk  early  in  their 
course.  In  Phoenicopterus  the  right  (fig.  34)  and  in  Cacatna 


r.A- 


FIG.  36. — CAROTIDS  OF  PASSERINE. 
LETTERING  AS  IN  FIG.  32. 


Li 


FIG.  37. — ABNORMAL  ARRANGEMENT 
OF  CAROTIDS,  WHERE  THE  LEFT  is 
SUPERFICIAL  IN  POSITION. 


sulphured  (fig.  35)  the  left  of  the  two  trunks,  which  are  later 
fused  together,  are  very  much  the  smaller.  This  state  of 
affairs  leads  to  the  condition  shown  in  Passeres,  where  the 
left  carotid  alone  is  present  (fig.  36) .  Quite  exceptionally, 
and  only  seen  in  two  species  of  the  bustard,  genus  Eupodotis, 
the  right  carotid  alone  is  present. 

A  very  curious  modification  of  the  carotids  is  seen  (ex- 
ceptionally, according  to  FURBRINGER)  in  the  hornbill, 
Bucorvus.  Here  the  two  carotids  are  entirely  superficial, 
running  up  the  neck  in  company  with  the  vagus  nerves.  In 
this  case,  as  OTTLEY  discovered,  the  true  carotids  are  reduced 
to  the  condition  of  white  imperforate  cords,  the  developed 


54  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

carotids  being  the  equivalents  of  the  comes  vagi  nervi  of 
other  birds.  FOEBES  thought  that  the  same  might  be  the 
case  with  Leptosoma,  where  the  carotids  are  unusually 
small,  and  apparently  bound  together,  not  absolutely  fused, 
as  also  in  Opisthocomus.  In  certain  parrots  the  left  carotid 
artery  is  superficial,  while  the  right  runs  in  the  ordinary 
way  within  the  vertebral  canal.  This  is  illustrated  in  the 
accompanying  figure  (fig.  37).  A  final  variation  has  been 
observed  by  FOEBES  in  the  passerine  Orthoiiys,  where  the 
left  carotid,  as  in  all  passerines,  is  alone  present ;  but  it  runs 
superficially,  and  there  is  no  deep  right  carotid,  as  in  the 
parrots,  just  referred  to.  These  facts,  striking  though  they 
are,  are  unfortunately  of  but  little  value  in  classification,  or 
at  least  their  value  is  not  understood.  We  may,  however, 
accept  FOEBES'S  statement  that  '  no  passerine  bird  has  ever 
yet  been  found  with  more  than  a  left  carotid,  and  no  pigeon, 
duck,  or  bird  of  prey  without  two  normally  placed  ones.' 

In  all  birds,  as  is  well  known,  the  right  aortic  arch  !  has 
alone  persisted.  It  is,  however,  a  commonplace  of  the  text- 
books to  mention  the  fact  that  the  Eaptores  have  often  a 
ligamentous  rudiment  of  the  left.  There  are  occasionally 
(perhaps  individual)  remains  of  the  left  arch  more  conspicu- 
ous. Thus  I  have  found  a  considerable  tract  of  the  left  arch 
capable  of  being  injected,  and  measuring  quite  an  inch  in 
length,  in  Spizcetus  and  in  the  hornbill  Aceros.  Cariama, 
I  may  mention,  has  (at  least  sometimes)  a  ligament  repre- 
senting the  otherwise  aborted  left  aortic  arch. 

A  variation  in  the  thigh  arteries  has  been  noted  by 
GAEEOD,  who  found  that  in  some  birds  the  ischiadic,  in 
others  the  femoral,  wras  the  most  important.  In  Passeres  the 
neotropical  Clamatores  were  termed  by  him  Heteromeri, 
since  the  femoral  was  the  principal  artery  ;  other  Passeres 
(including,  however,  the  neotropical  and  clamatorial  genus 
Rupicola)  Homoeomeri,  from  their  ischiadic  artery.  The  fact 

'  J.  Y.  MACKAY,  '  The  Development  of  the  Branchial  Arterial  Arches  in 
Birds,'  &c.,  Phil.  Trans,  clxxix.  1889,  p.  Ill  ;  J.  F.  VAN  BEMMELEX,  '  Die  Visceral- 
taschen  u.  Aortenbogen  bei  Keptilien  u.  Vogeln,'  Zoul.  Anz.  ix.  1880,  pp.  5'2(>, 
543. 


CIRCULATORY   SYSTEM  55 

that  in  different  species  of  the  same  genus  (Centropus)  the 
same  variation  occurs  tends  to  throw  considerable  doubt 
upon  the  value  of  the  character,  an  observation  that  is  fre- 
quently and  unfortunately  necessary  to  make  in  describing 
the  anatomy  of  birds. 

The  descending  aorta  gives  off  three  branches,  which 
supply  the  alimentary  canal.  These  are,  in  order  of  origin, 
the  coeliac,  the  superior,  and  the  inferior  mesenteric.  These 
arteries  do  not,  however,  supply  certain  definite  regions  of 
the  gut.  Thus  in  Bernicla  rnbidiceps  the  left  caecum 
receives  its  blood  both  from  the  coeliac  and  from  the  superior 
mesenteric.  The  right  caecum,  however,  appears  to  be 
supplied  by  the  superior  mesenteric  alone.  The  coeliac  is 
mainly  concerned  with  the  blood  supply  of  the  stomach  and 
the  liver.  In  Porphyrio  the  two  caeca  are  provided  with 
blood  from  both  coeliac  and  superior  mesenteric.  A  dissection 
of  Platalea  leucorliodia  showed  that  roughly  the  coeliac  was 
concerned  with  the  blood  supply  of  the  duodenal  loop  and 
of  the  posterior  part  of  the  intestine  ;  the  mesenteric,  on  the 
other  hand,  supplied  the  anterior  part  of  the  intestine,  ex- 
cepting the  duodenal  loop. 

In  a  few  birds  (e.g.  in  Buceros  and  Haliaetus,  GADOW) 
the  coeliac  and  superior  mesenteric  arise  from  a  common 
stem. 

The  posterior  mesenteric  supplies  the  end  of  the  alimen- 
tary tract.  The  aorta  also  gives  off  two  spermatic  arteries, 
and  on  either  side  a  crural  and  an  ischiadic. 

We  shall  deal  briefly  with  the  venous  system,  since  it  has  not 
been  up  to  the  present  largely  used  for  systematic  purposes. 
This  is  doubtless  due  in  a  great  measure  to  our  imperfect 
knowledge  of  the  variations  that  occur.  As  in  the  lower 
mammalia,  there  are  two  venae  cavse  superiores.  These 
are  formed  by  the  union  on  each  side  of  a  jugular,  a  sub- 
clavian,  and  a  vertebral.  The  two  jugulars  are  often  of  very 
unequal  size ;  the  right  is  usually  stronger  than  the  left,  but 
the  two  veins  are  connected  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the 
head  by  a  transverse  branch.  Sometimes  the  left  jugular 
may  absolutely  disappear.  Connected  with  the  subclavian 


56  STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

are  several  veins  which  extend  on  to  the  pectoral  and  even 
on  to  the  abdominal  region  of  the  body.  Most  important 
on  physiological  grounds  of  these  is  the  abdomino-pectoral, 
which  on  each  side  of  the  body  collects  blood  from  the 
pectoral  and  abdominal  regions,  and  forms  in  the  female 
during  the  breeding  season  a  network  of  vessels  with  the 
corresponding  arteries. 

The  vena  cava  inferior  is  composed  of  the  two  hepatic 
trunks  and  of  an  unpaired  median  portion,  the  main  stein  of 
the  vena  cava.  The  latter  traverses  the  right  lobe  of  the 
liver,  and  in  its  transit  receives  several  smaller  twigs  from 
the  liver.  At  the  commencement  of  the  kidney  the  vena 
cava  divides  into,  or  rather  is  composed  of,  the  two  venae 
iliacae.  It  has  been  pointed  out  that  in  diving  birds  the 
part  of  the  vena  cava  which  traverses  the  liver  is  wider  than 
in  other  birds,  a  state  of  affairs  which  is  paralleled  in  certain 
aquatic  mammals. 

The  two  common  iliacs  divide  each  of  them  into  two  veins, 
of  which  the  first  to  be  given  off  is  termed  the  vena  iliaca 
externa.  This  divides  at  once  in  the  pigeon  (according  to 
JOURDAN)  into  the  femoral  and  into  a  trunk  which  runs 
along  the  kidney,  and  after  giving  off  the  sciatic  and 
numerous  branches  to  the  kidney  substance  receives  the 
hypogastric  from  the  pelvic  region,  and  then  joins  its  fellow 
in  the  middle  line  ;  at  the  point  of  junction  of  the  two 
iliacae  externae  a  median  coccygeal  is  received,  and  a  median 
mesenteric  from  in  front.  The  other  branch  of  the  iliaca 
communis  is  purely  renal.  It  results  from  what  has  been 
said  that  blood  entering  the  kidney  from  any  of  the 
branches  of  the  common  iliacs  may  traverse  the  kidney 
substance  before  reaching  the  heart  via  the  vena  cava 
posterior.  The  suprarenal  bodies  also  have  their  portal 
system.  The  body  of  each  side  receives  a  branch  from  the 
rib  region  and  from  the  branch  of  the  iliac  which  runs 
embedded  in  the  substance  of  the  kidney. 

The  existence  of  a  renal  portal  system  in  birds  is 
therefore  possible,  but  not  certain,  on  the  anatomical  facts 
available ;  but  the  liver  portal  system,  as  in  all  other  verte- 


CIRCULATORY   SYSTEM  57 

brates,  is  quite  certain.     All  the  blood  from  the  alimentary 
canal,  however,  need  not  reach  the  heart  via  the  liver. 

In  Acer'os  iiipalensis  the  vena  cava  inferior  receives  three 
veins  from  the  liver,  the  abdominal  vein  (see  below),  and  a 
smaller  twig  which  is  compounded  of  branches  from  the 
oesophagus.  Moreover  the  blood  from  the  posterior  part  of 
the  intestine,  at  any  rate,  may  reach  the  system  of  the  vena 
cava  inferior  via  the  mesenteric  vein,  which,  as  already 
stated,  enters  the  iliacs  at  their  point  of  junction  in  the 
middle  line. 

In  addition  to  the  main  portal  trunk  a  number  of  small 
veins  (five  on  the  left  side  in  Chauna  chavaria)  may  enter  the 
liver  lobes  separately,  a  state  of  affairs  which  is  precisely 
that  found  in  lizards. 

The  umbilical  vein,  which  is  the  equivalent  of  a  part  at 
least  of  the  anterior  abdominal  vein  of  the  lower  vertebrata, 
is  found  in  very  various  conditions  of  degeneration  among 
birds.  In  some  it  appears  to  be  fairly  well  developed ;  in 
others  it  is  practically  absent  altogether.  In  a  specimen  of 
the  hornbill  Aceros  nipalensis  it  was  as  well  developed  as 
I  have  ever  found  it  in  birds.  The  vein  arose  near  to  the 
posterior  end  of  the  abdominal  cavity  as  a  double  vessel ; 
further  forward  the  two  halves  joined  to  form  a  single 
vessel.  The  vein  is  supported  by  the  falciform  ligament, 
and  the  upper  of  the  two  component  vessels  receives,  not 
very  far  from  the  junction  of  the  two,  a  recurrent  vessel 
from  the  inside  of  the  sternum.  It  may  be  that  the 
recurrent  nature  of  this  vessel  is  one  among  many  hints  of 
the  shortening  of  the  sternum  among  birds.  The  anterior 
abdominal  trunk  does  not  enter  the  liver,  but  joins  the 
hepatic  vessels,  and  its  blood  is  conveyed  straight  to  the 
heart. 

In  Platalea  leucorhodia  I  could  find  no  trace  of  an 
anterior  abdominal  vein  in  the  falciform  ligament.  In  Gni* 
monachus  it  was  very  small  ;  in  a  large  number  of  other 
birds  of  different  families  the  vein  was  present,  and  large,  e.g. 
Crax  globicera,  Spizaetus  coronatus,  Serpentarius,  Bucorvusy 
Chauna  chavaria,  Botaurus  stellaris,  Bernicla  brenta,  &c. 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


Respiratory  System 

Trachea. — As  a  general  rule  the  trachea  is  a  straight  tube 
passing  into  the  thorax,  where  it  bifurcates  into  the  two 
bronchi.  It  is  composed  throughout  of  rings,  which  are 

cartilaginous,  or  may  be 
wholly  or  partially  ossified. 
The  rings  are  generally 


simple  rings,  which  are  like 
each  other  and  quite  com- 
plete, excepting  just  at  the 
bifurcation,  where  it  is  com- 
mon for  them  to  be  modi- 
fied in  connection  with  the 
formation  of  the  syrinx. 

This  is  especially  marked 
in  the  tracheophone  Passeres 
and  in  the  Ciconiidae,  to  the 
accounts  of  which  families  (as 
well  as  to  below,  '  Syrinx  _') 
reference  must  be  made  for 
the  facts.  Other  modifica- 
tions of  some  of  the  last 
tracheal  rings  are  to  be  seen 
in  the  cassowary,  where  the 
last  few  are  incomplete 
behind,  as  in  the  mammals 
and  in  the  bird  of  Paradise, 
Seleucides  (see  fig.  38),  where 
the  membranous  interspaces 
between  the  rings  become 

FIG.  38. — WINDPIPE  OF  Seleucides  nigra. 

4-11,  tracheai  rings;  in,  third  bronchial ;  ^,  largely    increased,    and    the 

rings  ossified  at  both  sides, 
but  not  in  the  middle,  in  a  peculiar  fashion. 

A  peculiarity  of  the  trachea,  seen  in  representatives  of 
some  most  diverse  groups  of  birds,  is  its  looping.  This  is, 
of  course,  suggestive  of  the  similar  looping  of  the  trachea  in 


RESPIRATORY    SYSTEM 


r,o 


crocodiles  and  chelonia.     The  occurrence  of   this  state  of 
affairs  is  not  a  character  of  any  one  group,  but  it  is  found 

Tr>. 


FIG.  39. — BHKAST  REGION  OF  Manucodia. 
Tr,  trachea ;  P.M,  pectoral  muscle  ;  Fern,  femur. 

sporadically,  as  it  were,  in  members  of  quite  different  groups. 
The  facts  have  been  collected  into  a  general  account  of  the 


60  STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

matter  by  FORBES.  1  There  are  various  grades  of  this 
lengthening  of  the  trachea.  In  certain  species  of  Phon/j- 
gama  and  Manucodia  among  the  Oscines  the  loops,  which 
vary  in  complication,  lie,  as  is  shown  in  the  figure  of 
Manucodia  (fig.  39),  beneath  the  skin.  Many  of  the  curassows, 
a  few  Scolopacidae  (Rhynchtea  australis  and  E.  capensis),  the 
duck  Anseranas  melanoleuca,  have  a  convoluted  trachea  of 
the  same  kind.  In  the  male  of  Tetrao  urogallus  the  loop  is 
present,  but  is  in  the  cervical  region,  not  in  the  thoracic 
and  abdominal,  as  in  the  types  just  referred  to. 

The  Syrinx. — The  voice  organ  of  birds,  usually  termed 
the  syrinx,  is,  as  is  well  known,  situated  at  the  bifurcation 
of  the  two  bronchi.  Its  complexity  varies  greatly,  though 
it  cannot  be  said  that  a  complex  voice  organ  necessarily 
implies  an  elaboration  of  sound-producing  power.  Some  of 
the  singing  birds  and  the  parrots,  whose  voices  are  capable 
of  emitting  a  great  variety  of  tones,  have,  it  is  true,  a  much 
specialised  syrinx.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  there  are  other 
passerines  which  have  just  as  complicated  a  syrinx,  but  can, 
like  the  raven,  by  no  means  vie  with  some  of  the  starling 
tribe,  for  example,  in  range  of  sound.  Then,  too,  some  of 
the  singing  passerines  have  syringes  which  are  much  simpler 
than  those  of  others  which  sing  as  well  and  no  better. 
It  is,  however,  true  that  in  the  least  differentiated  forms  of 
syrinx  the  bird  has  but  one  or  two  notes.  The  ostrich,  for 
example,  which  has  one  of  the  simplest  syringes,  can  roar, 
but  possesses  no  variety  of  sound.  The  Apteryx,  whose 
syrinx  is  about  on  the  same  level  of  organisation,  appears 
to  be  absolutely  mute.  The  sounds  of  the  emu  are  due 
not  to  its  simple  syrinx,  but,  chiefly  at  any  rate,  to  a 
throat  pouch,  to  which  due  reference  will  be  made  later. 

The  syrinx  of  birds,  as  has  been  said,  varies  considerably 
in  structure.  Many  of  the  variations  will  be  treated  of  in 
the  systematic  part  of  this  book,  since  they  are  more  of 
systematic  than  of  morphological  interest.  In  this  place, 
however,  the  leading  modifications  of  the  organ  will  be 

1  '  On  the  Convoluted  Trachea  of  two  Species  of  Manucode,  with  Bemarks  on 
similar  Structures  in  other  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  347. 


EESPIllATOKY    SYSTEM 


61 


shortly  described.     The  syrinx  is  an  organ  special  to  birds  ; 

there  are  no  hints  of  it  in  any  reptile.     In  reptiles  there  is 

no  modification  at  the  bifurcation  of  the  bronchi  ;  the  tube 

simply  branches,  and  there   are  two  sets    of   cartilaginous 

rings    where    there    was    but    one.        In    birds    the  case  is 

different,  and  it  may  be  convenient  to  commence  with  what 

may  be  regarded  as  the  typical  avian  syrinx,  which  has  been 

termed  the  '  tracheo-broi/cJiial,'  since  the  end  of  the  trachea 

and     the     beginning     of      the 

bronchi    take    a    share    in    its 

formation.     It  is  fair   to    term 

this    the    typical    syrinx,    since 

it  is  found  in  the  majority  of  the 

groups  of  birds  ;  it  occurs,  for 

instance,  in  such  diverse  families 

as  Passerines,  Ardeidae,  Eallidae, 

Struthiones,   Picariae,  &c.       The 

accompanying     cuts     illustrate 

this  form  of  syrinx  in  a  number 

of  birds,  and  from  an  inspection 

of  them  the  principal  features 

in  the  organisation  of  this  form 

of     syrinx    may    be    gathered. 

At  the  end  of  the  trachea  there 

is    usually    a    certain    amount 

,,  -, . ,,       .  .  FIG.  40. — SYIIINX  OF  Indicato  , 

of  modification  of  the  tracheal  ENLARGED. 

rillgS,     which    may    be     more    O11  ". first  bronchial  semi-rings.  (After  GAKKOD.) 

less  marked,  and  may  be  in  different  directions.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  particularise  here,  and  we  can  select  fig.  40 
to  illustrate  one  example  of  this  modification,  which  consists 
in  a  complete  fusion  of  the  last  few  rings  of  the  trachea. 
The  bronchi  are  formed  at  first  of  the  short  semi-rings,  the 
wide  interspace  being  occupied  by  membrane,  the  tympani- 
form  membrane,  which  closes  them  internally  ;  the  extent 
of  this  membrane  varies,  and  below  it  the  bronchial  semi- 
rings become  more  closely  applied — sometimes,  indeed, 
becoming  complete  rings.  The  tympaniform  membrane  of 
each  bronchus  is  separated  from  its  fellow  by  a  cartilaginous 


62 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


or  bony  bar,  which  runs  across  the  base  of  the  trachea, 
arising  from  the  last  tracheal  ring  anteriorly,  and  attached 
to  the  penultimate  or  antepenultimate  ring  posteriorly. 
This  bar  is  called  the  pessulus.  It  is  shown  in  fig.  41, 
which  represents  a  syrinx  seen  from  below.  When  the 
syrinx  is  cut  open  it  may  be  seen  that  this  bony  bar  bears  a 
tough  semilunar  membrane,  directed  upwards  between  the 
bronchi  ;  the  voice  is  due  to  the  vibrations  of  this  mem- 
brana  semilunaris. 

Another  external  feature  of  the  typical  tracheo-bronchial 
syrinx  is  the  presence  of  a  pair  of  mus- 
cles which  arise  some  way  up  the  trachea 
and  are  inserted  on  to  an  early  semi- 
ring of  the  bronchial  series,  one  on  each 
side,  or  even  to  the  last  or  nearly  the  last 
of  the  tracheal  series.  From  this  starting 
point  we  can  follow  the  modification  of 


FIG.  41. — SYRINX  OF  Cymbirlu/uclt/ts,       FIG.  42.— SYRINX  OF  Balceniceps. 
<   5,   FROM  BEHIND   (AFTER  FoKT.Ks).  »',  ligamentous  rudiment  of  intrinsic 


muscle. 


the  syrinx  in  a  number  of  directions — in  the  way  of  com- 
plication, in  the  way  of  simplification,  and  in  a  direction  of 
alteration  which  can  hardly  be  termed  either  complication  or 
simplification. 

The  first  sign  of  simplification  is  the  disappearance  of 
the  intrinsic  syringeal  muscles,  which  in  many  forms  have 
completely  disappeared.  The  disappearance  is  not  neces- 
sarily associated  with  any  other  changes  in  the  general 
structure  of  the  organ.  Occasionally,  as  in  Bal&niceps  (see 


RESPIRATORY    SYSTEM  63 

fig.  42),  the  former  presence  of  the  muscle  is  testified  to  by 
a  thin  ligament,  which  occupies  the  position  that  the  muscle 
would  occupy  were  it  present. 

The  syrinx  of  the  hoatzin  shows  an  intermediate  stage  ; 
the  muscle  is  absent  for  the  lower  part  of  its  course,  but 
present  above  ;  it  is  represented  below  by  a  fibrous  band.  It 
seems  from  what  wre  know  of  the  relation  of  muscle  to 
tendon  generally  that  this  change  is  in  the  direction  indi- 
cated and  not  in  the  converse  direction.  The  fibrous  band  of 
the  syrinx  of  Balceniceps  has,  so  to  speak,  been  muscle  ;  it  is 
not  on  its  way  to  become  muscle.  The  ostrich  affords  an 
example  of  a  further  degeneration  of  the  syrinx,  or  a  reten- 
tion of  a  very  primitive  and  unspecialised  syrinx,  according 
as  we  view  the  facts.  The  syrinx  of  this  bird  has  been  care- 
fully described  and  figured  by  FORBES/  whose  words  we  will 
quote.  '  The  trachea  inferior  to  the  insertion  of  the  sterno- 
tracheales  slightly  narrows,  having  above  the  antepenultimate 
ring  a  diameter  of  about  one  inch.  The  tracheal  rings  are  here, 
as  elsewhere,  entire  simple  rings  of  an  average  depth  of  about 
•15  inch,  and  are  separated  only  by  very  slight  interannular 
intervals.  The  trachea  is  slightly  compressed  and  posteriorly 
carinated  for  about  the  last  seven  rings.  The  last  ring  but 
four  is  somewhat  produced  downwards  in  the  middle  line 
both  anteriorly  and  posteriorly  ;  it  is  in  consequence  nar- 
rower laterally  than  elsewhere.  The  antepenultimate  ring- 
presents  the  same  features  more  strongly  developed.  In 
two  of  the  four  specimens  examined  it  sent  down  a  small 
prssuliform  process  of  cartilage  in  the  middle  line  behind, 
filling  the  chink  left  between  the  posterior  extremities  of 
the  last  two  (incomplete)  rings.  The  penultimate  ring  is 
narrower  and  more  cylindrical  than  its  predecessors ;  it  is 
also  wider  transversely,  and  incomplete  behind  in  the  middle 
line,  its  extremities,  however,  being  closely  approximated  to 
each  other.  The  last  tracheal  ring  is  still  wider  transversely, 
and  more  cylindrical  ;  and  it,  too,  is  incomplete  posteriorly 
to  a  greater  extent  than  its  predecessor  ;  viewed  from  the 

'  '  On  the  Conformation  of  the  Thoracic  End  of  the  Trachea  in  the  "Eatite  " 
Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  778. 


64 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


side  it  is  convex  upwards,  as  are  its  immediate  predecessors 
in  a  less  degree.  The  interannular  intervals  between  all 
these  rings  are,  when  undisturbed,  mere  chinks  filled  up 


FIG.  43. — SYRINX  OF  titridhio. 

a,  last,  <M,  penultimate,  ooo  antepenultimate  tracheal  rings  :  I,  section  of  wall  of  wind- 
pipe to  show  vocal  chord ;  1-7,  tracheal,  I,  II,  bronchial  rings.     (After  FOHUKS.  ) 

by  dense  fibrous  and  elastic  tissue.     There  is  no  trace  of  a 
pessulus,  though  the  last  tracheal  ring  is  slightly  produced 


FIG.  44. — THE  SAME  SYRINX  FROM  BEHIND. 

downwards  in  front.  The  first  bronchial  semi-ring  on  each 
side  is  narrow  and  cylindrical,  strongest  anteriorly,  and 
somewhat  attenuated  posteriorly.  It  is  separated  only  by  a 


EESPIRATORY   SYSTEM  65 

narrow  interval  from  the  last  tracheal  ring.  The  second  and 
third  rings  are  similar,  but  are  more  slender  and  lengthy ; 
they  are  convex  downwards,  but  very  slightly  so ;  hence  the 
interannular  intervals  are  slight  here  also.  Their  anterior 
ends  are  very  slight,  inturned,  impinging  but  to  a  small 
extent  on  the  membrana  tympaniforniis,  which  completes 
the  bronchial  tubes  internally,  and,  in  consequence  of  the 
absence  of  any  three-way  piece,  passes  continuously  from 
one  bronchus  to  another,  so  closing  the  tracheal  tube  in- 
feriorly.  The  fourth,  fifth,  and  succeeding  bronchial  rings 
are  similar  in  character,  but  their  ends,  which  tend  to  be 
dilated  posteriorly,  are  successively  more  and  more  incurved 
to  about  the  tenth.  Nowhere  are  the  bronchial  rings  com- 
plete. There  is  at  most  only  a  trace  of  a  membrana  semi- 
lunaris,  in  the  form  of  a  feeble,  scarcely  raised  antero-pos- 
teriorly  directed  fold  of  mucous  membrane.' 

This  syrinx,  therefore,  differs  from  the  more  typical 
tracheo-bronchial  syrinx  in,  at  any  rate,  three  essentials— 
(1)  the  absence  of  tracheo-bronchial  muscles ;  ('2)  in  the 
slight  amount  of  specialisation  of  the  last  rings  of  the  trachea  ; 
and  (3)  in  the  absence  of  a  pessulus.  The  only  distinguish- 
ing feature  of  the  syrinx  which  is  present  is  the  membrana 
tympaniformis.  But  the  presence  of  this,  and  of  the  rudi- 
mentary membrana  semilunaris,  fully  justified  FORBES  in 
contradicting  the  assertion,  prevalent  at  the  time  when  he 
wrote,  that  the  Struthiones  had  no  '  lower  larynx,'  an  assertion, 
indeed,  which  could  not  possibly  be  made  with  the  syrinx  of 
Ehca,  a  quite  typically  tracheo-bronchial  one,  in  existence. 
Still,  it  is  undoubted  that  the  syrinx  of  the  ostrich  is  in  a 
very  simple  condition,  and  hardly  deserves  the  name.  In 
the  stork  tribe  we  have  a  series  of  stages  in  the  degeneration 
of  the  syrinx.  In  Abdiinia  splienorlujnclia,  as  in  other 
storks,  there  are  no  intrinsic  syringeal  muscles,  but  the 
membrana  tympaniformis  is  well  developed  and  of  consider- 
able extent.  In  Xenorhynclius  the  membrana  tympaniformis 
is  almost,  but  not  quite,  obliterated,  and,  finally,  in  Ciconin 
the  bronchial  rings  are  rings,  and  not  semi-rings  ;  there  is  in 
them  no  trace  of  a  membrana  tympaniformis  ;  but  in  all  the 

v 


66 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


pessulus  is  present.  The  syrinx  of  the  stork,  indeed,  and  of 
the  American  vultures  very  nearly  approaches  what  we 
should  on  a  priori  grounds  regard  as  the  original  form  of 
the  syrinx. 

In  the  other  direction  the  syrinx  may  be  further  increased 
in  complication ;  this  is  brought  about  by  an  hypertrophy  of 
the  intrinsic  muscles.  The  simplest  case  is  that  of  the 
plover,  Vanellus  cayenuensis,  figured  and  described  by 
GAEEOD,'  whose  figure  is  here  reproduced.  It  will  not  need 


FIG.  45. — SYRINX  OF   Yanclla  cayennensis,  FROM  IN  FRONT  (AFTER  GARROD). 

much  description  ;  the  principal  change  is  in  the  enormously 
thickened  pair  of  muscles. 

This  modification  of  the  syrinx,  however,  is  seen  at  its 
extreme  in  certain  passerines  and  in  the  parrots.  Here  we 
meet  with  a  multiplication  of  the  intrinsic  muscles,  which 
may  exist  to  the  number  of  three  or  four  pairs.  A  syrinx  of 
this  kind,  when  found  in  the  Passeres,  is  frequently  termed 
oscinine,  the  group  of  Passeres  exhibiting  the  character  being 
the  Oscines,  a  term,  however,  which  is  not  now  used  in  the 
classification  of  the  group. 

1   'On  the  Trachea  of  the  Tantalus  locitlator  and  of  Yanellus  caijcnnensis,' 
P.  7..  .S.  1878,  p.  625. 


RESPIRATORY    SYSTEM 


67 


In  Menura  superba,  which  has  been  described  by  GAEROD, 
there  are  three  pairs  of  muscles,  which  are  attached  to 
different  bronchia]  semi-rings  ;  the  posterior  pair  of  muscles 
are  attached  to  a  ring  below  that  which  bears  the  insertion 
of  the  anterior  pair,  while  the  remaining  middle  pair  are 
inserted  higher  up  again. 

We  now  come  to  the  consideration  of  those  modifications 
of  the  syrinx  which  will  be  spoken  of  neither  as  degenerations 
nor  complications.  They  are  parallel  modifications,  which 


FIG.  46. — THE  SAME  FKOM  BEHIND  (AFTER  GAKKOI>). 

can  in  all  cases  be  traced  to  the  typical  tracheo-bronchial 
syrinx,  though  whether  they  have  originated  from  it  is,  of 
course,  a  matter  of  question.  To  the  two  varieties  of  syrinx 
which  we  briefly  refer  to  here  the  names  tracheal  and 
bronchial  syrinx  have  been  given,  implying  the  fact  that 
the  modification  of  the  windpipe  has  taken  place  in  the 
one  case  mainly  or  entirely  in  the  trachea,  and  in  the  other 
mainly  or  entirely  in  the  bronchi. 

The  tracheal  syrinx  is  distinctive  of  a  group  of  Passeres 
which  have  been  on  that  account  called  the  Tracheophonse  ; 


68 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF    BIRDS 


but  a  syrinx  that  presents  some  of  the  same  characteristic 
modifications  distinguishes  the  stork  tribe.     The  principal 

modification  of  this  type  of 
syrinx  is  that  a  large  number 
of  tracheal  rings  are  altered 
in  character,  in  a  way  which 
will  be  pointed  out  in  detail 
for  one  or  two  forms.  The 
tracheal  syrinx  of  the  Passeres 
was  investigated  by  JOHANNE  s 
MiJLLER,1  but  GAEROD  has 
added  many  new  facts  of 
importance  to  our  knowledge 
of  this  kind  of  syrinx. 

In  Hijlactes  megapodius 
there  are  nine  tracheal  rings 
which  are  very  much  thinner 
than  their  predecessors ;  on 
the  anterior  side,  however, 
there  are  twenty-three  which 
are  thus  altered.  Two  or  three 
of  the  anterior  bronchial 
semi-rings  are  modified  and 
ossified  ;  from  the  second  of 
these  on  each  side  is  a  ridge 
of  cartilage,  the  processus 
vocalis,  which  extends  up  to 
the  twelfth  tracheal  ring 
(from  the  bottom) .  As  a  rule 
these  tracheophone  Passeres 
possess  intrinsic  muscles  to 
FIG.  47 TRACHEA  OF  Tantalus  locu-  their  syringes,  but  the  rule  is 

lator.       a.  FROM    FRONT,     b.  FROM          .      witv.rmi-      pvr>pnfinn<5     of 
SIDE.     (AFTEB  GABHOD.)  11Ot     wltno1         BXCept    )11S, 

which    Conopopliaga   is  one, 

as  well  as  Hylactes,  already  described ;  others,  such  as 
Furnarius,  have  the  intrinsic  muscles.  The  same  form  of 
syrinx  seems  to  exist  in  the  storks.  In  Tantalus  loculator, 

1  In  Abh.  Berlin.  Akad.  1845,  p.  367. 


RESPIRATORY   SYSTEM 


69 


bouring 


rings 


for  instance  (see  fig.  47),  the  lowest  seventy-eight  rings  of  the 
trachea  are  modified  through  being  thinner  than  those  else- 
where, and  this  portion  of  the  tube  is  of  a  greater  calibre  than 
that  above.  In  Cicoina  alba  the  lowest  twenty-nine  rings  are 
thus  changed  in  structure,  and  '  there  is  a  small  prolongation 
upwards  of  the  lateral  portions  of  the  three  lowermost 
tracheal  rings,  which  forms  a  consolidated  triangular  process 
on  each  side,  overlapping  the  next  few  rings  and  looking 
extremely  like  the  rudiment  of  the  similarly  situated  proces- 
sus  vocales  of  the  passerine 
tracheophone  syrinx,  which 
resemblance  is  increased  by 
the  thinness  of  the  neigh- 
aiid  by  their 
from  before 
backwards.' 

The  bronchial  syrinx  is 
seen  in  its  most  extreme  de- 
velopment in  Steatornis  and 
in  Crotophaga,  where  it  was 
originally  described  by  MUL- 
LER  ;  but  other  cuckoos  and 
goatsuckers,  as  has  been 
shown  by  me,1  possess  also 
a  syrinx  which  may  be 
called  bronchial ;  further- 
more, as  WUNDEELICH  has 
shown,2  the  owrl  tribe  resem- 
ble the  goatsuckers  in  this 


being  flattened 


FIG.  48.— SYRINX  OF  Steatornis.    FRONT 
VIEW.     (AFTER  GARROD). 


respect,  while  there  are  in- 
dications of  the  bronchial  syrinx  in  certain  petrels. 

The  fullest  description  of  the  syrinx  of  Steatornis,  which 
we  take  as  a  type  of  the  perfectly  formed  bronchial  syrinx, 

1  '  On  the  Syrinx  and  other  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  the  Gaprimulgidse,' 
P.  Z.  ,S'.  1886,  p.  147 ;  '  On  the  Structural  Characters  and  Classification  of  the 
Cuckoos,'  P.  Z.  S.  1888,  p.  168. 

-  'Beitriige  zur  vergleichenden  Anatomie  und  Entwickelungsgeschichte  des 
unteren  Kehlkopfs  der  Vf^el,'  Nor.  Act.  Acad.  Leop.  Cces.  1884. 


70  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

is  contained  in  a  paper  upon  the  general  anatomy  of  this 
bird  by  GARROD.1  From  that  paper  we  borrow  the  descrip- 
tion as  well  as  the  illustration.  It  will  be  seen  from  that 
drawing  (fig.  48)  that  the  trachea  of  the  bird  bifurcates,  as 
does  the  trachea  of  a  mammal,  without  any  modification  of 
the  rings,  either  tracheal  or  bronchial.  The  latter  are  at  first 
complete  rings  ;  it  is  not  until  the  thirteenth  or  fourteenth 
—the  exact  position  appears  to  vary — that  the  syrinx  appears  ; 
here  the  rings  cease  to  be  complete  rings,  and  are  semi-rings- , 
their  inner  ends  being  completed  by  membrane,  the  mem- 
brana  tympaniformis.  To  the  first  of  these  modified  semi- 
rings is  attached  in  the  case  of  either  bronchus  the  intrinsic 
muscle  of  the  syrinx. 

The  transition  between  this  purely  bronchial  syrinx  and 
the  more  usual  tracheo-bronchial  syrinx  is  afforded  by 
various  genera  of  cuckoos  and  goatsuckers  (of  which  a  par- 
ticular description  will  be  found  later),  in  which  the  mem- 
brana  tympaniformis  is  placed,  as  in  Steatornis,  far  down 
the  bronchus,  but  which  have  also  a  sheet  of  membrane 
forming  a  continuation  of  the  membrana  upwards  to  the 
trachea,  which  is  due  to  the  non-closure  internally  of  the 
earlier  bronchial  semi-rings  ;  this  latter  gets  more  and  more 
limited  in  various  genera  until  we  have  the  purely  tracheo- 
bronchial  syrinx,  in  which  the  wide  membrana  tympani- 
formis commences  at  once  on  the  bifurcation  of  the 
bronchi. 

The  syrinx  has  undoubtedly  some  value  as  a  test  of 
affinity.  As  to  the  Passeres,  it  is,  as  FURBRINGER  has 
remarked,  a  '  classical '  object  for  the  determination  of 
relationships.  In  other  families  too  it  is  of  importance.  From 
a  more  general  standpoint,  however,  apparently  but  little 
reliance  can  be  placed  on  the  modifications  of  this  so  variable 
organ.  An  approximation  to  the  reptilian  condition — in  the 
absence  of  any  special  modification  at  the  bifurcation  of  the 
bronchi— is  seen  in  some  of  the  struthious  birds  and  in  the 
American  vultures.  It  is  not  clear,  however,  that  this 
simplicity  is  not  a  case  of  the  reduction  rather  than  of  the 

1   '  On  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  ,S7w/omis,'  P.  Z.  ,V.  1873,  p.  526. 


RESPIRATORY    SYSTEM  71 

retention  of  a  primitive  character.  In  special  cases  the 
form  of  the  syrinx  seems  to  be  of  not  little  value  as  a  mark 
of  affinity.  The  peculiar  syrinx  of  the  storks,  for  example, 
distinguishes  them  from  their  near  allies  the  herons.  The 
stork-like  syrinx  of  Tantalus  is  one  of  the  many  reasons  for 
placing  it  with  that  family.  The  peculiar  form  of  syrinx 
termed  the  '  bronchial  syrinx  '  may  seem  to  some  to  militate 
against  the  value  of  this  organ  as  a  test  of  affinity ;  but,  on 
consideration,  the  fact  that  both  owls  and  goatsuckers 
possess  it  will  not  seem  extraordinary  in  view  of  their  other 
resemblances,  while  the  cuckoos  are  perhaps  not  so  widely 
remote  from  those  two  families  as  they  have  been  placed. 
We  may  have  here  a  clue  to  the  relationship  of  these  three 
groups  of  birds.  The  complicated  (as  regards  musculature) 
syrinx  of  the  parrots  is  so  far  an  indication  of  affinity  with 
certain  Passeres.  The  systematic  position  of  the  parrots  is 
by  no  means  clearly  defined,  and  therefore  this  indication 
of  a  possible  affinity  must  not  be  ignored. 

The  Lungs  and  Air  Sacs. — The  lungs  of  birds  never 
depend  freely  in  the  ccelom,  as  is  the  case  with  most 
reptiles.  They  are  closely  fixed  to  the  parietes,  and  covered 
with  a  thin  and  transparent  aponeurosis,  which  is  the 
peritoneum.  So  closely  are  they  adpressed  to  the  body 
walls  that  when  they  are  carefully  removed  by  dissection  an 
impress  of  the  ribs  is  to  be  seen  upon  their  dorsal  and 
lateral  surfaces.  An  approach  to  this  peculiar  position  of 
the  lungs  in  Aves  is  to  be  seen  in  the  crocodilia  and  to  a 
less  extent  in  the  Chelonia  and  Monitor  lizards.  In  these 
animals  the  lungs  are  bound  down  to  the  parietes,  and  do 
not  hang  freely,  as  in  the  Lacertilia  generally  and  in  the 
mammalia.  The  lungs  in  birds  occupy  the  space  between 
the  first  rib  in  front  and  the  anterior  end  of  the  kidney 
behind.  They  nearly  meet  in  the  middle  line.  Seen  from 
below,  when  left  undisturbed  in  the  body,  only  the  adjacent 
structures  being  cleared  away,  the  lungs  present  two  facets, 
an  anterior  and  a  posterior ;  the  latter  is  divided  from  the 
former  by  a  ridge  which  does  not  divide  the  lung  into  two 
equal  halves.  The  anterior  is  considerably  the  smaller. 


7-2  STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

When  the  lung  is  thus  bared  it  is  seen  to  be  provided 
with  a  number  of  conspicuous  orifices  where  the  covering 
aponeurosis  is  deficient ;  these  are  termed  the  ostia,  and 
they  lead  into  the  air  sacs.  Their  number  is  variable  in 
correspondence  with  the  variability  in  the  number  of  air 
sacs.  The  free  surface  of  the  lung  is  supplied  with  bands 
of  muscle,  which  have  been  termed  '  diaphragm/  but  which 
are  called  by  HUXLEY  l  costo-pulmonary  muscles.  These 
muscles  arise  from  the  ribs  and  spread  out  over  the  aponeu- 
rosis covering  the  lung ;  they  are,  as  a  rule,  extensive, 
extending  but  a  short  distance  from  their  origin.  The 
number  of  these  costo-pulmonary  muscles  varies  much 
among  birds  ;  but  little  attention  has  been  hitherto  paid  to 
them.  For  instance,  among  the  storks  the  muscles  in 
question  are  reduced  to  a  minimum ;  there  are  only  two 
pairs  at  the  anterior  end  of  the  lung,  which  arise  not  from 
ribs,  but  from  the  end  of  the  windpipe.  In  herons,  on  the 
other  hand,  and  in  the  emu,  all  the  ribs  bordering  upon 
the  lungs  give  off  fasciculi  of  fibres,  which  in  the  emu  are 
of  considerable  thickness.  Each  bronchus  enters  the  lung 
at  a  little  distance  from  its  anterior  end,  and  sometimes,  as 
in  the  condor,  the  cartilaginous  rings  cease  some  little  way 
before  it  enters.  The  bronchus  dilates  somewhat  when  it 
has  entered  the  lung,  and  from  the  posterior  end  of  this 
dilatation  a  tube  is  continued  backwards,  which  opens  into 
the  posterior  or  abdominal  air  sac.  This  trunk  is  termed 
by  HUXLEY  the  mesobronchium.  Further  on  in  its  course 
the  mesobronchium  gives  off  another  branch,  which  opens 
into  the  posterior  intermediate  air  sacs  (a  description  of  the 
air  sacs  will  be  found  a  little  further  on).  From  the 
dilatation  of  the  mesobronchium,  the  vestibule,  arise  four 
other  tubes,  which  are  called  the  entobronchia  by  HUXLEY 
(whose  nomenclature  is  adopted  throughout  in  the  present 
section).  The  first  curves  forward  and  gives  off  several 
branches,  one  of  which  opens  into  the  prsebronchial  air  sac, 
while  the  main  trunk  is  continued  into  the  subbronchial 
air  sac.  The  second  entobronchium  passes  dorsally  and 

1  '  On  the  Respiratory  Organs  of  Apteryx,'  P.  Z.  S.  1882. 


RESPIRATORY   SYSTEM  73 

ramifies,  a  wide  branch  descending  to  the  subbroiichial 
ostium.  The  third  entobronchium  runs  backwards  and 
gives  off  a  number  of  branches.  Close  to  its  origin  from 
the  bronchus  it  opens  into  the  anterior  intermediate  air  sac 
by  the  anterior  intermediate  ostium.  The  fourth  ento- 
bronchium runs  parallel  with  this  ;  it  gives  off  branches 
from  its  ventral  wall,  but  ends  caecally.  In  addition  to  the 
entobronchia  there  are  the  ectobronchia.  These  are  six  or 
seven  branches  given  off  laterally  and  dorsally  from  the 
mesobronchium.  These  various  bronchia  are  in  communi- 
cation with  each  other,  so  that  the  substance  of  the  lung  is 
a  meshwork. 

As  a  rule  there  are  ten  air  sacs  in  birds,  which  are 
arranged  in  five  pairs,  five,  in  fact,  arising  from  each  lung. 
In  front  of  the  windpipe  are  the  praebronchial  air  sacs ; 
below  the  trachea  are  the  subbroiichial  air  sacs  ;  the  oblique 
septa,  which  have  been  described  elsewhere  (p.  38),  enclose, 
•  in  the  duck  and  all  other  birds  except  the  Apteryx,  two  air 
sacs,  the  anterior  and  posterior  intermediate  sacs.  The 
abdominal  air  sacs  lie  among  the  intestines,  and  are  fed  by 
an  ostium  which  is  at  the  extreme  posterior  end  of  the  lung ; 
they  have  been,  as  HUXLEY  has  expressed  it,  pushed  out 
from  the  space  enclosed  by  the  oblique  septa  like  a  hernia. 
In  Apteryx,  quite  exceptionally,  these  air  sacs  are  not  so 
pushed  out,  but  lie  within  the  area  enclosed  by  the  oblique 
septa.  The  only  differences  that  have  been  noticed  in  birds, 
apart  from  those  that  have  been  already  mentioned,  appear 
to  consist  in  the  number  of  the  intermediate  air  sacs  and  in 
the  condition  of  the  praebronchial.  WELDON  '  has  described 
the  breaking  up  of  the  pripbronchial  in  the  storks  into  a 
number  of  sacs,  at  least  five  in  number,  and  the  complete 
fusion  of  the  subbroiichial  sacs  into  a  single  one.  The 
breaking  up  of  the  praebroiichial  sacs  is  carried  to  a  more 
complete  extent  in  Chauna.  In  some  birds  there  are  three 
instead  of  two  intermediate  air  sacs.  I  have  observed  this 
in  Podargns.  In  many  Accipitres  the  abdominal  air  sacs  are 

1   '  On  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  PJicenicopterus  and  its  Allies,'  P.  Z.  S. 
1883,  p.  640. 


74  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

peculiar  in  that  one  of  the  walls  of  the  sacs  has  got  to  be 
firmly  adherent  to  the  ventral  parietes,  and  the  walls  of  the 
two  sacs  enclose  between  them  the  intestines,  which  have 
thus  the  appearance  of  being  enclosed  in  a  special  compart- 
ment of  the  coelom.  In  one  or  two  Accipitres  there  is  the 
same  subdivision  of  the  intermediate  air  sacs  that  I  have 
referred  to  in  Podargus. 

These  air  sacs  communicate  with  subsidiary  spaces  lying 
among  the  viscera,  between  the  muscles,  in  the  skin 
(particularly  in  Cliautia  and  several  Steganopodes),  and 
with  the  bones.  The  skull,  however,  is  aerated  by  a  set  of 
spaces  which  are  not  connected  with  the  trachea  and  lungs, 
but  with  the  Eustachian  tubes  and  the  nasal  chambers. 

The  literature  relating  to  the  lungs  and  air  sacs  is  large. 
In  addition  to  the  memoirs  already  quoted  the  following 
bear  upon  the  matter  :— 

F.  BIGNON,  '  Sur  les  Cellules  Aeriennes  du  Crane,'  &c., 
C.  R.  Soc.  Biol,  1887,  p.  36. 

Idem,  '  Recherches  sur  les  Cavites  Aeriennes  Cervico- 
cephaliques  chez  les  Psitacides,'  Bull.  Soc,  Zool.  France, 
xiii.  1888,  p.  180. 

Idem,  'Note  sur  les  Reservoirs  Aeriens  de  TUrubu 
(Catliartes  atra),'  C.  E'.  Soc.  Biol,  (9),  i.  1889,  p.  39. 

Idem,  '  Contribution  a  1'Etude  de  la  Pneumaticite,'  &c., 
Mem.  Soc.  Zool.  France,  ii.  1889,  p.  260. 

MILNE-EDWARDS,  '  Observations  sur  1'Appareil  Respira- 
toire  de  quelques  Oiseaux,'  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  (5),  iii.  1865, 
p.  137,  and  ibid,  1867,  p.  12. 

Idem,  '  Sur  les  Sacs  Respiratoires  du  Calao  rhinoceros,' 
C.  E.  1885,  p.  833. 

E.  FICALBI,  '  Alcune  ricerche  sulla  struttura  istologica 
delle  sacche  aerifere,'  &c.,Atti  Soc.  Tosc.  Sci.  Nat.  (vi.  1885, 
p.  249). 

H.  FILHOL,  '  Sur  la  Constitution  du  Diaphragme  des 
Eudyptes;  Bull.  Soc.  Philom.  (7),  vi.  1882,  p.  235. 

N.  GUILLOT,  '  Memoire  sur  1'Appareil  de  la  Respiration 
dans  les  Oiseaux,'  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  (3),  v.  1846,  p.  25. 

E.  SELENKA,  '  Beitrage  zur  Entwicklungsgeshcichte    d. 


RESPIRATORY    SYSTEM  75 

Luftsacke  des  Huhns,'  Zeitsch.  wiss.  Zool.  xvi.  I860,  p. 
178. 

H.  STBASSER,  '  Die  Luftsacke  der  Vogel,'  Morpli.  J.13.  iii. 
1877,  p.  179. 

G.  BOCHE,  '  Prolongements  Intra-abdorninaux  des  Beser- 
voirs  Cervicaux  chez  1'Autruche,'  Bull.  Soc.  Philom.  (8),  i. 

1889,  p.  111. 

Idem,  '  Sur  1'Appareil  Aerifere  des  Oiseaux,'  ibid.  (8),  ii. 

1890,  p.  5. 

Idem,  '  Contribution  a  1'Etude  de  1'Anatomie  Comparee 
des  Reservoirs  Aeriens  d'Origine  Pulmonaire  chez  les 
Oiseaux,'  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  (1),  xi.  1891. 

H.  BOULAET,  '  Note  sur  un  Systeme  particulier  de  Sacs 
Aeriens  observes  chez  quelques  Oiseaux,'  Jonrn.  de  VAnat. 
et  Plujs.  xviii.  1882,  p.  407. 

Idem,  '  Note  sur  les  Sacs  Aeriens  Cervicaux  du  Tantale,' 
Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  Fr.  1885,  p.  348. 

Other  references  are  contained  in  the  paper  of  HUXLEY 
upon  the  lungs  and  air  sacs  of  Apteryx,  already  quoted. 

Muscular  Anatomy  1 

The  most  general  feature  of  the  muscles  of  birds  is  the 
great  length  of  their  tendons  of  insertion ;  the  tendency  of 

1  For  memoirs  dealing  with  the  muscular  anatomy  of  several  types  see 
CARUS,  '  Erliiuterungstafeln  zur  vergl.  Anat.,'  Leipzig,  1826  (Astur,  Falco, 
Cypse/its) ;  P.  HARTING,  '  Observations  sur  1'Etendue  relative  des  Ailes  et  le 
Poids  des  Muscles  Pectoraux,'  &c.,  Arch.  Nterl.  Sci.  Exact,  et  Nat.  iv.  1809, 
p.  33  ;  S.  HAUGHTON,  '  On  the  Comparative  Myology  of  Certain  Birds,'  P.  B. 
Irish  Ac.  18157,  p.  524  (Falco,  Grus,  Anas) ;  G.  JAEGER,  '  Das  Os  humero-scapu- 
lare  der  Vogel,'  J.B.  K.  Akad.  Wiss.  xxiii.  1857,  p.  387;  LEGAL  and  HEICHEL* 
'  tJber  die  Beziehungen  der  Grosse  der  Flugmusk.,'  etc.,  Her.  schles.  Ges. 
1879  ;  H.  J.  MAGNUS,  '  De  musculis  costarum  sternique  avium,'  Diss.  Inaug. 
Vratislaviae,  1867,  and  in  Arch.  f.  Anat.,  1869  ;  H.  PFEIFFER,  '  Zur  verglei- 
chendeii  Anatomie  des  Schultergeriistes,'  &c.,  Diss.  Inaug.  Giessen,  1854 ; 
J.  J.  PRECHTL,  '  Untersuchungen  iiber  den  Flug  der  Vogel, 'QVienna,  1846; 
QUENNERSTEDT,  '  Studier  i  Foglarnas  Anatomi,'  Lund's  Univ.  Arsskr.  ix.  1872, 
p.  4  ;  N.  KUDINGER,  'Die  Muskeln  der  vorderen  Extreniitaten,'  &c.,  Nat.  1V/7/. 
Holland.  Maatsch.  Wet.,  1868;  C.  J.  SUNDEVALL,  in  A'.  Vet.  Akad.  forh. 
1843,  p.  303,  and  Furh.  Skandin.  Naturf.  1851  ;  G.  ALIX,  'Sur  les  Muscles 
Flechisseurs  des  Orteils,'  &c.,  Bull.  Soc.  Philom.  xi.  1874,  p.  28,  and  Essai 
sur  VApparell  Locomotcur  des  Oiseaux.  Paris,  1874. 


76  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

this  is  to  mass  the  fleshy  and  heavy  parts  of  the  muscle 
about  the  centre  of  gravity  of  the  body,  a  desideratum  for  a 
flying  animal.     This  peculiarity  of  the  muscular  system  is 
especially  well  seen  in  the  muscles  of  the  leg.     The  muscular 
system  of  birds  is  remarkably  constant  for  the  species,  the 
number  of  variations  being  apparently,  comparatively  speak- 
ing, but  slight.     It  is  true  that  in  but  few  cases  has  a  large 
number    of   individuals  been  carefully  dissected  ;  but  of    a 
good  many  species,  on  the  other  hand,  have  three,  four,  or 
even  more  individuals  been  dissected  from  the  point  of  view 
of  the  relations  or  presence  of  a  particular  muscle  or  muscles. 
The  muscular  system  too  is  apt  to  be  very  constant  for  a 
given  genus  or  even  a  larger  division.     A   glance    at    the 
systematic  part  of  this  work  will  show  how  trifling  are  the 
variations  even  between  families  in  some  cases.     All  these 
facts  lead  to  the  inference  that  the  muscular  system  in  birds 
is    of   very   considerable    value    for   classificatory  purposes. 
GAEROD,  FORBES,  and  FURBRINGER  are  the  three  anatomists 
who  have  laid  greatest  wTeight  upon  the  muscular  system  as 
an  index  of  affinity.     It  is,  thinks  Professor  FURBRINGER,  the 
muscles  of  the  anterior  extremity  which  have  the  greatest 
value  of  any  part  of  the  muscular  system.     The  wing  is  an 
organ  which  is  used  in  much  the   same  way  by  all  birds 
in  which  it  is  properly  developed.     On  the  other  hand  the 
uses  of  the  muscles  of  the  leg  are  manifold  ;  we  have  hopping 
birds,   climbing  birds,  perching  birds,  swimming  birds,  &c. 
&c.     Nevertheless  GADOW  is  inclined  to  think  (with  GTARROD) 
that  they  are  the  most  important.     The  existing  knowledge 
of  the  muscles  of  birds  is  mainly  confined  to  the  muscles  of 
the  leg  and  of  the  fore  limb,   a  knowledge  which  we  owe 
almost  entirely  to  GARROD  and  FURBRINGER,  many  other 
anatomists  having,  of  course,  filled  up  many  details.     Less  is 
known  about  the  muscles  of  the  head,  neck,  trunk,  and  hyoid 


region. 


It  is  curious,  indeed,  how  very  few  birds  have  been 
at  all  thoroughly  dissected.  Apart  from  the  detailed  account 
of  Apteryx  by  Sir  KICHARD  OWEN,  and  of  less  comprehensive 
memoirs  by  COUES  on  the  diver,  by  MORRISON  WATSON 


MUSCULAK  ANATOMY  77 

on  the  penguin,  we  have  only  two  recent  memoirs  which 
contain  anything  like  a  complete  account  of  the  muscular 
structure  of  a  given  type.  These  are  the  book  upon  Com  us 
corax  by  SHUFELDT  and  a  paper  by  CHALMERS  MITCHELL 
and  myself  upon  Palamedea.  The  most  comprehensive 
general  account  of  bird  muscles  is  unquestionably  that  of 
GADOW  in  Bronn's  '  Thierreich.'  I  shall  base  the  following 
account  of  avian  musculature  largely  upon  the  last-men- 
tioned work,  adding  to  it  only  such  details  as  were  inacces- 
sible to  GADOW  at  the  time  of  its  publication.  The  muscles 
known  to  vary  will  naturally  be  treated  at  greater  length 
than  those  of  whose  comparative  structure  but  little  is 
registered.  GADOW  allows  altogether  112  separate  muscles 
and  sets  of  muscles  like  those  of  the  ribs,  arranged  in  a 
serially  homologous  row.  Some  of  these  are,  however, 
divided  again.  Of  these,  so  far  as  we  know  at  present,  the 
following  are  of  the  greatest  systematic  importance,  as  present- 
ing really  considerable  variations  even  to  disappearance  :— 

Glutceus  maximus,  gl.  anterior. 

Obturator  internus. 

Femorocaudal  and  accessory  femorocaudal. 

Ambiois. 

Semitendinosus  and  accessory  semitendinosus. 

Sleeps  femoris. 

Seiniinei/ibranosus. 

Flexo res  prof  undi  hallucis  et  digitonim. 

Peronei. 

Tibialis  anticus. 

Pectoralis  primus,  p.  secundus. 

Deltoid. 

Patagialis. 

Biceps. 

An  conceits. 

E.rjit/i/sor  seen  nda  riorum. 

Cucullaris  propatagia  Us . 

The  value  of  muscles  in  classification  has  been  highly  rated  by 
many  ornithologists,  especially,  of  course,  by  GAEEOD,  FOKBES,  and 
FUBBRINGER.  It  is,  however,  only  a  comparatively  small  number 


78  STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

of  the  total  series  of  muscles  in  the  body  that  can  be  trusted  much 
as  evidence  of  affinity.  The  ambiens  is  unquestionably  of  value  as 
it  is  found  or  not  found,  as  the  case  may  be,  through  whole  groups 
whose  mode  of  progression  when  walking  or  climbing  is  as  different 
as  can  be.  Its  total  absence  from  all  picarian  and  passerine  birds 
is  a  fact  upon  which  I  comment  elsewhere.  There  are  very  few 
groups  in  which  the  ambiens  may  be  present  or  absent,  and  in 
those  cases  it  is  often  reasonable  to  separate  as  distinct  families 
the  genera  which  have  it  from  those  which  have  it  not.  This 
cannot,  perhaps,  be  done  in  every  case.  Some  storks,  such  as 
Abdimia,  have  no  ambiens,  while  the  majority  have  it.  There  are 
auks  with  and  auks  without  this  muscle.  The  same  may  be  said 
of  petrels,  parrots,  and  pigeons.  Rlu/nclwps,  the  only  larine  bird 
without  an  ambiens,  may  be,  perhaps,  rightly  elevated  to  the  dis- 
tinction of  a  separate  family.  These  examples,  however,  are  so 
few  that  they  may  be  compared  to  such  singular  exceptions  as  the 
absence  of  the  odontophore  in  the  nudibranch  Doriopsis,  which 
does  not  in  the  opinion  of  any  one  invalidate  the  great  importance 
of  that  structure  in  arranging  the  mollusca.  In  estimating  the 
value  of  the  ambiens  the  facts  of  its  total  or  apparently  partial 
suppression,  referred  to  below,  must  be  borne  in  mind.  The 
entire  absence  of  all  trace  of  the  muscle  in  the  owls  shows  that 
they  are  not  necessarily  to  be  placed  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the 
parrots,  in  which  the  muscle,  when  absent,  has  left  traces  behind. 

Muscles  of  the  Fore  Limb 

Pectoralis  Primus. — This  muscle  consists  of  two  parts, 
the  thoracic  part,  arising  from  the  sternum,  and  an  abdominal 
portion,  arising  from  the  pelvis.  The  latter  portion,  well 
developed  in  lower  vertebrates,  is  slight  in  birds,  and  is  often 
completely  absent.  The  pectoralis  thoracicus  arises  from 
the  sternum,  the  clavicles,  and  intermediate  membranes  ;  it  is 
inserted  on  to  the  humerus.  In  ratite  birds  there  is  no  origin 
from  clavicles,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  an  origin  from  cora- 
coids  not  present  in  carinates.  There  is  frequently  an 
intimate  connection  between  the  pectoral  near  its  insertion 
and  the  tendon  of  origin  of  biceps.  The  pectoralis  is  frequently 
divided  into  two  portions,  the  mode  of  division  being  twofold. 
In  Apteryx  the  coracoidal  portion  is  separate  from  the  sternal, 
a  state  of  affairs  which  recalls  some  of  the  lower  vertebrates ; 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   EORE    LIMB  79 

in  others  the  pectoral  is  divided  into  a  superficial  and  deeper 
layer.  In  many  '  Ciconiiformes  '  this  is  the  case.  The 
pectoral,  in  all  birds  except  the  ratites,  gives  off  one  or  two 
branches  to  the  patagium.  The  branch  has  been  termed 
the  pectoralis  propatagialix.  There  are  either  two  separate 
muscles  split  off  from  the  surface  of  the  pectoral  (as  in  Nisus), 
the  tendon  of  one  going  to  the  tendon  of  the  tensor  patagii 
longus,  that  of  the  other  to  the  tensor  patagii  brevis  ;  or 
(Podargits]  there  is  but  one  muscle  which  divides  into  two 
tendons  ;  or  the  origins  of  the  two  tendons  are  separate,  one 
of  them  commencing  with  a  special  muscle,  the  other  arising 
as  a  tendon  from  the  surface  of  the  pectoralis  ;  or  both  may 
be  tendinous  in  origin.  Finally,  there  is  in  tinamous  and 
gallinaceous  birds  (some)  a  special  ' propatagialis  posticus,' 
joining  with  its  tendon  that  of  the  other  muscle.  The 
pectoralis  abdominalis,  totally  absent  in  nearly  all  ratites,  in 
storks,  various  hawks,  &c.,  is  divisible  into  two  parts,  of 
which  one  or  other  is  sometimes  wanting.  The  pars  posterior 
springs  from  the  pelvis  and  adjacent  fascia  ;  it  ends  in  front 
freely  or  comes  into  more  or  less  close  relations  with  the  pars 
anterior.  In  Anseres,  for  example,  the  two  form  one  con- 
tinuous band  of  muscle,  their  boundaries  being  simply  marked 
by  a  slight  tendinous  inscription.  The  pars  anterior  arises 
from  the  skin  close  to  the  termination  of  the  last,  or  is,  as 
already  mentioned,  continuous  with  it  ;  it  generally  ends  upon 
the  humerus,  near  or  in  common  with  the  insertion  of  the 
main  part  of  the  pectoral.  In  a  few  birds  (quite  remote 
from  each  other  in  the  system,  Pelecanus,  Chauna,  Cathartes) 
the  terminal  tendon  is  lost  in  the  axillary  region ;  a  more 
remarkable  modification,  possibly  of  classificatory  importance, 
is  described  later  in  Crypturus.  In  a  variety  of  birds  there 
is  a  slip  from  this  muscle  to  the  metapatagium. 

Latissim/us  Dorsi. — This  muscle  is  divided  by  FURBRIN- 
GEK  into  three  sections - 

(1)  L.  d.  (ulterior. 

(2)  L.  d.  posterior. 

(3)  L.  d.  metapatagialis  mid  dorso-cutaneus. 

The  first-named  muscle  is  totally  wanting  in  Apterijx  and 


80  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Alcedo  bengalensis.1  It  arises  in  other  birds  from  the  spinal 
processes  of  a  varying  number  of  cervical  and  dorsal  vertebrae. 
The  narrowest  area  of  origin  is  seen  in  Alcedo,  Maerochires, 
and  various  passerines,  where  it  embraces  at  most  a  single 
vertebra.  In  other  birds  it  may  arise  from  as  many  as  four 
and  a  half  vertebrae.  The  broad  fleshy  or  tendinous,  or 
partly  fleshy  and  partly  tendinous,  insertion  varies  in  width. 

The  second  division  is  entirely  wanting  in  Otis,  Pterocles, 
many  passerines,  &c.  It  arises  from  the  spinous  processes  of 
posterior  dorsal  vertebrae,  ilium,  and  even  adjacent  ribs.  Its 
origin  is  usually  widely  separated  from  that  of  anterior  ;  but 
there  are  various  intermediate  conditions  which  culminate  in 
the  cuckoos,  Maerochires,  and  some  other  birds,  where  the 
two  muscles  form  one,  with,  however  (save  in  Cypselus), 
separate  insertions.  The  insertion  of  this  muscle  is  by  a 
slender  tendon  in  front  of  that  of  the  latissiinus  dorsi 
anterior. 

The  latissimi  dorsi  metapatagialis  and  dorso-cittaneus 
are  two  slips  running  to  the  metapatagium  and  the  neck 
region  of  the  skin  respectively.  They  are  not  often  both 
present,  but  are  in  Apteryx,  Charadridse,  Alcidas,  and  some 
gallinaceous  birds.  They  are  both  absent  in  ratites  (excl. 
Apteryx),  Maerochires,  Colii,  Bucerotidae,  &c.  The  dorso- 
cutaneus  is  the  rarest,  and  apart  from  the  instances  mentioned 
is  found  only  in  the  Cracidae,  piciform  birds,  and  passerines. 

Cucullaris. — This  is  an  extensive  muscle  occupying  the 
greater  part  of  the  neck.  The  only  muscle  superficial  to  it 
is  the  spliinctor  colli.  It  has  two  main  divisions.  The 
pars  cranialis  arises  from  the  region  of  the  occipital  and  the 
squamosal  ;  in  many  birds  (of  the  most  diverse  orders)  a 
branch  is  given  off  from  this  (the  dorso-cutaneus) ,  which 
ends  on  the  back  below  the  spinal  pterylon,  whose  feathers 
it  raises.  The  main  part  of  the  muscle  ends  upon  the 
clavicle,  or  sternum,  or  ligaments  in  the  neighbourhood. 
In  some  birds  a  part  of  the  fibres  end  upon  the  fascia 
covering  the  pectoralis  primus,  and  in  those  with  a  crop 
some  of  the  deeper  fibres  come  into  relation  with  that 

1  Not  in  .1.  ispidri. 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   FORE   LIMB  81 

organ,  forming  a  leva-tor  in-fjluviei.  A  portion  of  the  cucullaris 
also  directs  itself  towards  the  patagium,  and  in  most  Passeres 
and  in  parrots,  Pici,  and  Upnpa  forms  a  special  cucullaris 
propatagialis,  joining  the  tensor  longus  tendon.  The  pars 
cervicalis  of  the  cucullaris  arises  from  the  dorsal  edge  of  the 
neck,  and  is  inserted  near  or  in  common  with  the  other  part. 
In  many  birds  (e.g.  Anseres)  a  slip  is  given  off  from  this 
which  supplies  the  humeral  pterylon.  It  is  termed  the  cucul- 
laris dorso-cutaneus. 

Rliomboideus  Externus. — This  muscle  arises  tendinously, 
the  width  of  the  tendinous  part  being  about  the  same  as 
that  of  the  muscular  part,  from  the  last  cervical  and  from 
the  dorsal  vertebra  ;  it  is  inserted  fleshily  along  the  whole 
length  of  the  scapula.  The  muscle  varies  but  slightly  ;  the 
origin  is  more  or  less  extensive,  and  the  vertebra  from 
which  it  arises  are  not  always  the  same.  Its  insertion  is 
not  always  limited  to  the  scapula,  but  sometimes  extends  on 
to  the  furcula.  In  Casuarius  and  Apterijx  the  muscle  arises 
from  the  ribs. 

Elioniboideus  Profundus. — This  muscle  also  arises  ten- 
dinously from  the  neural  spines  of  the  dorsal  vertebrae,  or 
from  both  dorsal  and  cervical.  Its  origin  sometimes  extends 
as  far  back  as  to  the  ilium.  It  is  inserted  into  the 
scapula  below  the  last.  In  Casuarius  and  Apteryx  this 
muscle  arises  from  the  ribs.  The  rhomboideus  profundus  is 
occasionally  divided  into  two  distinct  parts ;  in  Megalama 
there  are  three  distinct  divisions. 

Serratus  Super ficialis. — This  muscle  is  divided  by  FUB- 
BRIXGER  into  three  parts,  of  which  two  are  always  present, 
while  the  third  is  sometimes  absent.  This  is  the  -pars 
metapatagialis.  The  pars  anterior  arises  from  one  or  more 
ribs  on  the  boundary  line  between  the  cervical  and  dorsal  series. 
It  is  attached  to  the  scapula  along  the  ventral  border,  but,  quite 
exceptionally,  in  Bliea  on  to  the  dorsal  border.  The  pars 
posterior  springs  from  a  varying  number  of  dorsal  ribs,  and 
in  several  birds  (e.g.  Rliampliastos)  it,  with  the  pars  anterior, 
which  can  hardly  be  separated  as  a  distinct  muscle,  springs 
from  a  considerable  number  of  ribs — five  in  the  case  referred  to. 


82  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

It  has  generally  a  broadish  insertion  on  to  the  scapula,  but 
in  Meiglyptes,  many  Passeres,  £c.,  it  is  attached  merely  to  the 
extremity  of  that  bone.  The  pars  metapatagialis  is  absent 
in  ratites  (except  Apteryx),  hummingbirds,  and  a  few  others. 
It  springs  from  1-4  ribs,  and  is  inserted  on  to  the  rneta- 
patagium. 

Serratux  Profundus. — This  muscle  is  highly  developed 
in  Struthio  and  Casuarius,  less  so  in  other  struthious  birds 
and  in  the  Carinates.  It  arises  from  a  variable  number  of 
cervical  and  dorsal  ribs,  and  it  passes  backwards  (in  the 
contrary  direction,  therefore,  to  the  serratus  superficialis)  to 
be  inserted  on  to  the  scapula. 

Patagialis.1 — This  muscle,  concerned  with  the  folding  of 
the  patagial  membrane,  is  present  in  all  birds  except  the 
struthious.  It  arises  from  the  clavicle  and  from  the  tip  of 
the  scapula,  is  sometimes  divided  into  two  muscles  from  the 
start,  and  sometimes  arises  as  a  single  muscle,  which 
immediately  divides  into  two  tendons,  the  tensor  patagii 
longus  and  the  tensor  patagii  brevis.  Exceptionally  the 
former  may  be  absent.  In  a  specimen  of  Crex  pratensis 
the  representative  of  tensor  patagii  longus  was  found  by 
GAREOD  to  be  simply  the  biceps  slip,  a  muscle  that  will  be 
treated  of  presently.  The  size  and  importance  of  this 
muscle  vary  considerably ;  it  is  largest  in  the  parrots, 
where,  indeed,  it  is  uncertain  whether  a  part  of  the  deltoid 
has  not  been  converted  to  a  similar  function.  This  matter, 
however,  is  dealt  with  under  the  description  of  that  family. 
The  tensor  patagii  longus  always  ends  in  a  single  tendon 
which  runs  along  the  anterior  margin  of  the  patagium  and  is 
inserted  on  to  the  metacarpal.  It  is  usual  for  the  middle 
part  of  this  tendon  to  be  of  a  more  fibroid  character  and  of 
a  yellowish  colour,  contrasting  with  the  steely  and  typically 
tendinous  aspect  of  the  other  tendons  arising  from  the 
tensores.  Very  commonly  the  entire  tensor  muscle  is 
reinforced  by  a  tendinous  or  muscular  slip  from  the  pecto- 
ralis,  and  sometimes  there  is  a  separate  slip  to  each  of  the 

1  G.  BUCKET,  'Premiere  Note  suv  1'Appareil  Tenseur,'  etc.,  C.  R,  Soc.  Biol. 
1888,  p. 328. 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   FORE   LIMP,  83 

two  tensores.  It  is  also  very  general  for  one  of  the  two 
tendons,  or  for  both  before  their  division,  to  be  attached  by  a 
tendinous  slip  to  the  deltoid  crest  of  the  humerus.  The 
tensores  patagii  are  of  considerable  use  in  classification. 
But  it  must  be  admitted  that  they  are  apt  to  vary  greatly 
from  genus  to  germs.  The  variations  chiefly  concern  the 
more  or  less  complicated  condition  of  the  tendons  of  the 
brevis.  The  simplest  condition  is  seen,  e.g.,  in  Rhamphastos 
Cuvieri,  where  the  tendon  is  single  and  is  attached  below  to 
the  tendon  of  origin  of  the  extensor  metacarpi  radialis. 

A  further  degree  of  complication  is  seen  in,  e.g.,  a  cuckoo, 
where  the  single  tendon  gives  off,  near  to  the  fore  arm,  a  slip 
running  obliquely  wristwards,  which  is  attached  to  the  tendon 
of  the  extensor  metacarpi  radialis.  In  the  limicolous  birds  the 
main  tendon  is  usually  divided  from  the  first  into  two,  of 
which  the  anterior  has  the  wristward  slip,  already  referred 
to ;  in  those  birds  and  many  others  there  is  the  further 
complication  of  a  band  of  tendinous  fibres  which  arise  at  the 
junction  of  the  wristward  slip  with  the  fore  arm,  and  pass 
obliquely  forwards  and  upwards  to  be  inserted  on  to  the 
tendon  of  the  longus.  This  slip  is  termed,  in  the  following 
pages,  the  '  patagial  fan  ;  '  it  is  frequently  of  a  fanlike  form. 
The  tendon  of  the  tensor  patagii  brevis  has  not  always  the 
regular  form  that  it  has  in  the  types  that  have  been  already 
selected  for  illustration.  In  the  tinamou,  Eliyncliotus,  for 
instance,  the  tendon  is  a  diffuse  fascia  spreading  out  over 
the  greater  part  of  the  patagial  membrane ;  in  other  birds, 
e.g.  storks,  it  is  a  broad,  rather  diffuse  band,  as  a  rule  with 
a  thicker  edge  or  edges.  A  peculiar  condition  of  the 
tendons  of  the  brevis  characterises  the  auks,  some  gulls,  and 
at  least  one  limicolous  bird.  In  them  (see  below)  one  or 
two  delicate  tendons  arise  from  the  longus  tendon  near  to 
the  insertion  thereon  of  the  patagial  fan,  and  run  obliquely 
backwards  and  downwards  to  be  attached  on  to  the  dorsal 
surface  of  the  fore  arm — the  reverse  side,  that  is  to  say,  to 
that  to  which  the  other  tendons  which  together  make  up 
the  tensor  patagii  brevis  are  attached. 

In  some  birds,  e.g.  certain  passerines,  the  tendon  of  the 


84 


STEUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


tensor  longus  is  reinforced  by  a  muscular  slip  ending  in  a 
tendon  which  is  derived  from  the  cucullaris  muscle.  Another 
muscle  which  is  also  related  to  the  patagialis  in  an  analogous 
way  has  been  termed  the  '  biceps  slip  '  (q.v.) 

Anconceus  Longus. — This  muscle  arises  from  the  neck  of 
the  scapula  alone,  by  a  head  which  is  entirely  tendinous  or 
partly  muscular,  or  in  addition  from  the  edge  of  the  scapula,  a 
little  further  away  from  its  junction  with  the  coracoid,  by  a 
tendinous  head.  It  is  inserted  bv  a  broad  tendon  on  to  the 


7 '  P.L 


FIG.  49. — TENSOKES  PATAGII  OF  Phcswicoptenis. 

T.I'.L,  tens', ir  patagii  longus  ;  T.l'.B,  tensor  patagii  brevis  :  Bi,  biceps 
.-lip:  E.  ('.  A',  extensor  carpi  radialis.     (Alter  VELDON  ) 

elbow  joint.  Sometimes  there  is  an  accessory  head  from 
the  humerus,  which  in  this  case  arises,  as  a  rule,  in  common 
with  the  tendon  of  insertion  of  the  posterior  latissimus 
dorsi.  In  Palamedea  this  head  is  double,  the  two  halves 
being  united  by  cross  tendinous  threads.  On  the  whole  the 
humeral  head  is  characteristic  of  GAREOD'S  Homalogonata* 
and  not  of  the  Anomalogonatae  ;  but  there  are  exceptions  on 
both  sides.  The  breadth  of  the  humeral  head  varies  greatly  ; 
it  is  sometimes  reduced  to  a  thin  thread. 


MUSCLES   OF   THE    FORE    LIMP,  85 

Triceps. — This  muscle  springs  from  the  greater  part  of 
the  humerus  fleshily  by  two  heads,  of  which  one — that  from 
the  tuberculum  minus — is  often  tendinous.  The  name 
triceps,  be  it  observed,  has  been  given  to  the  muscle  on  the 
understanding  that  the  last-described  muscle  is  a  part  of  it. 
Their  tendons  of  insertion  join. 

Expansor  Secundarionun.1 — This  extraordinary  muscle 
appears  to  be  partly  a  skin  and  partly  a  skeletal  muscle. 
A  bundle  of  non-striated  fibres  arises  near  the  secondary 
feathers  of  the  arm  and  ends  in  a  tendon.  This  is  occa- 
sionally reinforced  by  a  band  of  striated  fibres  arising 
from  beginning  of  ulna.  The  long  tendon  is  inserted  in 
various  ways.  The  typical  condition  (termed  by  GAEEOD 
'  ciconiine ')  is  for  it  to  be  inserted  into  the  middle  of  a  liga- 
ment running  from  the  scapulo-coracoid  to  the  sterno- 
coracoid  articulation.  Other  modifications  occur  among  the 
gallinaceous  birds  (q.v.),  &c.  The  muscle  is  totally  absent 
in  Struthiones,  Sphenisci,  Alcse,  Psittaci,  the  majority  of  Pico- 
Passeres,  and  in  a  few  species  of  groups  where  it  is  usually 
present. 

Sterno-coracoideiis. — This  muscle,  wanting  only  in  the 
Macrochires,  runs  from  the  anterior  lateral  border  of  the 
sternum  to  the  adjoining  region  of  the  coracoid.  The  muscle 
shows  every  stage  between  a  single  muscle  and  a  completely 
double  one.  It  is  double,  for  example,  in  Casuarius.  In 
Struthio,  Chauna,  and  some  other  birds  where  there  is  but 
one  sterno-coracoid,  it  is  the  homologue  (according  to  FUR- 
BEINGER)  of  the  deeper  section  of  the  double  muscle. 

Scapulo-humeralis  Anterior.- — Buns  from  the  beginning 
of  the  post-glenoidal  region  of  the  scapula  to  the  beginning 
of  the  dorsal  surface  of  the  humerus.  It  is  a  muscle  which  is 
frequently  absent.  FURBRINGER  failed  to  find  it  in  Struthiones, 
Sphenisci,  Fregata,  Chauna,  Columbae,  Pterodes,  Chwnga, 
Bucorvus,  &c. 

Scapulo-humeralis  Posterior. — Contrary  to  the  last  this 
is  a  large  muscle  and  is  never  absent.  It  arises  from  the 

1  GAREOD,  'On  the  Anatomy  of   Chauna  di'i-Liana,'   &c.,  P.  Z.   S.   1876 
p.  193,  &c. 


86  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

hinder  part  of  the  scapula  and  runs  to  the  humerus,  where 
it  is  inserted  on  to  the  tuberculum  mediale. 

Coraco-brachialis  Extends.— This  muscle,  which  is 
relatively  larger  in  the  struthious  birds,  runs  from  the 
coracoid  to  the  beginning  of  the  '  planum  bicipitale  '  of  the 
hurnerus,  where  it  is  generally  covered  by  the  tendon  of  the 
biceps.  It  is  noteworthy  that  among  carinate  birds  this 
muscle  is  largest  in  the  tinamous,  which  thus  approach  the 
ostrich  tribe.  It  is  most  reduced  in  the  Passeres,  in  some 
of  which,  indeed,  it  has  actually  disappeared. 

Coraco-brachialis  Interims. —  Springs  from  the  coracoid 
and  often  from  neighbouring  parts  of  sternum.  It  is  inserted 
on  to  the  median  tubercle  of  the  humerus. 

Pectoralis  II. — This  muscle  arises  from  the  ventral 
surface  of  the  sternum,  from  the  coracoid,  and  from 
the  coraco-clavicular  membrane.  It  is  inserted  by  a  long 
tendon  of  attachment  to  the  lateral  tubercle  of  the  humerus. 
The  muscle  is  small  in  ratites,  large  in  carinates. 

Deltoides  Major. — Arises  from  the  acromion  and  the 
dorsal  part  of  the  clavicle,  and  is  inserted  on  to  the  deltoid 
crest  of  the  humerus.  The  muscle  and  the  length  of  its 
attachment  vary  much  in  size.  It  is  large  in  Accipitres, 
Passeres,  &c.,  small  in  Alcse,  Psittaci,  &c.  It  appears,  indeed, 
to  be  absent  in  Psittacula. 

Deltoides  Minor. — This  is  a  small  muscle  passing  from 
the  neighbourhood  of  the  foramen  triosseum.  It  is  absent  in 
Phacthornis  and  (occasionally)  in  Cypselus.  It  is  also 
absent  in  Struthiones. 

Biceps. — This  muscle  consists  typically  of  two  heads,  as 
its  name  denotes.  The  longer  of  these  arises  from  the 
coracoid  by  a  long  tendon.  The  second  head  arises  also 
tendinously  from  the  head  of  the  humerus.  The  insertion 
of  the  muscle  is  double,  on  to  the  radius  and  the  ulna.  The 
division  commences  at  a  varying  distance  from  the  actual 
insertion. 

In  the  penguins  this  muscle  is  totally  absent.  In 
Colymbus,  Pelecanoides,  Thalassiarche,  and  other  petrels,  in 
some  Alcidfe,  the  coracoid  head  alone  is  present,  the  humeral 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   FORE    LIMB  87 

head  being  in  some  of  these  birds  entirely  diverted  to  form 
the  biceps  slip  to  the  patagialis  (q.v.)  The  coracoidal  head, 
when  it  exists  alone,  may  be  divided  into  two  quite  separate 
muscles,  uniting  only  at  their  very  origin.  This  is  the  case 
with  certain  Alcidae.  This  division  of  the  coracoidal  half  of 
the  muscle  also  exists  in  the  Laridae  and  in  certain  Limicolae, 
where  there  is  a  humeral  head  present  also.  In  the  Stega- 
nopodes  both  heads  are  present,  but  the  humeral  head  after 
its  attachment  to  humerus  is  continued  on  to  the  coracoid. 
A. trace  of  this  arrangement  is  apparently  left  in  some  birds 
(e.g.  Porpliyrio),  where,  though  the  humeral  head  arises  from 
the  humerus  only,  a  ligament  passes  on  from  that  part  to 
the  coracoid. 

Brachialis  Inferior. — A  flat  fleshy  muscle  arising  from 
the  distal  part  of  the  humerus,  and  inserted  upon  the  ulna. 
In  the  penguins  (where  the  biceps  is  absent)  this  muscle  is 
particularly  large,  and  is  inserted  on  to  the  radius. 

PronatorSnblimis. — This  muscle  springs  tendinously  from 
the  inner  condyle  of  the  humerus  and  is  inserted  fleshily, 
and  for  a  varying  distance  in  various  birds,  upon  the  second 
third  to  second  eighth  of  the  radius. 

Pronator  Pro/Hindus.- — This  muscle  lies  deep  of  the  last, 
but  has  a  similar  origin  and  insertion.  In  the  Katita3  this 
muscle  and  the  last  form  a  single  muscle. 

Entepicondylo-ulnaris. — This  muscle,  found  apparently 
only  in  Galli  and  Tinami,  arises  in  common  with  the  pro- 
nator  profundus,  and  is  inserted  on  to  the  ulna. 

Ectepicondylo-radialis. — This  muscle  arises  tendinously 
from  the  outer  condyle  of  the  humerus  and  is  inserted 
fleshily  on  to  the  radius.  It  appears  to  be  wanting  in  the 
penguins,  and  to  be  largest  in  the  Galli. 

Ectepicondylo-ulnaris. — This  muscle  arises  from  the 
outer  condyle  of  the  humerus,  and  is  inserted  similarly  to 
the  last  upon  the  ulna.  Its  insertion  is  fleshy,  and  in 
Palamedea  it  is  larger  than  the  last. 

Flexor  Carpi  Ulna-ris. — This  arises  from  the  inner  con- 
dyle of  the  humerus  by  a  strong  tendon,  in  which  there  is 
a  well-marked  sesamoid  ;  it  runs  down  the  inner  side  of  the 


8ff  STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIEDS 

ulna  to  be  inserted  on  to  the  great  tuberosity  of  the  ulnar 
carpal  bone.  A  thin  muscle  arising  from  it  passes  into  a 
tendon  which  is  connected  with  the  secondary  feathers. 
The  above  refers  to  Palamcdea.  In  penguins  the  entire 
muscle  is  represented  by  a  tendon  only. 

Extensor  Digitorum  Corn-inn nis. — Arises  from  the  external 
condyle  of  humerus.  It  splits  on  the  hand  into  two  tendons, 
of  which  one  is  inserted  on  to  the  basis  of  the  first  phalanx 
of  digit  I.,  the  other  on  to  the  corresponding  phalanx  of 
digit  II.  In  Struthio  the  first  of  the  two  tendons  is  wanting. 
In  the  penguins  the  muscle  is  represented  only  by  a  tendon 
which  is  inserted  on  to  the  outer  side  of  metacarpale  II.  and 
on  to  the  basis  of  the  first  phalanx  of  that  digit. 

Extensor  Longus  PoHicis. — This  muscle  arises  from  the 
proximal  region  of  both  radius  and  ulna.  The  common 
tendon  is  inserted  on  to  the  origin  of  metacarpale  I. 

Extensor  Indicis  Longus. — This  muscle  is  two-headed. 
The  longer  head  arises  from  the  radius  from  its  middle  two- 
thirds,  bat  sometimes  also  receives  a  few  fibres  from  the 
ulna ;  the  second  much  shorter  head  springs  either  from  the 
distal  end  of  the  radius  or  from  the  os  carpi  radiale,  or 
finally  from  the  basis  of  metacarpale  II.  ;  the  united  tendons 
are  inserted  on  to  the  head  of  the  first  and  the  basis  of  the 
second  phalanx  of  digit  II.  The  second  head  is  absent  in 
Fulica  and  in  some  other  birds. 

Interosscus  Dorsalis. — This  muscle  arises  fleshily  from 
the  opposed  surfaces  of  metacarpals  II.  and  III.  The 
common  tendon  is  inserted  on  to  the  base  of  the  second 
phalanx  of  the  second  digit. 

Interosseus  Palmar  is. — Has  an  origin  from  the  same 
metacarpals  as  the  last  and  is  inserted  on  to  the  first  phalanx 
of  digit  II. 

Ulni-metacarpalis  Ventral  is.  — It  arises  fleshily  from  the 
radial  face  of  the  last  quarter  of  the  ulna,  and  is  inserted  on 
to  the  head  of  the  first  metacarpal. 

Ulni-metacarpalis  Dorsalis.— SFhis  springs  by  a  tendon 
from  the  distal  region  of  the  ulna,  and  has  an  insertion  upon 
the  third  metacarpal. 


MUSCLES   OF   THE    FUIJE    LIMB  89 

Extensor  Mc'tacar/ti  Ulnaris. — Springs  from  the  external 
condyle  of  the  humerus.  There  is  generally  a  second  head, 
which,  instead  of  being  tendinous,  is  fleshy  and  rises  from 
the  humerus  a  little  below  the  first  head.  The  tendons  in 
which  the  two  end  do  not  join  until  a  little  before  their 
insertion  011  to  the  base  of  the  metacarpal  of  digit  I.  The 
degree  of  separation  of  the  two  heads  differs  considerably. 
In  the  penguins  only  one  head  is  present. 

Flexor  Digitoruin  Sublimix. — From  the  internal  condyle 
of  humerus  to  os  carpi  ulnare  is  a  strong  aponeurotic  fascia, 
from  the  distal  end  of  which  springs  the  muscle  in  question, 
to  be  inserted  on  to  phalanx  I.  of  digit  II.  In  Palamcdea  Mr. 
MITCHELL  and  I  traced  the  tendon  to  the  base  of  the  second 
phalanx  of  the  same  digit.  In  Psittacus  and  Columba  the 
tendon  has  the  same  extension.  In  Struthio  the  muscle  is 
entirely  absent. 

Flexor  Digitoruin  Profundus. — This  springs  from  the 
middle  and  proximal  third  of  the  ulna,  and  is  inserted  on  to 
the  basis  of  the  second  phalanx  of  the  second  digit.  In 
Corvus,  &c.,  the  muscle  is  two-headed,  the  two  heads  being 
separated  by  the  insertion  of  the  brachialis  interims.  In 
other  birds  the  extent  of  the  origin  varies. 

Abductor Indicis. — From  metacarpal  Il.tobasisof  phalanx 
I.  of  digit  II.  In  Palamcdea  it  also  arises  from  the  flexor 
pollicis. 

Flexor  Pollicis. — From  metacarpal  I.  to  thumb  phalanx. 
In  Palamcdea  its  fleshy  belly  gives  rise  to  a  slip  which  passes 
to  the  abductor  indicis. 

Adductor  Pollicis. — In  Palamedca  it  arises  from  the  meta- 
carpal just  beyond  the  articulation  of  the  thumb  ;  it  ends 
in  the  ala  spuria  and  not  on  the  thumb  bone.  In  some 
birds  it  has  also  a  connection  with  the  thumb  bone. 

Extensor  Pollicis  Brevis. — This  muscle  arises  fleshily  from 
the  second  metacarpal.  It  is  inserted  on  to  the  phalanx  of 
the  thumb. 

Abductor  Pollicis. — This  muscle  arises  from  metacarpal  I. 
and  passes  to  phalanx  of  same  digit. 


90  STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Flexor  Digiti  III. — Arises  from  metacarpal  III.  and  is 
inserted  on  to  basis  of  phalanx  I.  of  same  digit. 

Flexor  Metacarpi  Radialis. — This  muscle  arises  from  the 
outer  condyle  and  is  inserted  on  to  the  ulnar  border  of 
metacarpal  II.  or  on  to  the  beginning  of  metacarpal  III. 


Muscles  of  the  Hind  Limb 

Sartorius.1 — This  is  a  broad  strap-shaped  muscle  arising 
from  the  ilium  and  from  the  fascia  covering  the  glutaeus 
maximus  ;  it  is  inserted  on  to  the  ligament  containing  the 
patella,  and  on  to  the  crest  of  the  tibia.  The  muscle  has  an 
origin  which  sometimes  extends  further  forwards,  and  is 
then  overlapped  by  the  latissimus  dorsi.  Sometimes,  on 
the  other  hand,  its  insertion  moves  further  back.  In 
Phcenicopterus  the  muscle  is  divided  into  three  distinct 
portions. 

Glutceus  Maximus? — This  often  large  muscle  was  used 
by  GAEEOD  3  in  his  muscular  classificatory  scheme,  and  at 
first  termed  the  tensor  fascise.  It  has  an  origin  which  is 
sometimes  entirely  in  front  of  the  acetabulum,  and  some- 
times extends  behind  it.  It  arises  tendinously  from  the 
fascia  covering  the  glutaeus  medius,  and  from  the  ridge  of 
the  ilium ;  ite  insertion  is  tendinous  on  to  fascia  covering 
thigh. 

GlutcEiis  Anterior.4 — This  muscle  arises  from  the  ridge  of 
the  ilium  below  the  last,  by  which  it  is  entirely  covered ;  it 
is  inserted  by  a  tendon  on  to  the  outer  face  of  the  thigh. 
The  most  remarkable  modification  which  this  muscle  under- 
goes is  its  entire  conversion  into  tendon  in  Bucorvus,  &c., 
in  which  birds  it  comes  to  be  merely  a  thigh  ligament. 

Glutceus  Medius.5 — This  arises  fleshily  from  the  ilium, 
and  is  inserted  by  a  short  strong  tendon  on  to  head  of 
femur. 

1  '  Ilio-tibialis  internus  '  (GADOW).  -  '  Ilio-tibialis  externus  '  (GADOW). 

3  '  On  certain  Muscles  of  the  Thigh  of  Birds,'  Ac.,  P.  Z.  S.  1873,  p.  626,  and 
1874,  p.  111. 

4  '  Ilio-femoralis  externus  '  (GADOW). 

^  '  Ilio-trochantericus  medius  et  posterior  '  (GADOW). 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   HIND    LIMB 


9] 


Glutccns  QuartuK.1 — This  is  a  small  muscle  lying  at  its 
insertion  between  that  just  described  and  that  about  to  be 
described. 

Glutccus   Minimus.'2 — This   muscle    is    also    small,    and 


GLUT, 


FIG.  50. — MUSCLES  OF  LEG  OF  Palfiincdea,  OUTER  VIEW   (AFTER  BEDDARD 

AND  MITCHELL). 

arising  from  the  ilium  is  inserted  next  to  the  last  on  to  the 
neck  of  the  femur. 

Pectineus.*—  This  is  a  smallish  muscle  arising  below  the 

1   '  Ilio-trochantericus  medius  et  posterior  '  (GADOW). 
•  '  Ilio-trochantericus  anterior  '  (GAI«>\V). 
3  '  Ilio-femoralis  internus'  (GADOW). 


92  STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

origin  of  the  gluteeus  quartus  and  inserted  on  to  the  inner 
face  of  the  femur  below  the  head. 

Vastus  Externus.1 — This  arises  fleshily  along  the  greater 
part  of  the  outer  side  of  the  shaft  of  the  femur ;  it  is  fused 
with  the  crureus  in  front,  and  ends  with  it  upon  the  patellar 
ligament. 

Crureus.1 — This  is  tendinous  on  the  outer  surface  at  its 
origin  from  the  neck  of  the  femur  ;  it  also  arises  from  a 
considerable  part  of  the  shaft  of  the  femur  and  is  inserted 
as  has  already  been  described. 

Vastus  Interims.1 — This  arises  from  the  inner  surface  of 
the  shaft  of  the  femur  and  is  inserted  on  to  the  tibia  along 
with  the  tibial  insertion  of  the  sartorius. 

Obturator  E.i-tcrnus? — This  is  a  small  deep-lying  muscle, 
which  arises  from  the  ischium  or  the  ilium,  or  even  partly 
from  the  pubis  ;  it  is  inserted  on  to  the  trochanter. 

Obturator  Interims.3 — This  muscle  arises  from  the  mem- 
brana  obturatoria  and  from  the  ischium.  It  is  inserted  on 
to  head  of  femur.  GAKROD  4  laid  some  classificatory  stress 
upon  the  shape  of  this  muscle,  oval  or  triangular. 

Gemelhis.* — This  is  a  small  fleshy  muscle,  double  or 
single,  surrounding  the  tendon  of  insertion  of  the  last. 

Semite)idinosus.t]—T-n  Palamedea  thismuscle  arises  fleshily 
from  the  ilium  behind  the  biceps  ;  it  is  half  an  inch  broad, 
and,  after  being  joined  by  the  small  accessory  which  springs 
from  the  femur  near  its  distal  end,  sends  a  flat  tendinous 
slip  to  the  semimembraiiosus.  The  rest  of  the  tendon  of  the 
muscle  joins  the  middle  head  of  the  gastrocnemius.  The 
muscle  shows  considerable  variations  in  its  attachments  and 
size.  It  is  completely  absent  in  the  owls,  hawks,  and  swifts. 
The  accessory  head  is  absent  in  kingfishers,  many  Stegano- 
podes,  Col/jinbn$,  &c. 

1  '  Femori-tibialis  '  (G.u>o\v).  -  '  Ischio-femoralis  '  (GADOW). 

3  '  Obturator  '  (GADOW). 

4  '  On  the  Anatomy  of  Chauna  derbiana,'  &c.,  P.  Z.  S.  187<>,  p.  195. 

5  '  Accessorii  musculi  obturatoris  '  ( 

6  '  Caud-ilio-fiexorius  '  (GADOW). 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   HIND    LIMB  93 

Femorocaudal .' — This  is  another  of  the  variable  muscles 
of  the  thigh.  Typically  the  muscle  is  two-headed,  one  head 
arising  from  the  transverse  processes  of  the  caudal  vertebrae, 
the  other  (termed  by  GARROD  accessory  femorocaudal)  from 
the  ilium.  The  two  are  inserted  together  upon  the  flexor 
side  of  the  femur,  as  a  rule  by  a  longish  tendon. 

The  variations  culminate  in  the  entire  absence  of  the 
muscle,  which  occurs  in  Chunga  Burmeisteri  and  Leptoptilus. 
In  some  species — for  example,  in  most  Passeres  and  picarian 
birds — the  caudal  portion  is  alone  present.  In  others — e.g.  in 
Serpentarius,  Otis,  Phcenicopterus,  the  iliac  portion  is  alone 
present. 

Biceps  Femoris?-  -This  muscle  is  covered  externally  by 
the  glutseus  maximus  where  this  is  present  ;  otherwise  it  is 
the  most  superficial  of  the  flexors  of  the  leg.  It  arises  from 
the  postacetabular  region  of  the  ilium,  and  ends  in  a  strong, 
generally  round,  tendon,  which  passes  through  a  sling  of 
tendon  which  is  derived  from  the  femur  independently,  and 
from  the  same  bone  in  common  with  one  of  the  heads  of  the 
gastrocnemius,  to  be  inserted  on  to  the  fibula.  The  principal 
variations  of  the  muscle  concern  its  more  or  less  extensive 
origin.  It  has  never  been  known  to  be  absent.  In  Cory- 
thaix  GADOW  states  that  it  is  double.  In  the  ostrich  and  in 
the  ducks  and  swans  there  is  the  usual  sling,  but  before 
entering  the  sling  the  biceps  gives  off  a  branch,  which  joins 
one  of  the  heads  of  the  gastrocnemius.  In  Fregata  and  in 
some  swifts  quite  exceptional^  the  sling  is  totally  absent, 
but  the  muscle  has  the  usual  insertion.  In  certain  auks  the 
muscle  gives  off,  before  entering  the  biceps  sling,  a  branch 
to  the  thigh  superficially.  In  Podica  seuegalensis  the 
muscle  divides  into  three  branches.  The  first  of  these  has 
a  considerable  superficial  attachment  to  the  outside  of  the 
leg  ;  the  second  is  attached  to  the  fibula  below  the  attach- 
ment of  the  third  insertion,  which  is  the  normal  one,  through 
a  sling.  In  Heliornis  only  the  first  and  third  of  these  are 
present. 

1     '  Caud-ilio-femoralis  '  (G.uxnv).  z  '  Ilio-fibularis  '  (G.vnow). 


94  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF    BIRDS 

Semimembranosus,1 — Arises  from  the  iscliium,  sometimes 
trenching  a  little  upon  the  pubis.  It  is  inserted  upon  the 
tibia.  The  variations  which  it  shows  are  mainly  of  size. 
In  Plio&nicopterus  it  is  two-headed,  and  in  certain  Falconidee 


i us 


ID 


FIG.  51. — LEG  MUSCLES  OF  Palamedea,  INNER  VIEW  (AFTER  BEDDARD 
AND  MITCHELL),  ILLUSTRATING  BICEPS  AND  ITS  SLING. 

completely  double.     It  is  often  inserted  in  common    with 
the  semitendinosus. 

Adductors.'1-  -These  are,  as  a  rule,  two  broad,  flat,  fleshy 
bands,  which  arise  from  the  pubis,  and  from  the  iscliium, 
and  are  inserted  upon  the  inner  edge  of  the  femur.  The 
separation  between  the  two  parts  is  less  in  some  birds  than 


'  Ischio-flexorius  '  (GAM>\V). 


'-'  '  Pub-ischio-femoralis  '  (GADOW). 


MUSCLES   OF   THE    HIND    LIMB  !).-> 

in    others.     There  is   also    occasionally    (e.g.    hornbills)    an 
additional  attachment  to  the  gastrocnemius. 

Ambiens. — This  muscle,  as  is  well  known,  is  not  present 
in  all  birds.  Though  the  late  Mr.  GAREOD  used  it  largely 
in  his  scheme  of  classification,  its  mere  presence  or  absence 
is  not  an  absolute  guide  to  the  systematic  rank  of  the  bird. 
Broadly  speaking,  it  is  present  in  all  the  birds  which 
GAEEOD  called  homalogonatous,  or  normal-kneed,  and 


gastr. 


Femur 


fi&ula. 


FIG.  52. — LE<;  MUSCLES  OF  Balearica  (AFTER  MITCHELL).     THE 

AMBIEXS  TEXDOX  is  CUT. 
1,  rtexor  longus  hallucis  :  2-4,  flexores  perforati  ;  2',  ",'  tk-xores  perforati  et  perforantes. 

it  is  absent  in  all  the  birds  which  were  termed  by  him 
anomalogonatous,  or  abnormal-kneed.  But  there  are  excep- 
tions, at  any  rate  on  one  side.  Thus  while  the  muscle  is 
present  in  the  storks  generally  it  is  absent  from  the  nearly 
related  herons,  and,  indeed,  is  absent  in  three  storks,  Xenu- 
rlnjnchus,  Abdimia,  and  Dissura.  When  the  muscle  is 
present  it  has  as  a  rule  the  relations  described  above ;  but 
in  a  few  birds  it  does  not  reach  beyond  the  knee,  thus 
showing,  perhaps,  an  incipient  disappearance.  The  import- 


96 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


ance  of  this  muscle  in  classification  has  been  much  increased 
by  MITCHELL'S  interesting  paper  upon  its  exact  relations 
to  the  flexors  of  the  leg  in  a  series  of  birds.1  He  has  shown 
that  in  Baharica  clirysopelargus  the  mass  of  muscle  which 
forms  the  flexor  perforatus  arises  from  three  distinct  heads  ; 
one  of  these  is,  in  common  with  the  flexor  lorigus  hallucis, 
from  the  intercondylar  notch  of  the  femur;  the  second  is 


i.QLt/7;  2. 


(JftST 

and 

CRUR 


Iff  J? 

I 

FLEX.  COM 

Fin.  53. — LEG  MUSCLES  OF  Opisthocomus  (AFTER  MITCHELL). 
II-IV,  flexores  in-rt'unii  i. 

from  the  outer  condyle  of  the  same  bone  ;  the  third  is  from 
the  tendon  of  the  ambiens.  This  tendon  divides  into  three, 
one  for  each  of  the  three  divisions  of  the  flexor  perforatus. 
The  arrangement  will  be  obvious  from  the  accompanying 
cut.  Apart  from  slight  differences  in  detail  the  same 
arrangement  was  found  to  hold  good  for  a  few  other  birds 
provided  with  an  ambiens. 

1  '  On  the  Perforated  Flexor  Muscles  in  some  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1834,  p.  495. 


MUSCLES   OF   THE    HIND    IAMB  97 

In  Nycticorax  Garden i,  which  has  no  ambiens,  there  is  a 
difference  in  the  origin  of  the  flexors  in  question  which  is  of 
great  interest.    The  two  origins  from  the  femur  are  as  in  the 
crane.     But  there  being  no  ambiens  there  can  be  no  origin 
from   that   muscle.      Nevertheless    the    third   head    of    the 
flexors  is  present  in  the   shape  (see  fig.  53)  of  a  broad  ten- 
dinous band  arising  from  the  fibula,  which  soon  divides  into 
the  three  tendons  to  the  three  muscles,  precisely  as  does  the 
tendon  of  the  ambiens.     This  is  highly  suggestive  of  the 
rudiment  of  an  ambiens,  a  suggestion  which  is  confirmed  on 
referring  to  a  specimen  of  Opisthocomus  without  a  fully  de- 
veloped ambiens  (fig.  53).     And  as  the  herons  are  birds  which 
are  presumed  to  be  really   homalogonatous  birds,   though 
they  have  lost  the  ambiens,  the  fact  is  of  additional  interest ; 
particularly  is  this    so   when   we    compare    the    conditions 
obtaining    in   Nycticorax    with    those    which    characterise 
Corvus,  a  clearly  anomalogonatous  bird,  none  of  whose  near 
relatives  possess  an  ambiens.     In  Corvus  capellanus  it  was 
discovered  that  the  flexors  usually  connected  with  the  am- 
biens, or  with  its  rudiment,  had  no  origin  from  the  fibula 
at  all,  and  arose  by  only  a  single  head  from  the  femur.     The 
same  was  practically   the  case    with  Bubo  maximus,  only 
that    both    femoral    heads    were   present.      Now  the    owls, 
formerly   relegated    to    the    Accipitres,  are    more    generally 
looked  upon   as  related   to  the  picarian  birds,  forming,  in 
fact,  a  section  of  the  anomalogonatse  of  GAEEOD.     The  state 
of  their  ambiens  is  entirely  confirmatory  of  this  placing. 
We  have  some  evidence,  therefore,  that  there  are  degrees  in 
the  disappearance  of  the  ambiens,  which,  so  far  as  the  few 
types  that  have  been  examined  enable  us  to  say,  distinctly 
support  the  division  of  birds  into  the  two  great  divisions  of 
GAEEOD. 

Peroneus  Superficialis. — Confined  as  a  rule  to  the  tibia 
in  its  origin,  this  muscle  sometimes  springs  also  from  the 
fibula.  The  tendon  of  insertion,  after  giving  off  a  branch 
to  the  tarsus,  becomes  attached  to  the  tendon  of  the  flexor 
perforatus  digiti  III.  This  muscle  is  occasionally  completely 
absent  ;  this  is  the  case  with  various  Picopasseres,  owls,  &c. 

H 


98  STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

In  Podiceps,  according  to  GADOW,  there  is  no  branch  to  the 
flexor  tendon,  the  tendon  of  insertion  -ending  at  the  ankle. 

Peroneus  Profundus. — This  muscle  arises  from  the  lower 
part  of  the  tibia,  and  is  inserted  on  to  the  outer  side  of  the 
ankle.  It  is  completely  absent  in  such  birds  as  Ciconia, 
Otis,  &.c. 

Gastrocnemius. — This  great  muscle  occupies  the  greater 
part  of  the  back  of  the  leg.  It  has  three  heads,  of  which 
the  outer  arises  from  the  outer  condyle  of  the  femur,  and 
from  the  ligament  which  supports  the  insertion  of  the 
biceps ;  the  inner  head  springs  from  the  inner  side  of  the 
head  and  neck  of  the  tibia  ;  the  middle  head  is  confused  at  its 
origin  with  the  insertion  of  the  accessory  femoro-caudal. 
This  middle  head  appears  to  be  wanting  in  Cypselus.  It  is 
inserted  by  a  strong  tendon  to  the  tarso-metatarsus,  and 
also,  dividing,  to  the  phalanges  of  the  toes. 

Poplitei(s.~-This  muscle  passes  between  the  tibia  and 
the  fibula  in  most  birds,  but  has  been  found  to  be  sometimes 
absent  (e.g.  Picus,  &c.) 

TibiaMs  Anticus. — This  muscle  arises  by  two  distinct 
heads.  The  first  is  entirely  tendinous,  and  is  from  the 
external  condyle  of  the  femur.  It  forms  a  long  and  strong 
ligament,  which  runs  over  the  knee ;  the  second  head  is 
fleshy,  and  is  from  the  front  part  of  the  head  of  the  tibia. 
Its  long  tendon  of  insertion  is  attached  to  the  metatarsal. 
In  certain  birds  (Chrysotis,  Podargus,  and  owls)  the  tendon 
and  even  a  portion  of  the  muscle  are  double. 

Extensor  Digitorum  Communis. — This  muscle  arises  gene- 
rally from  the  front  part  of  the  tibia  only,  but  sometimes  its 
fibres  of  origin  stray  on  to  the  patella  and  on  to  the  fibula. 
The  divisions  of  the  tendon  of  the  muscle  are  usually  inserted 
on  to  several  phalanges  of  the  toes,  which  they  supply.  It 
is  remarkable  that  the  parrots  are  the  only  birds  in  which  this 
muscle  supplies  the  hallux  as  well  as  the  other  toes  ;  it  is, 
therefore,  in  them,  as  GADOW  remarks,  truly  an  extensor 
commutiis.  In  other  birds  digits  I.,  III.,  IV.  (when  present) 
are  the  only  toes  supplied.  The  common  tendon  divides  in 
various  ways  ;  in  Grus  virgo  the  tendon  divides  into  two, 


.MUSCLES   OF    THE    HIND    LIMB  99 

and  each  of  these  again  divides  ;  there  are  thus  four  tendons, 
of  which  the  two  middle  ones  supply  the  third  toe.  In 
PtilonorJii/neJii/x  riolacciiH  the  tendon  first  gives  off  a  branch 
to  the  second  toe,  and  then  divides  for  the  third  and  fourth. 
In  tthaniphastos  carinatitx  all  three  branches  are  given  off  at 
the  same  level.  In  Pharomacrus  mocinno  the  extensor  sup- 
plies only  the  two  middle  digits.  In  Scopus  there  is  a  slight 
variation  of  what  is  found  in  Gnis,  Nothura,  &c.  The 
tendon  divides  into  three,  and  the  middle  one  again  divides 
into  two,  both  of  which  latter  supply  the  middle  digit. 
The  superficial  flexors  of  the  foot  consist  of- 
Flexor  Perforatus  et  Perforans  Indicts  (fig.  51). — Arising 
from  the  outer  condyle  of  the  femur,  and  from  the  septum 
between  itself  and  adjacent  muscles  ;  its  tendon  is  inserted 
on  to  base  of  second  phalanx  of  its  digit. 

Flexor  Perforatus  et  Perforans  Medii. — Has  two  heads 
of  origin,  one  as  in  last,  the  other  from  fibula.  Its  tendon 
perforates  that  of  flexor  perforates  of  the  same  digit,  and  is 
perforated  by  flexor  profiuulns  ;  it  is  inserted  on  to  base  of 
second  phalanx  (in  Palamedea,  third  in  Ciconia}  of  its 
digits. 

Flexor  Perforatus.  —  This  muscle  (see  figs.  5'2,  53)  arises 
from  two  heads,  an  inner  head  from  the  intercondylar  notch 
and  an  outer  head  from  the  outer  condyle  of  the  femur.  As 
will  be  seen  from  the  annexed  cuts,  those  portions  of  the 
muscle  which  supply  digits  III.  and  IV.  have  slips  from  both 
heads,  but  not  that  which  supplies  digit  II.  These  muscles 
also  arise  either  from  the  ambiens  or  from  the  fibula,  as  has 
been  explained  above  under  the  description  of  the  ambiens. 
The  tendon  to  digit  II.  is  inserted  at  the  base  of  the  first 
phalanx,  that  to  digit  III.  is  usually  joined  by  a  vinculum 
(absent  in  Opisthocomus,  As  to  otus,  and  Ehijt  idiceros  plicat  tin) 
to  tendon  of  flexor  perforates  et  perforans  medii,  and  is 
inserted  on  to  base  of  second  phalanx  of  digit  III.  The  third 
tendon  has  four  slips  of  insertion,  on  to  four  proximal 
phalanges  of  digit  IV.  The  descriptions  of  the  insertion  of 
these  tendons  applies  to  Ciconia  iiigra.  There  are  varia- 
tions. 

H2 


100 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 


Flexor  Profundus. — Arises  from  nearly  whole  hinder 
surface  of  tibia  and  fibula,  and  sometimes  also  by  a  head 
from  the  outer  condyle  of  femur. 

Flexor  Hallucis. — Arises  by  a  single  head,  or  by  two 
heads,  from  the  outer-  condyle  of  femur  and  from  inter - 
condylar  region. 

The  tendons  of  the  two  last-described  muscles  are  con- 


V- 


FIG.  54.—  Gallus  bankiva  (AFTER     FIG.  55 — Apteryx  Mantelli  (AFTER 
GARROD).  GARHOD). 

nected  with  each  other  in  various  ways,  which  have  been 
described  and  illustrated  by  Mr.  GARBOD.'  In  using  his 
figures  I  accept  the  seven  types  admitted  by  Dr.  GADOW.2 

(1)  In  gallinaceous  birds,  pigeons,  parrots,  storks,  &c.,  the 
tendons  cross,  and  are  united  by  a  simple  vinculum  (fig.  54). 

1  '  On  the  Disposition  of  the  Deep  Plantar   Tendons  in  different  Birds, v 
P.  Z.  S.  1875,  p.  339. 

2  In  Newton's  Dictionary  of  Birds,  p.  617. 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   HIND    LIMB 


101 


(2)  In  Apteryx,  &c.,  the  vinculum  is    very  strong,  and 
forms  the  direct  continuation  of  the  tendon  of  the  flexor 
hallucis ;  the  tendon  to  the  hallux  has  the  appearance  of 
being  a  branch  of  this  (fig.  55). 

(3)  In  many  Accipitres  the  flexor  hallucis  divides  into  two 
parts  at  the  lower  end  of  metatarsus  ;  one  of  these  goes  to  hal- 
lux, the  other  blends  with  the  branch  of  the  flexor  communis 


FIG.  5G. —  Tinnimculus 
alaudarius  (AFTER  GARROI>). 


Fia.  57. — Buceros  rhinoceros 
(AFTER  GARROD). 


which  supplies  digit  II. ;  there  may  be  in  addition  a  strong 
vinculum,  uniting  tendons  before  their  splitting  (fig.  56). 

(4)  In  Ehca,  Phcenicopterus,  &c.,  where  hallux  is  small 
or  absent,  the  two  tendons  are  present,  but  fuse  together, 
branching  later  to  supply  the  digits  present. 

(5)  In  Buceros,  Podargus,  Sarcorhamphus,  &c.,  the  two 
tendons  fuse  completely  before  supplying  the  digits  (fig.  57). 

(6)  In    Megaleema,   Rlmmphastidce,    &c.,    the    vinculum 
is    present,  but  flexor   digitorum   supplies    only    digit    III., 


102  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

the    others    being    supplied    by    trifurcate    flexor    hallucis 
(fig.  58). 

(7)  Both  tendons  present,  but  no  vinculum  at  all  in 
Passeres  (fig.  59). 

Of  these  seven  types  there  are  naturally  modifications 
and  intermediate  conditions,  which  will  be  described  in  the 
systematic  part  below. 

Short  Flexors. — Of  these  there  are  two  series  ;  one  set 


IV 


ITT 

FIG.  58.—  Mcgalcsma   (AFTEK 
GAHBOD). 


FIG.  59. — A  PASSEIUNE  FOOT 
(AFTEK  GAKKOU). 


arises  from  the  bones  of  the  metatarsus,  the  others  from  the 
long  tendons.  We  shall  commence  with  the  first  set. 

The  flexor  hallucis  brevis  is  often  (Palamedea,  Aceros) 
composed  of  two  distinct  muscles  with  separate  tendons 
and  insertions  on  to  the  first  digit. 

Flexor  (adductor)  dirjiti  II.  is  inserted  on  to  the  median 
side  of  the  base  of  first  phalanx  of  digit  II. 

Flexor  (adductor)  digiti  IV.  arises  near  to  the  last,  and 
has  a  similar  relation  to  the  basal  phalanx  of  digit  IV. 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   HIND   LIMB  103 

Flexor  secundux  (adductor)  digiti  IV.  is  a  muscle  which 
appears  to  be  generally  absent  (e.g.  Ciconia),  and  is  not, 
according  to  GADOW,  mentioned  by  authors.  It  is  present 
in  Rliea  and  Bucorvus. 

The  last-named  muscle  may  be  the  equivalent  of  the 
first  of  the  two  short  flexors  which  arise  from  the  deep  long 
flexor  tendons.  Of  these  there  are  two. 

(1)  MITCHELL  has  described  in  Opisthocomus  a  muscular 
slip  which  leaves  the  longus  hallucis  tendon  and  runs  to  the 
fourth  digit.     A  similar  muscle  is  present  in  Ardea  cinerea  ;  1 
I  have   found  it  in  the  hornbill,  Ceratogymna  elata  (not  in 
Acer os  nipalensis) . 

(2)  Another  muscle   (flexor  brevis  digiti  III.  of  GADOW) 
arises  from  tendon  of  flexor  prof undus  in  Opisthocomus,  Rhea, 
<kc.,  and  passes  to  third  digit.'2 

Of  short  extensor  muscles  there  are  at  most  six. 

The  extensor  hallucis,  generally  single,  is  two-headed 
in  Pandion,  and  formed  of  two  distinct  muscles  in  Pala- 
medea. 

The  extensor  proprius  and  extensor  brevis  digiti  III.  both 
supply  the  third  digit.  In  Aceros  and  Bucorvus  a  single  but 
two-headed  muscle  appears  to  represent  both. 

The  extensor  (adductor)  digiti  II.  is  not  always  present. 

The  same  may  be  said  of  the  extensor  digiti  IV. 

Muscles  of  the  Neck  and  Trunk 

These  muscles  are,  many  of  them,  not  easy  to  isolate  and 
describe.  There  is,  in  consequence  of  this,  some  divergence 
in  the  published  accounts.  Furthermore,  insufficient  data 
have  been  collected  for  the  estimation  of  the  use  of  these 
muscles  in  classification.  The  account  which  follows  is  an 
almost  verbatim  transcript  from  a  paper  upon  Palamedea3 
by  Mr.  MITCHELL  and  myself. 

'  It  is  suggested  by  MITCHELL  that  these  muscles  (which  require  further 
study)  may  '  throw  light  upon  the  origin  of  the  very  peculiar  modes  of  distribu- 
tion of  the  hallucis  tendon  in  some  groups  of  birds,  as  it  has  been  repeatedly 
shown  that  a  tendon  may  be  the  homologue  of  a  muscle.' 

-  GARROP  MS.  3  Quoted  on  p.  108. 


104  STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Biventer  Cervicis. — The  two  muscles  are  perfectly  separate 
from  each  other.  They  arise  tendinous  from  the  spiuous 
process  of  the  first  dorsal  vertebra.  Then  follow  a  tendon 
of  an  inch  long,  a  belly  of  two  inches,  again  a  tendon  of  four 
inches,  then  another  muscular  belly  of  one  and  a  half  inch, 
which  is  inserted  fleshy  on  to  the  occipital  below  the  coin- 
plexus.  In  some  kingfishers  (q.v.)  the  two  muscles  are 
joined  by  a  tendinous  limb. 

Complexus. — This  muscle  arises  from  the  transverse  pro- 
cesses of  the  third  and  fourth  cervical  vertebra,  and  from 
the  fibres  covering  the  inter trahsversarii  of  the  same.  It 
is  inserted,  separated  from  its  fellow  by  a  septum,  on  to  the 
transverse  ridge  of  the  occipital.  The  muscle  is  entirely 
fleslry. 

Longissimus  Dorsi. — It  arises  by  a  series  of  fleshy  fibres 
from  the  front  edge  of  the  ilium,  becomes  tendinous  in  the 
middle,  and  then  is  inserted  by  fleshy  fibres  on  to  the  lateral 
surface  of  the  vertebral  spine  next  in  front  ;  the  next  anterior 
part  arises  tendinously  from  the  spinous  process  of  the  most 
posterior  uncovered  dorsal  vertebra,  and  is  inserted  on  to 
the  vertebra  next  in  front  :  then  follow  two  of  precisely 
similar  relations  ;  the  next  is  carried  on  to  the  dorsal  surface 
of  the  longissimus  dorsi,  as  also  is  the  last  or  most  anterior 
portion. 

Ilio-costalis. — This  complex  muscle'  lies  laterally  to  the 
foregoing  muscle  ;  it  is  fused  at  the  edge  with  its  fibres.  It 
arises  from  the  ilium  and  from  the  transverse  process  beside 
the  attachment  of  the  rib  ;  two  similar  slips  in  front  of  this 
arise  from  the  transverse  process  and  from  the  adjacent 
surface  of  the  rib.  The  ends  of  the  slips  are  inserted  partly 
on  to  the  surface  of  the  ribs  and  partly  pass  on  to  the  lateral 
musculature  of  the  neck. 

Cervicalis  Ascendens. — This  is  the  lateral  muscle  anterior 
to  the  ilio-costalis.  It  consists  of  five  distinct  slips  arising 
from  the  transverse  processes  of  vertebrae  xvi.-xi.,  with  the 
exception  of  xn.-  The  two  posterior  are  inserted  on  to 
the  vertebrae  next  in  front  ;  the  next  two  are  inserted  on  to 
the  surface  of  the  oblique  muscles  next  in  front ;  the  last 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   NECK   AND   TRUNK  105 

one  on  to  the  oblique  muscle  next  but  one  in  front.  Behind 
these  slips,  which  were  obvious,  there  were  indications  of 
additional  slips  both  in  front  and  behind,  but  these  were 
not  sufficiently  differentiated  from  the  adjacent  muscles  for 
separate  description. 

Lung  its  Cera  ids. — This  median  muscle  arises  from  the 
forward  continuation  of  the  longissimus  dorsi  and  from  the 
median  underlying  part  of  the  spinalis  complex. 

Spinalis  Complex. — This  system  of  muscles  lies  deeper 
than  the  foregoing.  It  is  divisible  into  three  parts.  Part  I. 
(sometimes  called  the  spinalis  dorsi)  arises  apparently  only 
from  the  longissimus  dorsi  ;  it  gives  off  six  fleshy  bellies 
which  increase  in  length  from  the  posterior  to  the  anterior ; 
they  are  inserted  on  to  the  upper  posterior  surface  of  the 
oblique  processes  of  cervicals  x.-xvi.  In  addition  the 
superior  fibres  from  these  heads  form  a  well-marked  rounded 
muscular  cord,  which  runs  forward  to  form  the  longus  colli 
posticits.  Part  II.  consists  of  only  four  well-differentiated 
slender  bellies  ;  these  arise  from  the  spinous  processes  of 
cervicals  xm.-xv.,  and  they  are  inserted  on  to  a  continuous 
longitudinal  band,  the  posterior  part  of  which  sends  slips 
to  the  three  posterior  branches  of  the  spinalis  dorsi,  while 
the  anterior  end  is  inserted  on  to  the  oblique  processes  of 
cervicals  x.,  XL,  at  the  roots  of  the  anterior  two  spinalis 
dorsi  bellies.  Part  III.  (longus  colli  posticits)  arises  from  the 
sides  of  the  spinous  processes  of  cervicals  II.-XL,  and  from 
part  I.  of  the  spinalis  complex  ;  it  is  inserted  by  digitations 
which  merge  with  the  intervertebral  muscles  in  front  of  its 
origins.  It  has  been  specially  described  and  figured  by 
GARROD  for  Plot  its. 

Eectits  Cap  it  is  Posticits. — It  arises  from  the  spinous 
process  of  atlas  and  axis  ;  its  fibres  spread  out  over  the 
occipital  under  the  complexus. 

Intertransver  sales. —  These  muscles  are  obvious  all  the 
way  along  from  the  ilium  to  the  neck,  running  between  the 
transverse  processes  of  the  vertebrae. 

Obliqui  (Transverso-spinales}. — They  are  clearly  differen- 
tiated only  from  the  last  to  the  seventh  cervical.  They  are 


106  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

large  fleshy  digitations  arising  from  the  transverse  processes, 
and  inserted  on  to  the  lateral  face  of  the  spinous  processes 
next  but  one  in  front. 

Rectus  Capitis  Anticus  Major. — It  arises  all  along  the 
neck  from  the  hypapophyses  and  from  fascia  ;  about  the 
middle  of  the  neck  it  grades  into  the  long  us  colli,  from  a  slip 
of  which  it  first  arises  about  the  level  of  the  seventh  vertebra. 
Its  broad  fleshy  insertion  is  tendinous  on  the  outside,  is 
fused  with  its  fellow  in  the  middle  line,  and  extends  for 
about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  on  the  anterior  outer  edge  of  the 
basi-occipital. 

Rectus  Capitis  Anticus  Minor. — This  is  a  fleshy  broad 
muscle  underlying  the  preceding.  Its  origin  is  fleshy  and 
continuous  from  first  four  vertebra?.  It  has  a  broad  fleshy 
insertion  to  the  extreme  outer  posterior  face  of  the  ridge 
behind  the  meatus  auditorius. 

Long  us  Colli. — It  arises  from  the  middle  of  the  centrum 
of  the  second  dorsal  vertebra  tendinously,  and  then  by  a 
series  of  tendons  from  each  vertebra  up  to  the  overlap  of  the 
rectus  capitis.  It  is  inserted  by  a  series  of  slips  to  the 
vertebrae  in  front  of  its  origins. 

Intertuberculares. — These  are  a  series  of  short  muscles 
forming  the  deepest  layer  of  the  neck  musculature. 

Interappendiculares  Costarum. — The  first  arises  from  the 
end  of  the  last  free  rib,  and  runs  backwards  and  downwards 
to  the  lateral  anterior  process  of  the  sternum ;  the  second 
from  the  junction  of  the  sternal  and  costal  parts  of  the  first 
complete  rib ;  it  shortly  fuses  with  the  third,  which  arises 
from  the  costal  part  of  the  next  rib.  These  two  are  then 
inserted  together.  The  fourth  arises  from,  the  third,  fourth, 
and  fifth  costal  ribs  and  from  the  space  between  them,  and 
is  inserted  immediately  behind  the  others.  The  posterior 
ones  are  smaller. 

Intercostales  Externi. — These  are  confined  to  the  whole 
of  the  costal  part  ;  the  fibres  run  from  above  in  front  and 
downwards  towards  the  caudal  end. 

Inter costales  Inter ni. — These  are  confined  to  the  lower 
half  of  the  costal  ribs,  and  are  chiefly  tendinous. 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   XE(  .'K    AND   TRUNK 


107 


Costi-sternales. — Four  slips  arising  tendinously  from  the 
sternal  ribs,  and  inserted  fleshy  to  the  sternum. 

Costo-sternalis  Extern  us. — This  peculiar  muscle,  appa- 
rently found  only  in  Palamedeidse,  replaces  physiologically 
the  uncinate  processes,  as  its  broad  ribbon-like  belly  runs 
diagonally  across  the  outer  surface  of  the  ribs.  It  arises  by 
a  very  thin  flat  tendon  from  the  third,  fourth,  and  fifth  ribs, 
and  from  the  interspaces 
between  them.  It  is  inserted 
to  the  costal  edge  of  the 
sternum  half  an  inch  from  the 
posterior  end. 

Caudal  Muscles 

The  caudal  muscles  (in 
Palamedea)  are  illustrated  in 
the  accompanying  figure. 

Levator  Coccygis. — This 
arises  on  each  side  from  ilium, 
from  lateral  faces  of  spinous 
processes,  and  from  trans- 
verse processes  of  caudal 
vertebrae.  It  •  is  inserted  on 
to  membrane  covering  rec- 
trices. 

Ilio-coccygeus. — On   each 
side   there  are  two  parts  of 
this    muscle,    bol;h    entirely 
fleshy.     They  arise  from  the     FIG.  60.™ CAUDAL  MUSCLES  OF  I'uiu- 
ilium  and  the  ilio-sacral  liga-   ntfdea  (AFTEB  BEDI)ABr>  AND  MlTCHELL)- 
ment,  and  are  inserted  on  to  outer  rectrix. 

Pubo-coccyyeiis  Externus. — This  is  the  most  posterior  of 
the  muscles  of  the  tail.  It  arises  from  the  pubis  and  is 
inserted  on  to  external  rectrix. 

Pubo-coccygeiis  Interims.— Arises  in  front  of  and  below 
the  last-mentioned.  The  origin  extends  also  on  to  the 
ischium.  The  muscle  is  inserted  on  to  last  one  or  two  caudal 
vertebrae. 


108  STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

Depressor  Coccyyis. — This  springs  from  the  transverse 
process  of  the  last  sacral  vertebra,  and  from  the  adjacent 
surface  of  the  ilio-sacral  ligament.  It  is  inserted  on  to  the 
transverse  processes  of  the  last  three  or  four  caudal  vertebrae. 


Abdominal  Muscles 

ObliquiLs  Abdominis  Externns. — The  muscle  arises  from 
the  ribs  and  from  their  uncinate  processes.  It  ends  by  an 
aponeurosis  upon  the  pubis. 

Obliquus  Abdominis  Interims. — Lies  between  the  last 
muscle  and  the  next.  It  passes  from  the  pubis,  extending 
on  to  ilium  to  the  last  true  rib.  A  separate  slip  of  this  is 
described  as  the  quadratus  lumborum,  running  from  the  last 
false  rib  to  the  crest  of  the  ilium. 

Transversus  Abdominis.— This  is  the  deepest  of  the  ab- 
dominal muscles.  It  springs  from  the  pubis  and  preace- 
tabular  ilium,  and  its  aponeurosis  ends  in  that  of  its  fellow 
in  the  linea  alba. 

Eectus  Abdominis. —  Springs  from  last  sternal  rib  and 
from  sternum,  and  is  attached  to  pubis. 

Transverso-analis. — This  passes  across  the  abdomen  in 
front  of  the  cloacal  aperture,  and  meets  its  fellow.  It  arises 
either  from  the  pelvis  or  from  the  transverse  processes  of 
certain  caudal  vertebrae. 


Hyoidean  Muscles 

Our  knowledge  of  the  muscles  of  the  hyoidean  apparatus 
and  the  neighbourhood  is  chiefly  due  to  GiEBEL,1  GADow.2 
and  MITCHELL.3  I  mainly  follow  the  latter  in  his  account 
:)f  these  muscles  in  Opisthocomus  and  in  Palamedea. 


c 


'  Die  Zunge  cler  Vogel,'  &c.,  Zeitschr.  f.  d.  ges.  Katiirwiss.  xi.  1858,  p.  19. 
-  BRONN'S  Thierreich,  '  Aves.' 

'  A  Contribution  to  the  Anatomy  of  the  Hoatzin  (Opisthocomus  cristatus),' 
P.  Z.  ,S'.  1816,  p.  618  ;  BEDUAHD  and  MITCHELL,  '  On  the  Anatomy  of  Palamedea 
cornuta;  P.  Z.  ,S'.  1894,  p.  536.  See  also  G.  L.  DUVKHNOY,  '  Memoire  sur 
quelques  Particularites  cles  Organes  cle  la  Deglutition  de  la  Classe  des  Oiseaux,' 
Ac.,  M6m.  Soc.  Hist.  Nat.  Strasbourg,  ii.  1835 ;  J.  KACZANDER,  '  Beitriige  zur 
Entwicklungsgeschichte  cler  Kaumuskulatur,'  Mtli.  Embr.  last.  Wien,  1883. 


IIYOIDEAN    MUSCLES 


109 


The  m.ylolujoid  anterior  is  a  sheet  of  muscles  passing 
across  between  the  rami  of  the  mandible  anteriorly. 

The  iiujlolujoid  posterior  is  composed  of  two  layers,  a 
deeper  and  a  more  superficial ;  the  latter  is  a  broad  sheet  of 
muscle  nearly  reaching  the  mylohyoid  anterior  in  front  and 


FIG.  61. — HYOIDEAN  MUSCLES  OF  Opistlwcomus  (AFTER  MITCHELL). 

1.  •_'.  geniciliyoid  :  3,  4,  5,  mylobyoid ;  6,  ceratoglossus  ;  7,  ceratohyoiil  :  8,  depressor 
inandilnilse  ;  Ol,  mamlibular  glaarl. 

covering  the  space  between  the  rami  of  the  mandible  in  the 
region  where  it  is  developed  ;  the  deeper  layer  arises  in 
common  with  the  superficial  layer  from  the  rami  ;  it  is  a 
narrower  muscle  and  runs  forward. 


110  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 

The  genioliyoid  is  in  two  distinct  portions  ;  the  posterior 
division  arises  on  each  side  from  a  ramus  of  the  mandible  ; 
it  passes  backwards  and  is  wrapped  round  the  ceratohyoid 
to  its  tip.  The  anterior  portion  also  arises  from  the  rami  of 
the  jaw ;  it  is  inserted  upon  the  ceratohyal  partly  under  and 
partly  distally  to  the  insertion  of  the  posterior  division. 
This  muscle  is  sometimes  a  single  muscle,  as,  for  example, 
in  Palamedea. 

The  genioglossus  (entirely  absent  in  Palamedea,  &c.)  is  a 
slight  muscle,  springs  from  the  middle  line  near  the  chin, 
and  passes  to  the  os  entoglossum. 

The  ceratoglossus  is  a  strong  muscle,  arises  from  the  outer 
side  of  the  ceratohyal ;  it  ends  in  a  tendon  which  is  inserted 
along  the  side  of  the  tongue  almost  to  the  tip.  The  muscle 
in  Palamedea,  &c.,  is  divided  into  two  parts. 

The  ceratohyoid  arises  from  the  inner  side  of  the  cerato- 
hyal and  is  inserted  on  to  the  urohyal. 

The  sternoJnjoid  (in  Palamedea)  is  a  band  of  muscle  which 
arises  from  the  basihyal  and  entoglossus  ;  it  spreads  out 
over  the  thyroid  cartilage  and  trachea. 

The  liypoglossals  are  in  Palamedea  indistinguishable  from 
the  ceratoglossus. 


Muscles  of  the  Head 

The  temporalis  (in  Palamedea)  is  divided  into  two 
portions ;  the  superficial  part  arises  from  the  whole  temporal 
fossa  and  from  the  external  and  internal  surfaces  of  the 
midtemporal  process  ;  it  runs  to  the  outer  upper  surface  of 
the  lower  jaw  ;  the  deeper  part  is  a  pyramidal  muscle  ending 
in  a  stout  tendon  attached  to  the  lower  jaw ;  in  addition  to 
this  another  portion,  deeper  still,  runs  across  from  the  forward 
process  of  the  quadrate  to  the  inner  side  of  the  ramus,  and 
a  wide  band  of  muscle  bridges  the  interval  between  the  inner 
edges  of  the  forward  process  of  the  quadrate  and  the  wall  of 
the  orbit  behind  the  optic  foramen. 

The  pterygoid  is  divided  into  several  layers  which  con- 
nect the  lower  jaw  with  the  palatines  and  pterygoids. 


MUSCLES   OF   THE    HEAD  111 

The  depressor  mandibiihc  consists  of  two  parts  which 
have  been  termed  digastric  and  hiventer.  It  connects  the 
under  surface  of  the  occiput  with  the  lower  jaw. 

Osteology ! 

Vertebral  Column. — Highly  characteristic  of  birds  is  the 
saddle-shaped  ('  heterocoelous  ')  form  of  the  vertebral  centra. 
The  existence  of  this  mode  of  articulation,  though  confined 
to  birds,  is  not  found  everywhere  and  in  all  of  the  existing 
members  of  the  order,  and  is  not  found  at  all  in  some  of  the 
extinct  forms,  Archceopteryx  and  Ichthyornis.  As  to  exist- 
ing birds,  the  opisthocoslous  form  is  frequently  met  with,  but 
so  irregularly  as  not  to  be  of  much  use  from  a  classificatory 
point  of  view.  The  existence  of  such  vertebrae,  pointing 
towards  reptiles,  may,  however,  be  accepted  as  some  indica- 
tion of  an  archaic  position  in  the  order.  The  matter  has 
been  lately  summed  up  by  the  late  Professor  PARKER,2  from 
his  own  investigations,  and  from  those  of  others. 

The  dorsal  vertebrae  have  been  found  to  be  opisthocoolous 
in  penguins  and  auks,  in  Limicolae  (including  Laridse),  but 
not  in  petrels  ;  among  the  parrots  PARKER  met  with  this 
condition  in  several  forms,  where  it  was  found  to  be  com- 
bined with  terminal  epiphyses,  a  character  which  is  just 
commencing  in  the  lowest  mammalia  (OniitJwrJtynchus)  and 

1  The  following  are  a  few  works  which  deal  with  the  general  osteology  of  a 
number  of  forms.  More  special  treatises  will  be  referred  to  in  their  proper  place : — 
E.    BLANCHARD,    '  Recherches    sur   les    Caracteres  Osteologiques  des  Oiseanx,' 
&c.,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  xi.  1860,  p.  11 ;  J.  F.  BRANDT,  '  Beitrage  zur  Kenntniss  der 
Naturgeschichte    d.   Vogel,'  &c.,    Mem.  Acacl.  Sci.  St.   Petersb.    (6),  iii.  1840  ; 
EYTON,    Osteologia    Aviuin,   London,    1858-81  ;    A.   B.    MEYER,    Abbilchtngen 
von  Vogelskeleten,  Dresden,  1879-96  ;  MILNE  EDWARDS  and  GRANDIDIER,  Hist. 
Nat.,  d~c.,  de  Madagascar,  '  Oiseanx,'  Paris,  1879-85  ;  C.  L.  NITZSCH,  Osteogra- 
jiltixclie  Beitriicje,  etc.,  Leipsic,  1811  ;  P.  GERVAIS,  'Description  Osteologique  de 
1'Hoazin,  du  Kamiehi,'  &c.,  Zool.  in  Voy.  de  Castdnau,  Paris,  1855.     Besides 
FURBBINGEH,  UntersucJiuiigcn  zur  Morphologic  r.  Syst.  d.   Vogel,  and  GADOW, 
4  Aves,'  in  Bronn's  Klasscnv.  Ordniingen  dcs  Thicrreichs,  for  brief  and  largely 
osteological  definitions  of  birds  see  SEEBOHM,  Classification  of  Birds,  London, 
1889,  and    SHARPE,   Osteological  Catalogue  of  College  of  Surgeons 
London,  1891. 

2  '  On  the  Vertebral  Chain  of  Birds,'  Proc.  Boy.  S<>c.  xliii.  1888,  p.  465. 


112  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

entirely  exceptional  among  birds.  Steatornis  is  another  bird 
with  opisthocoelous  vertebrae.  So  too  are  the  cormorants  and 
darters.  Another  form  of  vertebral  articulation  met  with 
in  reptiles — namely,  the  procoelous  articulation — also  exists 
in  birds.  In  all  birds,  of  course,  the  atlas  is  procoelous, 
articulating  with  the  convex  occipital  condyle.  In  many 
birds  '  the  last  two  movable  joints  in  the  caudal  series 
become  proccelous.' 

The  biconcave  form  of  vertebra?  characterises  the  extinct 
Archceopteryx,1  and  the  gull-like  Iclithyornis,  called  by  its 
name  on  this  very  account.  The  concavities,  however, 
according  to  FURBRINGER,  seem  rather  to  have  been  produced 
by  the  maceration  out  of  a  plug  of  cartilage  than  to  have 
characterised  the  unaltered  vertebra.  It  is  doubtful,  in  fact, 
whether  the  spaces  left  in  the  fossil  vertebrae  were  filled 
during  life  with  copious  remains  of  the  notochord,  as  in 
fishes. 

The  vertebral  column  of  birds  can  be  distinguished  into 
four  series,  as  in  the  higher  vertebrates  generally.  It  is 
customary  to  regard  as  cervical  those  vertebrae  which  either 
have  no  movable  ribs  or,  if  they  have,  do  not  become  con- 
nected through  their  intermediary  with  the  sternum.  The 
rib-bearing  vertebra  are  the  dorsal  series,  while  those  which 
articulate  with  the  pelvis  are  usually  termed  sacral.  But 
it  seems  better  to  reserve  the  term  '  sacral '  for  the  two 
vertebras  which,  in  the  chick,  bear  the  ilium. 

The  number  of  true  sacrals  is  not,  however,  always  two. 
J.  J.  PARKER2  describes  in  the  young  Apteryjc  three  vertebrae, 
which  abut  upon  the  ilium,  and  are  the  only  ones  in  which 
there  are  separate  rib-like  ossifications  at  the  ends  of  the 
transverse  processes.  These  vertebrae,  which  are  quite  con- 
spicuous in  the  adult  (fig.  62),  are  regarded  as  the  true 
sacrals.  There  are  also  three  in  the  ostrich  (fig.  63).  In 
other  birds  (e.g.  Larus,  Chioms)  there  is  apparently  only 
one  sacral  vertebra. 

Behind  the  sacrum  are  the  caudal  vertebrae.  Arclmo- 
pteryx  is  unique  among  birds  for  its  long  tail,  composed  of 

1  Not  certainly.       -  '  Development  of  Aptcryx,'  Phil.  Trans.  1891. 


OSTEOLOGY 


113 


separate  vertebra*.  In  all  other  birds  the  tail  is  short  and  does 
not  extend  far  beyond  the  sacrum.  In  the  majority  of  carinate 
birds  the  terminal  vertebrae  are  fused  together  into  the  highly 
characteristic  ploughshare  bone  (urostyle  or  pygostyle).1 


II 


FIG.  6'2.— PELVIS  OF  APTERYX.     FROM  BENEATH.     (AFTER  MIVART.) 
il,  ilium  ;  />,  pubis  ;  i,  ischium  ;  lp,  prepubie  process. 

There    is,    however,   a  closer    correspondence    between 
the    tail    of    Arcliaopteryx  and  that    of   the  carinate    bird 


FIG.  63.— LUMBAR  AND  SACRAL  VERTEBRAE  OF   AN  IMMATURE  OSTRICH 

(AFTEK  MIVART). 
8,  9,  in,  sacral  vertebras  ;  p,  parapophyses  ;  rf,  diapophyses. 

than  might  be  assumed  from  the  last-mentioned  differ- 
ences. The  first  four  caudal  vertebrae  of  Archceopteryx  have 
strong  transverse  processes,  which  are  weaker,  but  present, 
on  the  fifth,  which  thus  affords  a  transition  to  the  remaining 
sixteen,  upon  which  there  are  no  such  processes.  In  the 

1  W.  MARSHALL,  '  Untersuchungen  liber  den  Vogelschwanz,'  Ned.  Arch.  f. 
Zool.  i.  1873,  p.  l'J4. 


114         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

same  way  the  free  caudals  of  carinate  birds  have  transverse 
processes,  which  are   at  most  faintly  represented  upon  the 


fused  posterior  set  of   caudals  which    form  the  pygostyle. 
Four  of   the  posterior  caudals  of    Arcliceopteryx  have    fine 


OSTEOLOGY  115 

splints  of  bone  lying  on  one  side,  which  have  been  compared 
to  the  ossifications  in  tendons  found  among  the  ptero- 
dactyles.  They  may  conceivably  be  misplaced  chevron 
bones. 

The  pygostyle  varies  much  in  the  degree  of  its  develop- 
ment. It  is  weakest  in  various  aquatic  birds,  such  as  the 
auks  and  grebes,  where  it  is  thin  and  narrow ;  in  more 
purely  flying  birds  it  is  very  thick  at  the  base,  and  is  turned 
upwards  instead  of,  as  in  the  auks,  carrying  on  the  line  of 
the  tail.  In  the  grebe  there  is  really  no  more  definite  a 
ploughshare  bone  than  in  the  ostrich.  The  number  of 
vertebrae  which  are  fused  together  to  form  the  urostyle 
varies.  In  the  ostrich  MARSHALL  finds  four,  five  in  the 
grebe  and  hornbill,  six  in  the  duck  and  in  Eurylcemus. 

The  total  number  of  vertebrae  '   in  the   column    varies 
greatly;  the  extremes  are  something  like  thirty-nine  and  sixty- 
four  (reckoning  the  urostyle  as  one).     The  greatest  number 
characterises  the  ratites,  and  the  smallest  some  of  the  higher 
arboreal  birds.     Archceopteryx  had  only  about  fifty  vertebrae. 
While,  therefore,  it  may  be  generally  true  to  put  down  as 
older  types  those  with  the  largest  number  of  vertebrae,  it  is 
evident  that  on  this  view  ArchccopteryxTfm.^i  be  regarded  as 
a  parallel  branch   to  the  existing   birds,  and  not  as  their 
ancestor.     The  number  of  vertebrae,  though  it  may  perhaps 
be  considered  from  this  general  point  of  view,  is  not  of  the 
faintest  use  for  the  systematic  arrangement  of  existing  forms. 
The  number  varies  so  extremely  that  among  the  Gruidae 
Professor  PARKER  found  no  two  alike.     Rather  more  fixed, 
but  still  subject  to  variation  among  the  species  of  a  genus, 
are  the  cervical  vertebrae ;  and  some  account  will  be  taken 
in  the  pages  which  follow  of  this  fixedness.     The  results 
must,  however,  be  tempered  by  the  reflection  that  while  the 
common  swan  has  twenty-five    the  black-necked  swan  has 
twenty-four. 

Between   the  successive  centra  are    the  '  intervertebral 

1  GIEBEL  ('Die  Wirbelzahlen  am  Vogelskelet,'  Zcitschr.  f.  d.  ges.  Nat.  xviii. 
18GG,  p.  20)  gives  a  long  list ;  see  also  '  Der  letzte  Schwanzwh  bel  des 
Vogelskeletes,'  ibid.  vi.  1855. 

I  2 


116         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

discs,'  the  '  intercentra  '  or  '  basiveiitral '  elements.  These 
are,  as  has  been  shown,1  originally  the  portions  of  each 
vertebra  with  which  the  ribs  articulate,  from  which  they 
are  outgrowths.  But  as  the  ribs  come  to  articulate  with  the 
centra  these  structures  degenerate.  In  the  development  of 
Aptery.T  T.  J.  PARKER  found  a  postoccipital  and  a  post- 
atlantal  intercentrum,  and  two  in  the  caudal  region,  which 
ossify  so  as  to  retain  their  independence  in  the  adult 
skeleton. 

Intercentra  in  the  caudal  region  of  the  bird's  vertebral 
column  are  by  no  means  so  rare  as  might  be  inferred  from 

some  published  statements  upon 

"\       --sss^^Tv  ^ie  ma^ter.    They  are  especially 

conspicuous  among  the  Limi- 
colae  and  the  nearly  allied  auks, 
and  in  most  water  birds.  In 
Numenius  femoralis,  for  exam- 
ple, there  are  three  small  osseous 
nodules  lying  between  caudal 
j^'^^S&&&1*  vertebrae  1-5.  Behind  these 

FIG.  65.— LAST  Two  VERTEBRA  OF    are    a   series   of  hypapophyses, 

STKUTHIO  (ATTEK  MIVAI.T).  which     ^     &     contmuatlon     of 

us,  neural  spines  ;  rf,  osseous  bridge. 

the  same  series,  but  much  more 
pronounced  and  ankylosed  to  the  vertebrae. 

They  exist  also  in  the  duck  tribe.  In  Biziura  lobata 
there  are  three  distinct  intercentra  in  the  form  of  largish 
nodules.  I  have  found  intercentra  also  in  Palamedeae,  Tubi- 
nares,  Steganopodes,  Colymbi,  Herodiones,  Opistlwcomus. 

These  free  intercentra  are  rare  among  the  Pico-passeres, 
but  in  a  few  of  them  are  present.  Thus  in  Tcccus  there  is 
a  distinct  intercentrum  lying  between  the  last  free  caudal 
vertebrae. 

The  hawk  tribe  have  not  these  bonelets  as  distinct  struc- 
tures. 

In  the  cuckoos,  parrots,  Ralli,  Otides,  Columbae,  and  the 

1  This  matter  of  the  composition  of  the  vertebra  has  been  recently  gone  into 
by  G.VDOW  (on  the  'Evolution  of  the  Vertebral  Column  of  Amphibia  and  Amniota,' 
Phil.  Trans.  IH'.Mi,  p.  1),  who  quotes  previous  literature. 


OSTEOLOGY  117 

tinamous  I  have   not   seen  in  the  adult  skeleton  any  free 
intercentra ;  nor  in  the  Grues,  excepting  Chitnga. 

Further  details  on  this  matter  will  be  found  in  the  paper 
cited  below.1 

Though  free  intercentra  are  by  no  means  universal 
among  recent  birds,  hypophyses  of  the  last  caudals  are 
almost  so.  That  these  latter  are  derived  from  intercentra, 
and  are,  therefore,  not  comparable  to  the  hypapophyses  of  the 
cervicals  and  dorsals,  is  clear  from  such  cases  where  the  gra- 
dual transition  between  free  intercentra  and  fixed  hypapophy- 
ses is  shown.  In  reptiles  the  intercentra  are  in  the  tail  region 
constantly  in  the  form  of  chevron  bones,  which  are  V-shaped, 
articulating  with  the  vertebral  column  by  the  free  ends  of 
the  V.  This  form  of  the  hypophyses  of  the  caudal  region  is 
not  so  common  as  a  simply  bifid  condition,  but  does  oc- 
casionally occur.  I  have  seen  it,  for  example,  in  Tubinares, 
Accipitres,  and  Cuculi. 

The  first  vertebra  of  the  cervical  series  is  called  the 
atlas  (see  fig.  66)  ;  it  is  a  ring  on  bone,  of  which  the  greater 
part  of  the  '  centrum  '  is  formed  by  the  projecting  odontoid 
process  (see  fig.  67),  the  rest  being  formed  by  a  pair  of 
intercentra.  In  the  hornbills  the  atlas  is  fused  with  the 
following  axis  vertebra.2  Generally  the  atlas  has  not  what 
the  succeeding  vertebrae  have,  a  vertebrarterial  canal,  but 
this  is  sometimes  present  (see  under  '  Kibs,'  p.  119).  The 
odontoid  process  sometimes  notches  the  lower  part  of  the 
atlas,  and  sometimes  perforates  it.  These  two  conditions 
are  illustrated  by  figs.  66  and  68.  It  sometimes  happens  that 
the  neural  arch  of  the  atlas  is  incomplete,  e.g.  CJuuti/u, 
Colius,  Pandion.  As  a  rule  it  is  perfect. 

In  the  cervical  vertebrae  the  chief  facts  which  appear  to 
be  of  systematic  importance  are  the  relations  to  each  other 
of  the  paired  processes,  to  which  MIVART  has  applied  the 
name  of  catapophyses.  These  are  sometimes  inconspicu- 
ous processes  of  the  transverse  processes  on  the  under 
side.  Very  often  the  last  one  or  two  pairs  of  them  closely 

1  BEDDAED,  'Note  upon  Intercentra,'  &c.,  P.  Z.  S.  ls«i7,  p.  4>'<~>. 
-  In  a  specimen  of  Chunga  I  have  found  the  same  fusion. 


118         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


approach  each  other  in  the  middle  line,  as  in  Psophia. 
Sometimes  a  number  of  these  processes  unite  to  form  a 
canal  ;  this  occurs  in  the  Steganopodes,  and  most  Herodiones 
(but  not  in  Scopus  umbretta)  ;  but  the  classificatory  signifi- 
cance of  the  fact  is  marred  by  the  occurrence  of  a  similar 
canal  similarly  formed  in  some  Picida3,  and  in  the  case  of 
one  vertebra  in  the  parrot,  Eclectics  polychlorus. 

It  is  sometimes  the  case  that  the  last  of  the  catapophyses 
is  consolidated  into  a  thick  process,  which  is  bifid  at  the 
extremity  ;  this  process  forms  a  transition  to  the  following 
haemapophyses  (or  hypapophyses) .  These  latter  are  un- 


ns 


FIG.  66.— ATLAS  OF 
EMU  (AFTER 

MIVAKT). 

in',  articular  surface  ; 
•»,  vertebrarterial 
caual  ;  lip.  liyper- 
apophyses. 


FIG.  67. — Axis  OF  EMU  (AFTER 
MIVART). 

o,  odontoid  process  :  «.«,  neural  spine  ; 
«:,  anterior  zygapophyses ;  pi, 
pleural  lamella  ;  pc,  articular  sur- 
face ;  Aw.  hypapopliysis  :  lip,  kyper- 
apophysis. 


FIG.  68. — ATLAS  OF 
CASSOWARY  (AFTER 
MIVART).  LETTERS 
AS  m  FIG.  66. 


paired  median  processes,  which  commence  upon  the  cervical 
vertebrae,  and  extend  for  a  variable  distance  back  along  the 
dorsal  vertebrae.  They  are  very  feeble,  and  sometimes 
limited  to  the  cervical  region,  in  the  Herodiones.  They  are 
most  highly  developed  in  Sphenisci,  Colymbi,  Alcse,  and  some 
Anseres,  being  in  these  cases  continued  to  the  end  of  the 
dorsal  series,  and  even  being  found  upon  some  of  the  lumbar 
vertebrae.  In  many  cases  these  processes  are  flattened  out 
at  the  free  end  like  an  inverted  T,  or  are  trifid  at  the  same 
place.  This  is  seen  to  be  due  to  the  gradual  shifting  in 
position  of  a  posterior  set  of  catapophyses,  which  at  first  are 
at  the  sides  of,  and  far  from,  the  haemapophyses,  but 


OSTEOLOGY  119 

nearer  and  nearer,  until  at  length  they  mount  upon  the 
hsemapophysis  itself  and  pass  to  its  very  end.  Details  of  the 
formation  of  the  vertebra3  will  be  found  in  the  systematic 
part  of  this  book.1 

Ribs.'2 — The  ribs  of  birds  vary  greatly  in  number.  There 
are  as  a  rule  three  series  of  ribs  to  be  distinguished.  The 
last  cervical  vertebrae,  more  or  fewer  of  them,  are  furnished 
with  short  ribs  which  do  not  reach  the  sternum.  Behind 
these  are,  again,  a  variable  number  of  true  ribs,  which  do 
reach  and  articulate  with  the  sternum.  These  true  ribs 
consist  of  the  vertebral  portion,  which  articulates  with  the 
vertebra,  and  of  a  sternal  portion,  which  is  articulated  with 
the  vertebral  half  of  the  rib  above  and  with  the  sternum 
below;  it  is  bent  at  an  angle  with  the  vertebral  portion. 
Attached  to,  originally  separate  from,  and  sometimes  per- 
manently separate  from,  the  vertebral  half  of  the  rib  is  the 
uncinate  process,  of  which  there  are  a  variable  number. 
These  processes  are  absent3  in  Arcliceopteryx  and  in  the 
Palamedese  only.  Behind  the  true  ribs,  which  articulate 
with  the  sternum,  are  a  variable  number,  in  all  degrees  of 

1  The  relationship  of  the  so-called  catapophyses  to  the  unpaired  ha?mapo- 
physes  varies,  and  suggests — what  has  been  advanced  on  other  grounds— an 
occasional  excalation  of  vertebra?.  Without  wishing  to  commit  myself  to  a 
belief  in  the  actual  dropping  out  of  a  vertebra  from  the  middle  of  the  series,  I 
may  mention  some  of  the  facts  which  may  be  regarded  as  pointing  in  this 
direction.  In  the  grebe  sEchmophorus  the  catapophyses  form  on  certain 
vertebra  a  complete  ventral  canal  for  the  carotids.  The  summit  of  the  arch 
thus  formed  gradually  acquires  a  median  dorsal  process.  This  increases,  and 
the  catapophyses  finally  end  in  the  obliteration  of  the  canal  which  they  sur 
round,  and  a  solid  arch  is  formed  ;  the  hypapophysis  of  the  succeeding  vertebra 
is  single  and  no  longer  retains  traces  of  its  evolution  from  a  ring  of  bone  sur- 
mounted by  a  process.  In  other  cases  the  catapophyses  suddenly  end  and  the 
hypapophyses  begin  without  such  intermediate  stages.  An  intermediate  stage 
is  seen  in  certain  types  where  the  catapophyses  end  suddenly,  but  the  first 
hypapophysis  is  double,  either  formed  of  two  clearly  fused  pieces  or  with  merely 
a  bifid  spine.  These  latter  cases  suggest  the  dropping  out  of  one  or  more 
vertebra?,  effecting  the  transition  between  the  paired  catapophyses  and  the  un- 
paired hypapophyses. 

''  In  all  birds  except  Arcliceoptcryx  the  ribs  are  two-headed  with  a  capitulum 
and  tuberculum. 

3  They  have  been  often  said  to  be  absent  in  Dinornis,  but  they  are  not. 

W.  BEHREXS,  Untersuchuiigen  fiber  den  Proccssus  uncinatus  der  VHt/cl  nnd 
Crocodile,  Inaug.  Diss.,  Gottingen,  1880. 


120         STRUCTUEE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

degeneration,  of  floating  lumbar  ribs.  Morphologically 
equivalent  with  ribs  are  the  processes  firmly  ankylosed  to 
the  cervical  vertebrae,  which  form  a  canal  for  the  vertebral 
artery  ;  these  are,  as  a  rule,  absent  from  the  atlas,  but  are 
present  on  that  vertebra  in  the  Anseres,  Opisthocomus,1 
Triponax  Feddeni,  Dromccus'2  (fig.  66).  Arcliceopteryx  is 
alone  in  possessing  the  abdominal  ribs  of  the  crocodiles  and 
other  reptiles. 

The  Shoulder  Girdle.3 — The  shoulder  girdle  of  birds  consists 
of  at  any  rate  three  separate  elements — the  scapula  above  ; 
the  coracoid,  articulating  with  the  sternum  ;  and  the  clavicles, 
generally  united  into  a  U-shaped  piece.  Of  these  the  first 
two  are  preformed  in  cartilage,  the  last  in  membrane. 

The  scapula  is  a  thinnish  sword-shaped  bone  which 
is  attached  by  muscles  to  the  ribs  and  to  the  vertebrae, 
and  lies  in  a  direction,  as  a  rule,  nearly  parallel  to  the 
long  axis  of  the  body.  The  scapula  does  not  show  great 
variability  of  form  among  birds ;  the  most  considerable 
variation  is  to  be  seen  in  the  penguins,  where  the  bone  is, 
comparatively  speaking,  of  enormous  width.  A  free  supra- 
scapula  has  been  noted  by  PARKER  in  Opisthocomus.  The 
coracoids  articulate  on  the  one  hand  with  the  scapula,  and 
on  the  other  with  the  sternum,  where  they  are  received  into 
grooves  on  its  anterior  margin.  There  are  some  variations 
in  the  way  in  which  these  grooves  are  arranged  :  in  some 
birds  the  two  coracoids  at  their  insertion  are  not  in  contact 
at  all  ;  in  others  they  are  in  contact  ;  and  finally  they  may 
overlap,  as  in  reptiles. 

The  coracoid  has  in  many  birds  a  procoracoid  process, 
which  is  believed  to  be  the  equivalent  of  the  procoracoid  of 
reptiles.  This  is  especially  prominent  in  the  ostrich,  but  is 
present  in  a  large  number  of  other  birds,  though  more 
reduced  in  extent.  But  its  large  or  small  size  is  so  capricious 


Stated  by  PAEKEE  to  be  absent. 

•  MIVAET  figures  a  canal  on  one  side  of  the  atlas  of  the  ostrich. 

'•'  A.  SABATIEE,  Comparaison  des  Ceintiircs  ct  dcs  Membres  Ant&rieurs  ct 
Postcrlcurs  dans  la  Seric  dcs  Verti'bres,  Montpellier,  1880  ;  PARKEB,  quoted 
below.  See  also  LUHDEE  in  J.  f.  O.  1871,  p.  321. 


OSTEOLOGY  121 

in  its  relations  to  other  structural  similarities  and  dissimilari- 
ties that  the  fact  is  not  of  great  use  in  classification. 

The  same  remark  may  be  made  about  the  foramen  coni- 
coidcum  perhaps,  which,  again,  is  found  in  many  birds  and 
absent  from  others.  As  to  the  morphological  significance  of 
this  foramen,  which  transmits  a  nerve  twig  to  the  pectoralis 
secundus,  it  may  perhaps  be  regarded  as  the  boundary 
between  the  coracoid  and  the  procoracoid. 

In  the  course  of  the  development  of  the  common  fowl, 
according  to  Miss  LINDSAY,  whose  figures  are  here  reproduced, 
there  is  a  very  considerable  trace  of  the  procoracoid.  The 
three  elements  of  the  shoulder  girdle  are  perfectly  distinct 
from  each  other  in  the  young  embryo,  but  become  fused  (the 
scapula  and  the  coracoid),  again  to  get  separate  in  the  older 
chick.  This  temporary  fusion  may  be  significant  of  the 
struthionic  condition  to  be  described  later.  The  intermediate 
piece  is,  it  will  be  noticed,  triangular  in  form,  the  elongated 
aspect  of  the  adult  coracoid  being  acquired  later.  Miss 
LINDSAY  is  of  opinion  that  this  change  of  form  is  to  be  cor- 
related with  the  disappearance  of  the  anterior  section  of  the 
bone,  as  indicated  in  the  accompanying  diagram,  the  disap- 
pearing (shaded)  part  being  the  equivalent  of  the  procora- 
coid. 

The  interrelationship  of  the  scapula  to  the  coracoid  offers 
facts  of  some  importance.  In  the  ostrich  tribe  the  two  bones 
are  firmly  ankylosed ;  this  is  not  the  case  with  the  young, 
but  it  is  plainly  the  case  with  the  adult.  In  carinate  birds, 
on  the  other  hand,  there  is  not  ankylosis,  but  a  close  union 
by  means  of  fibro-cartilage.  It  appears,  however,  that  in 
Didus  (exceptionally  '?)  there  is  an  actual  synostosis,  which  of 
course  bears  out  the  suggestion  that  the  synostosis  of  the 
ratite  birds  has  something  to  do  with  their  loss  of  the  power 
of  flight.  In  the  ratite  birds  and  in  Hesperornis  the  scapula 
and  the  coracoid  are  nearly  in  the  same  straight  line,  the 
angle  in  Aptenjx  varying  from  150°  to  122°,  whereas  in  the 
carinates  the  two  bones  are  at  right  angles  or  at  an  even 
acute  angle.  That  this  is  not  a  morphological  distinction, 
but  is  distinctly  related  to  the  development  of  the  shoulder 


122 


STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


muscles,  has  been  clearly  pointed  out  by  T.  J.  PAEKEE.'  He 
discovered  an  approximation  to  the  struthious  condition  in 
several  of  the  flightless  rails  and  other  birds.  But  the  state 
of  affairs  which  characterises  the  Tubinares  warns  us  against 
placing  too  much  reliance  upon  this  apparently  sound  gene- 
ralisation ;  for  in  them  we  are  informed  by  FOEBES  that 
'  the  angle  it '  (the  scapula)  '  forms  with  the  coracoid  varies 
much  in  different  genera,  being  most  acute  in  Pelecanoides, 
whilst  in  the  Oceanitidge  it  is  hardly  if  at  all  less  than  a  right 


pc 


7JC. 


FIG.  69. — DEVELOPMENT  OF  SHOULDER  GIRDLE  OF  CHICK  (AFTER  LINDSAY). 

i1/,  clavicle  ;  j>c,  procoracoid  ;  cor,  coracoid  ;  sc,  scapula.     1-3,  fifth  day  ;  4,  sixth  day  ; 

5,  late  on  sixth  day. 

angle.'  The  widest  angle  in  a  carinate  bird  is  106°,  so  there 
is  a  difference  of  only  16°  between  extremes  of  carinates  and 
ratites. 

The  two  clavicles  -  sometimes  spoken  of  collectively  as 
the  furcula  vary  much  in  their  degree  of  development.  They 
are  totally  absent  in  the  Apteryx.  In  the  emu  and  in  certain 
parrots  they  are  distinct  and  smallish  bones  which  do  not 
come  into  contact  with  each  other  ;  but  in  the  majority  of 
birds  they  form  a  single  U-  or  V-shaped  bone. 

The  furcula  varies  in  the  expansion  or  non-expansion  of 
the  base  to  form  a  circular  hypocleidium.  In  some  birds  the 

1  '  On  Notornis,'  in  Tr.  N.  Zealand  Inst.  xiv.  1882. 

-  A.  WEITZEL,  '  Die  Furcula  :  eiu  Beitrag  zur  Osteologie  cler  Vogel,'  Ze-itsrlti-. 
f.  d.  ges.  Naturw.  xxv.  1865,  p.  317. 


OSTEOLOGY 

furcula  is  connected  with  a  ligament  (e.g.  Psophia)  by  articu- 
lation (e.g.  Herodiones)  or  by  direct  synostosis  with  the  carina 
sterni.  In  the  gallinaceous  birds  the  furcula  does  not  come 
into  near  relations  with  the  carina,  and  in  Opisthocomus— 
quite  exceptionally — the  bone  is  ankylosed  with  the  spina 
sterni  on  the  one  hand,  and  with  the  coracoids,  so  firmly 
that  '  no  trace  of  the  primitive  distinctness  of  the  bones  is 
discernible.'  There  are  also  considerable  variations  in  the 
degree  of  the  connection  between  the  furcula  and  the  coracoid 
and  scapula. 

In  a  few  birds  the  ends  of  the  clavicles  where  they  arti- 
culate, or  at  least  are  connected,  with  the  coracoid  and  scapula 
have  a  process,  the  acrocoracoid  process  of  the  clavicle.  This 
is  seen,  for  instance,  in  the  Anseres,  and  the  rudiment  of  such 
a  process  in  the  flamingo  appears  at  first  sight  to  be  a  duck- 
like  character  in  that  bird.  But  the  same  process  is  also 
developed,  and  to  a  great  extent,  in  the  Alcedmidae,  a  fact 
which  must  be  borne  in  mind  before  coming  to  any  such 
conclusions. 

FURBRINGER  has  devoted  some  space  to  describing  and 
illustrating  the  relations  at  their  articulations  between  the 
clavicle,  coracoid,  and  acrocoracoid.  The  two  extremes  may 
be  seen  in  Phahicrocorax  and  Psophia  ;  in  the  former  the 
clavicle  articulates  with  the  acrocoracoid  only,  and  does  not 
reach  the  scapula  ;  in  the  latter,  where  the  procoracoid  is 
well  developed,  the  clavicle  comes  into  contact  with  all 
three.1  Further  details  will  be  found  under  the  description 
of  the  different  groups. 

The  Fore  Limb. — The  fore  limb  is  present  in  all  birds  except 
most  Dinornithidae,  where  up  to  the  present  no  trace  of  one 
has  been  discovered.  In  Hesperornis  only  the  humerus 
appears  to  exist  ;  in  Apteryx,  Dromaus,  and  Casuarius  there 
is  but  one  finger.  With  these  exceptions  the  wing  of  birds 
consists  of  a  humerus,  radius  and  ulna,  carpus,  metacarpals, 
and  three  fingers  (with  sometimes  a  rudiment  of  a  fourth) ; 
even  Archaopteryx  has  not  been  definitely  shown  to  possess 

1  A.  TSCHAX,  Recherchcs  sur  VExtr&mitf  AnUrienre  dcs  Oiseaux  et  des 
Reptiles,  Diss.  Inaug.,  Geneva,  1889. 


124         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

more  than  the  typical  three  fingers  (see,  however,  below). 
The  relative  length  of  the  arm  varies  much  in  birds  ;  it  is 
longest  in  the  flying  gulls,  terns,  £c.,  whence  the  name 
applied  to  the  former  of  Longipennes.  In  the  struthious 
birds  it  is  the  shortest,  and  in  many  running  birds  the  wing 
is  reduced  in  length.  There  is  too  variation  in  the  relative 
lengths  of  the  humerus,  fore  arm,  and  hand.  In  the  divers, 
for  instance,  the  upper  section  of  the  arm  is  the  longest,  in  the 
gulls  the  fore  arm,  and  in  the  penguins  the  hand.  The 
length  of  the  hand  in  the  Macrochires  is  so  great  that  it 
equals  that  of  the  humerus  and  fore  arm  together.  The 
exact  reverse  is  seen  in  the  ratites,  where  the  length  of  the 
humerus  is  greater  than  that  of  the  rest  of  the  wing.  PYE- 
CR.AFT  has  brought  out  the  interesting  fact  that  during  the 
growth  of  Opisthocomus  the  proportions  of  the  different  sec- 
tions of  the  wying  alter. 

A  study  of  the  relative  lengths  of  the  different  parts  of 
the  arm  shows  that  a  reduction  of  the  wing,  and  a  consequent 
decay  of  its  powers  as  an  organ  of  flight,  do  not  invariably 
follow  the  same  path.  In  the  ostrich  the  middle  segment  is 
the  shortest,  in  the  cassowary  the  hand. 

The  length  of  the  humerus,  the  exact  form  and  degree  of 
development  of  the  deltoid  ridge,  and  of  the  tubercles  for 
the  insertion  of  muscles,  furnish  systematists  with  reliable 
points  for  the  identification  of  genera  and  species.  So  much 
of  our  knowledge  of  extinct  birds  depends  upon  fragments  of 
this  and  others  of  the  '  long '  bones  that  the  value  of  slight 
characters  of  this  description  has  been  thoroughly  appraised. 
A  glance,  for  instance,  at  LYDEKKER'S  recently  published 
'  Catalogue  of  the  Fossil  Birds  in  the  British  Museum  '  will 
reveal  the  importance  of  the  power  of  discriminating  species 
by  such  slight  indications,  which  furnish  the  student  of 
affinities  between  families  or  genera  with  nothing  tangible. 

The  radius  and  the  ulna  are  always  separate  bones,  of 
which  the  ulna  is  the  longer ;  it  is  frequently  marked  on  its 
outer  surface  with  tubercles,  to  which  the  quill  feathers 
are  attached.  The  most  striking  modification  of  the  radius 
is  seen  in  the  Parridse  (fig.  70,  p.  125),  where  it  is  prolonged 


OSTEOLOGY 


1  I'O 


on  the  outer  side  into  a  strong  flat  process,  the  upper  surface 
of  which  is  slightly  grooved  for  the  reception  of  the  tendon 
of  the  extensor  metacarpi  radialis  muscle. 

The  carpus  of  recent  birds  consists  only  of  two  separate 
bones.  But  in  the  embryo  there  are  six  separate  cartilages. 
The  two  bones  which  persist  are  looked  upon  by  ZEHNTNER 
as  ulnare  +  intermedium  and  radiale  +  centrale.  The  three 
distal  carpals,  according  to  PAEKER,  fuse  with  their  three 
metacarpals.  In  the  emu,  according  to  PARKER,  there  are 
no  carpal  elements  either  in  the  young  or  adult,  in  Casuarius 
galeatux  there  is  a  small  ulnare. 

Though  no  bird  has  more  than  three  more  or  less  com- 


Fir;.  70. — RADIUS  AND  ULNA  or  Metopidiits  (AFTER  FORBES). 

plete  digits,  there  is  commonly  a  trace  of  a  fourth  meta- 
carpal,  found  by  ZEHXTXER  in  the  development  of  the  swift, 
and  by  STUDER  in  the  development  of  the  penguin.  PARKER 
was  convinced  of  the  existence  of  a  prepollex  and  of  inter- 
calary digits,  but  WIEDERSHEIM  looks  with  no  favour  upon 
this  broadening  of  the  hand. 

The  metacarpals  are  free  only  in  Archceopteryx  and 
Gastornis  ;  in  all  other  birds  they  are  partially  fused.  The 
formula  for  the  phalanges  in  Arcliceopteryx  is  I.  2,  II.  3, 
III.  4.  In  some  other  birds  it  is  I.  1,  II.  2,  III.  1,  with  the 
exception  of  the  ostrich,1  Numenius,  and  the  embryo  duck,'2 
where  digit  III.  has  a  small  additional  phalanx.  In  other- 
birds  the  formula  is  I.  2,  II.  3,  III.  1,  and  in  the  apteryx 
digit  II.  shows  three  phalanges  in  the  course  of  its  develop- 


1  PARKER,  '  On  the  Structure  and  Development  of  the  Wing  in  the  Common 
Fowl,'  Phil.  Trans.  1888,  p.  385,  where  previous  literature  is  quoted. 

2  BAUR,  Science,  vol.  v.  p.  355. 


126         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

ment,   of  which   one    (apparently  the  middle    one)    is    not 
recognisable  in  the  adult. 

LEIGHTOX  has  contributed  to  this  question  with  a  study 
of  the  development  of  the  wing  of  Sterna.1  He  finds  here 
too  a  rudimentary  fourth  digit,  which  in  the  first  stage, 
which  he  figures,  is  as  long  or  nearly  as  long  as  the  first 
digit.  A  rudimentary  metacarpal  even  persists  attached  to 
the  side  of  the  last  metacarpal  in  birds  just  before  hatching. 
In  the  carpus  there  are  never  more  than  four  distinct 
cartilages  ;  there  are  in  the  first  place  a  radiale  and  ulnare, 


Fio.  71.  —  DK;ITS  OF  OSTRICH  (AFTEK  WRAY). 

1,  phalanx  1  (/'/<!)  arid  rudimentary  phalanx  2  (7V<2)  of  digit  III. ;  c,  connective  tissue. 
2,  another  specimen  with  phalanges  ankylosed.  3,  distal  part  of  digit  III.  of 
embryonic  manus  (4). 

and  distally  two  cartilages,  of  which  one  appears  to  represent 
the  combined  distalia  of  the  two  first  digits,  and  the  second 
that  of  the  third  digit.  In  birds,  just  before  hatching,  all 
the  distalia  have  fused  into  one  mass.  The  cartilages 
lettered  respectively  radiale  and  ulnare  in  the  figures  are 
thought,  however,  by  the  author  to  be  really  radiale  + 
intermedium  and  ulnare  +  centrale  ;  and  in  support  of  this 
view  is  the  partial  separation  between  the  two  supposed 
elements  of  each,  which  is,  however,  never  carried  very 
far. 

As  to  the  homologies  of  the  digits  in  the  adult  with  those 

1   '  The  Development  of  the  Wing  of  Sterna  Wilsonii,'    Tufts  Coll.  Studies, 
1894.     Previous  literature  is  here  quoted. 


OSTEOLOGY  li'7 

of  the  reptilian  hand,  LEIGHTON  leans  to  the  view  that 
the  supposed  pollex  is  really  the  index.  In  putting  forward 
this  opinion  he  rests  first  of  all  upon  the  fact  that  the  radial 
artery  is  absent,  thus  indicating  a  reduction  of  the  radial 
side  of  the  hand  ;  the  second  argument  is  derived  from  the 
fact  that  in  animals  with  a  reduced  manus  the  first  digit 
is  the  first  to  go,  and  then  is  followed  by  the  last  ;  thus  in 
Orohi/>p/tK  there  are  four  digits,  the  first  having  disappeared, 
while  in  Protoliippus  the  fifth  has  vanished.  In  addition 
this  view  is  moreover  strengthened  by  a  consideration  of  the 
most  reduced  manus  that  occurs  in  birds ;  in  Apteryx  and 
Casuarius  the  reduction  has  similarly  occurred  on  both  sides 
of  the  large  persisting  digit,  which  is  thus  to  be  regarded  as 
No.  III. 

Sternum. — The  sternum  in  its  most  complicated  condition 
consists  of  the  following  regions  (see  fig.  72)  :  Anteriorly 
it  ends  in  a  moderately  narrow  extremity  which  is  known 
as  the  manubrium  sterni  or  rostrum.  On  either  side  of  this 
is  a  forwardly  directed  process,  the  costal  processes  or 
(interior  lateral  processes.  In  the  middle  of  the  sternum, 
and  forming  the  great  projecting  keel,  is  the  lophosteon  or 
carina  sterni,  or  keel.  The  sternum  ends  in  a  median 
process  behind  (sometimes,  but  wrongly,  called  the  xiphoid 
process),  to  which  are  appended  two  processes  on  each  side, 
which  may  be  termed  middle  and  external  xiphoid  processes, 
or  these  may  be  termed,  for  reasons  which  will  appear  later, 
the  posterior  lateral  process  and  the  accessory  process.  The 
nomenclature  first  used  in  the  preceding  brief  descriptions 
is  that  of  HUXLEY  ;  the  second  set  of  terms  which  will  be 
used  throughout  in  the  descriptions  which  follow  are  those 
used  by  Miss  LINDSAY  in  her  paper  upon  the  development 
of  the  avian  sternum.1 

The  sternum  is  subject  to  much  modification  among 
birds,  of  which  the  principal  varieties  will  be  now  described. 
The  birds  which  show  perhaps  the  greatest  difference  from 
the  gallinaceous  type,  selected  for  the  above  description,  are 
the  ratite  birds.  In  them  there  is  no  keel  developed,  hence 

1  '  On  the  Avian  Sternum,'  P.  Z.  S.  1885,  p.  684. 


128         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


the  name  ratite  (raft-like),  or  at  most,  as  in  Eliea,  a  slight 
protuberance,  which,  however,  as  will  be  pointed  out  imme- 
diately, is  not  really  comparable  to  the  keel  of  the  carinate 
birds.  There  are,  however,  other  birds,  such  as  the  extinct 
Cnemiornis  and  the  living 
Stringops,  in  which  the 
keel  is  absent,  its  ab- 
sence being  associated 
with  the  loss  of  the 


ts.OC 


•m.x 


FIG.     72 — STERNUM     OF      Loplio- 
pliorus  impeyanus  (AFTER  HUXLEY). 

x,  rostrum  ;  cj>,  anterior  lateral  process ; 
ji.t.n,  posterior  lateral  process ;  e..i;  /'../•, 
its  inner  and  outer  divisions  ;  l.o.  cariua. 


FIG.     73. — STERNUM      OF     Podica 
senegalensis  (AFTEK  BEDDABD). 

cl,  clavicle  ;  co,-coracoid  ;  cl,  x,  articula- 
tion of  clavicle. 


power  of  flight.  In  the  singular  Opistliocomus  the  anterior 
part  of  the  keel  is,  as  it  were,  cut  away  (the  enormous  crop 
resting  here),  the  posterior  region  being  retained.  The  four 
posterior  lateral  processes  of  the  sternum  figured  above  are 
not  always  present  in  birds.  The  extremest  modification 
is  as  seen  in  the  goose  and  the  crane,  where  the  posterior 


OSTEOLOGY  129 

margin  of  the  bone  is  entire,  without  any  processes  at  all. 
In  passerine  birds  generally,  and  in  some  others  also,  there 
is  but  a  single  pair  of  these  processes  ;  while,  finally,  by 
excessive  growth  of  the  parts  concerned  the  processes  have 
joined  and  converted  the  notches  into  foramina.  The  con- 
verse course  of  events  has  been  suggested — i.e.  that  deficient 
ossification  leads  to  the  fenestrated  condition,  whence  to 
the  posterior  notches  is  an  easy  step.  Development,  how- 
ever, shows  that  the  former  view  is  the  more  correct.  The 
diversities  in  the  form  of  the  sternum  undoubtedly  must 


ca 


mr 

FIG.  74. — STERNUM  OF  EMU  (AFTEK  MIVART).     ^  NATURAL  SIZE. 

crt,  anterior  lateral  process ;  c,  grooves  for  eoracoids ;  /,  elevation  in  centre  ;  ?«.r,  posterior 
end  ;  w,  lateral  view  showing  articulation  of  rilis. 

have  some  relation  to  the  muscles  which  are  inserted  on  to 
and  take  their  rise  from  the  margins  of  the  bone.  Thus,  as 
already  mentioned,  the  flat  sternum  of  the  Ratitse  is  associated 
with  the  slight  development  of  the  pectorales  muscles  and 
the  consequent  loss  of  capacity  for  flight.  It  has  been 
ingeniously  suggested  that  the  relative  development  of  the 
posterior  lateral  processes  of  the  sternum  has  possibly  an 
analogous  explanation.  The  muscles  that  are  attached 
thereto  are  mainly  the  pectorals  and  the  abdominals.  Nowr 
the  pull  of  these  two  is  in  an  opposite  direction.  The 
tendency  of  the  action  of  the  pectorals  would  be  to 

Iv 


130         STEUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

straighten  the  posterior  margin  of  the  sternum,  while 
that  of  the  abdominals  would  he  to  pull  it  out.  perhaps 
irregularly.  Hopping  and  walking  birds  might  therefore 
be  expected  to  have  a  more  notched  sternum  than  purely 
flying  -birds  ;  that  there  is  some  relation  of  this  kind  seems 
possible  when  wre  contrast  the  sternum  of  the  running 
gallinaceous  bird  with  that  of  the  essentially  aerial  eagle. 
Moreover,  since  the  pull  of  the  abdominal  muscles  is  in  two 
directions,  one  antero-posterior  (recti),  the  other  oblique  (the 
obliqui),  we  might  expect  to  find  what  we  actually  do  find,  a 
direction  of  the  xiphoid  processes  which  corresponds  with 
the  resultant  of  these  two  forces,  as  is  indicated  in  the 
annexed  diagram.  There  are  a  few  other  modifications  in 
the  shape  of  the  sternum  which  have  been  made  use  of  for 
systematic  purposes,  besides  the  keel  and  the  notches,  or 
excavations  of  the  posterior  border.  The  rostrum  of  the 
bone  is  sometimes  very  pronounced,  and  sometimes  practi- 
cally absent  altogether.  According  to  its  position,  more 
dorsally  or  more  ventrally,  the  process  has  been  called  by 
FURBRINGER  spina  externa,  or  spina  interim  sterni.  In 
the  gallinaceous  birds  the  two  are  combined  in  a  vertically 
compressed  plate  of  bone  which  arises  both  from  the  lower 
and  from  the  upper  side  of  the  sternum.  In  the  passerines 
and  in  the  todies,  and  a  few  of  the  allies  of  these  groups  of 
birds,  the  anterior  process  of  the  sternum  is  more  or  less 
distinctly  bifurcate. 

The  sternum  of  birds  arises,  as  does  that  of  other  verte- 
brates, in  the  first  place  between  the  ends  of  the  ribs  which 
fuse  together.  Birds  invariably  have  a  few  '  floating '  ribs 
at  both  ends  of  the  sternum  which  are  no  longer  connected 
with  it,  this  connection  being  often  lost  ontogenetically. 
There  is,  in  fact,  usually  a  shortening  of  the  sternum  during 
development.  The  keel  arises  from  the  conjoined  edges  of 
the  two  sets  of  fused  ribs ;  it  is  not  preformed  separately  as 
a  median  piece.  This  seems  to  settle  in  the  negative  an 
earlier  view  that  the  carina  sterni  was  the  surviving  repre- 
sentative of  the  interclavicle  of  the  reptiles,  a  view  which 
commended  itself  to  more  than  one  anatomist  of  distinction, 


OSTEOLOGY  131 

and  appeared  to  be  strengthened  by  the  occasional  connec- 
tion by  ligament  and  bone  with  the  hypocleidium. 

The  most  recent  modification  of  this  view  is  put  forward 
by  PARKER,  who  has  shown  in  Opisthocomus  a  needle-shaped 
splint  of  bone  lying  upon  the  keel,  and  therefore  independent 
of  it. 

The.  development  of  the  sternum  throws  a  light  upon  the 
homologies  of  its  different  parts  in  different  birds,  and  in 
other  vertebrates. 

It  is  plain  in  the  first  place  that  the  spina  externa  and 
the  spina  interna  have  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  the 
manubrium  sterni  of  the  mammal ;  for  they  are  (in  the  bird) 
secondary  outgrowths,  and  not,  as  in  the  mammal,  part  of  the 
primitive  sternum  formed  by  concrescence  of  the  ribs.  The 
same  holds  good  of  the  posterior  median  region  of  the  bone, 
which  is  a  secondary  outgrowth,  and  can  therefore  have  no 
relations  with  the  xiphoid  process  of  the  mammalian  ster- 
num ;  what  does  correspond  to  the  latter  are  the  posterior 
lateral  processes  of  the  avian  sternum.1 

Pelvis.2 — The  pelvis  consists  of  three  pairs  of  bones,  the 
ilium,  ischium,  and  pubis.  In  the  young  embryo  these 
bones  form  a  continuous  sheet  of  cartilage,  but  are  all 
separate  distally  ;  the  ilium  is  directed  in  an  antero-posterior 

1  The  literature  of  the  sternum  is  large,  and  is  to  a  considerable  extent  to  be 
found  under  the  several  groups.  Memoirs  of  a  wider  scope  are  W.  K.  PARKER, 
'  A  Monograph  on  the  Structure  and  Development  of  the  Shoulder  Girdle  and 
Sternum  in  the  Vertebrata,'  Ruy  Soc.  Publications,  1868 ;  L'HERMINIEK, 
'  Recherches  sur  la  Marche  d'Ossifications,'  &c.,  M&m.  Ac.  Sci.  1830.  The 
history  of  the  development  of  knowledge  concerning  the  ossification  of  the 
sternum  and  the  classificatory  results  therefrom  is  treated  by  NEWTON  in  Diet. 
Birds, '  Introduction.'  Miss  LINDSAY'S  paper,  already  quoted,  contains  references 
to  the  chief  memoirs  upon  the  subject.  See  also  li.  DIECK,  DC  Sterno  Avium, 
Diss.  Inaug.,  Hal»,  1867. 

'-'  C.  GEGENBAUR,  '  Beitrage  z.  Kenntniss  des  Beckens  der  Vogel,'  Jen. 
Zi'itsclir.  vi.  p.  157  ;  MEHNERT,  '  Untersuchungen  liber  die  Entwicklung  des 
Os  pelvis  d.  Vogel,'  Morph.  J.B.  xiii.  1888,  p.  259 ;  A.  JOHNSON,  '  On  the 
Development  of  the  Pelvis  Girdle,  etc.,  in  the  Chick,'  Quart.  J.  Micr.  Sci.  1883, 
p.  399  ;  B.  HAIJ,  Jemfiii-ande  Stxdicr  ofvcr  Foglarncs  Backen,  Lund,  1887,  and 
'  Morphologisk  Byggnoden  af  Ilium,'  &c.,  Act.  Lund.  Univ.  xxii.  1887,  p.  1 
G.  BAUR,  '  Bemerkungen  liber  das  Becken  d.  Vogel  v.  Dinosaurier,'  Morph.  J.B. 
x.  1885,  p.  613  ;  A.  BUNGE,  Untersiichnngeti  zur  Entwicklungsgeschichtc  des 
Beckcngiirtcls,  &c.,  Diss.  Inaug.,  Dorpat,  1880. 

K  2 


132         STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

direction  ;  the  ischium  and  the  pnbis  look  downwards  and 
slightly  backwards  ;  at  the  end  of  the  pubis,  near  to  where 
it  comes  into  contact  with  the  iliac  portion  of  the  cartilage, 
is  a  forwardly  directed  process,  the  prepubic  process.  This 
primitive  state  of  affairs  has  been  most  nearly  preserved  in 
Apteryx  and  Dinornis ;  in  these  birds  the  pubis  and  ischium 
are  free  from  each  other  distally  and  from  the  ilium  ;  their 
direction  is,  however,  more  backwards  than  in  the  embryo, 
and  the  prepubic  process  is  relatively  smaller.  In  all  other 
birds  the  pubis  and  the  ischium  lie  in  a  line  more  parallel 


FIG.  75 — PELVIS  OF  DINOKXIS  (AFTER  MIVAKT).     J  NATURAL  SIZE. 
U,  ilium  ;  p,  pubis  ;  ps,  interobturator  process  ;  lp,  pectiueal  process. 

with  the  ilium,  and  there  is  a  greater  or  less  connection 
between  the  several  bones.  This  is  seen  in  a  less  developed 
condition  in  the  struthious  birds  and  tinamous  than  in  any 
others.  In  the  tinamous,  in  fact,  the  pubis  and  ischium  are 
quite  free  from  each  other  distally,  and  from  the  ilium.  In 
the  ostrich  the  pubes  unite  in  a  ventral  symphysis ;  in  Ehea 
there  is  a  remarkable  modification  induced  by  the  meeting 
of  the  ischia.  The  details  of  the  struthious  pelvis  will  be 
found  described  under  the  description  of  that  group.  In 
carinate  birds  the  ischium  is  for  the  greater  part  of  its  extent 
fused  with  the  ilium,  a  foramen  only — the  ischiadic  foramen 
-being  left  anteriorly.  The  pubes  join  to  a  less  extent  with 
the  ischia,  and  are  sometimes  (e.g.  Colymbus)  quite  free 


OSTEOLOGY  133 

from  them.  The  prepubic  or  pectineal  process  is  large  in 
the  strathious  birds,  in  the  tinamous,  and  in  a  few  carinates, 
such  as  Geococcyx.  It  has  received  much  attention  as  the 
possible  equivalent  of  the  reptilian  pubis,  the  bird's  so-called 
pubis  being  in  that  case  the  homologue  of  the  posterior  pubic 
process  of  the  reptile.  The  dinosaurians  seemed  at  one  time 
to  have  been  the  means  of  solving  the  questions  involved  ; 
for  in  some  of  them  there  is  a  backwardly  directed  pubis, 
not  quite  so  bent  as  in  the  bird,  from  the  anterior  and  upper 
end  of  which  a  stout  bone,  considered  to  be  the  homologue 
of  the  pectineal  process,  is  directed  forwards.  This  latter, 
however,  is  clearly  a  part  of  the  pubis,  while  the  pectineal 
process  is  at  least  not  always  a  product  of  the  pubis,  being 
sometimes  purely  iliac  in  origin,  sometimes  partly  pubic  and 
partly  iliac.  It  may  be  that  the  missing  prepubic  process  of 
the  dinosaurian  pelvis  is  represented  by  the  remarkable 
bones  ankylosed  to  the  ostrich's  pelvis  anteriorly,  and  con- 
tinued forwards  by  a  cartilaginous  tract,  which  were  dis- 
covered by  DARWIN  and  GARROD.  This  will  reduce  the 
pectineal  process  to  the  level  of  a  mere  projection  of  the 
pelvis  of  no  particular  significance  save  as  a  secure  hold  for 
the  important  ambiens  muscle  which  is  there  attached.  In 
any  case  it  is  safe  to  assert  that  wherever  that  process  is  pre- 
sent and  long  the  ambiens  is  also  present  and  well  developed. 

Among  carinate  birds  the  pelvis  does  not  show  a  great 
variability  of  form.  The  pelvis  is  either  broader  or  narrower, 
being  excessively  narrow  in  the  Colymbi.  The  proportions 
of  the  preacetabular  and  the  postacetabular  regions  also 
differ,  as  do  their  relative  breadths. 

It  is  noteworthy  that  the  pubis  is  sometimes  defective  in 
the  middle,  appearing  then  to  consist  of  a  proximal  and 
distal  portion  unconnected  in  the  dry  skeleton.  The  fact 
also  that  but  few  muscles  arise  from  the  pubis  seems  to  show 
that  it  is  in  a  condition  of  degeneration. 

In  ArcJiCBOpteryx  alone  are  the  elements  of  the  pelvis 
not  ankylosed  together. 

The  acetabulum  of  all  birds   except  Dromccus  is  perfo- 


134         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

rated  ;  but  the  perforation  is  reduced  in  size  in  Geococcyx, 
Tinamus,  and  Hesperornis. 

Hind  Limb. — The  hind  limb  of  birds  consists  of  femur, 
tibia  and  fibula,  tarsus,  metatarsus,  and  phalanges. 

In  all  birds  the  femur  is  shorter  than  the  tibia,  the  pro- 
portions varying  much.  It  seerns  impossible  to  place  those 
birds  in  which  the  difference  is  least  at  the  base  of  the  series, 
on  account,  of  course,  of  a  resemblance  so  far  to  reptiles, 
since  relative  importance  of  the  fore  and  hind  limb  appears 
to  have  something  to  do  with  the  matter.  From  FUE- 
BEINGEE'S  tables '  it  is  to  be  gathered  that  Fregata  is  the 
bird  in  which  the  difference  between  those  two  segments  of 
the  leg  is  least.  It  is  most  pronounced  in  the  divers,  flamingo, 
and  Tubinares.  A  bone  of  some  classificatory  importance  is 
the  patella,2  a  sesamoid  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  knee. 
This  bone  is  not  ossified  at  all  in  Colymbns,  but  is  enormous 
in  the  grebes  and  in  Hesperornis,  in  which  latter,  as  in 
Phalacrocorax  and  Biziura  lobata,  it  is  perforated  by  the 
tendon  of  the  ambiens.  In  Plotus  the  patella  is  grooved  only 
for  this  tendon. 

In  no  bird  (except  as  an  occasional  abnormality)  is  the 
fibula  a  complete  bone.  It  fails  below,  and  does  not  reach 
the  tarsus.  It  is  usually  more  or  less  coalescent  with  the 
tibia.  The  latter  is  a  strong  bone  with  a  crest  in  front,  which 
is  enormous  in  the  divers  and  Hesperornis.  The  distal  end 
of  the  tibia  is  formed  by  a  portion  of  the  tarsus,  of  which 
the  remaining  portion  is  coalesced  with  the  metatarsus.  The 
tarsus  in  the  embryo  3  consists  of  three  chondrites,  a  tibiale, 
a  fibulare,  and  a  distale.  The  latter  represents  the  separate 
distal  elements  of  the  tarsus  fused.  The  tibiale  sends  up- 

1  KESSLER  ('  Osteologie  der  Vogelfiisse,'  Bull.  Soc.  Nat.  Mosc.  1841)  has  also 
given  tables.     The  value  of  the  '  long  bones '  of  the  leg  for  '  defining  orders, 
families,  and  often  genera  '  is  plainly  set  forth  in  this  paper.     See  also  MILNE- 
EDWABDS,  Oiscaux  Fossilcs  de.  la  France,  where  further  information  is  to  be  found. 

2  J.  KACZANDEK,  '  Beitrag  zur  Lehre  iiber  die  Entwicklungsgeschichte  der 
Patella,'  Mt.  Embr.  lust.  Wien,  (2)  ii.  1887,  p.  12. 

3  G.  BAUK,  '  Der  Tarsus  der  Vogel  u.  Dinosaurier,'  Morpli.  J.B.  viii.  1883, 
p.  417 ;  E.  G.  MOKSE,  '  On  the   Carpus  and  Tarsus  of  Birds,'   Ann.  Lye.  Neui 
York,  x.  1873,  p.  141,  and  '  On  the  Identity  of  the  Ascending  Process  of  the 
Astragalus,'  &c.,  Anniv.  Mem.  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  1880. 


OSTEOLOGY  135 

wards  an  '  ascending  process,'  found  also  in  the  dinosaurs, 
which  is  the  equivalent  of  the  intermedium,  while  the 
centrale  is  represented  by  a  distinct  osseous  nodule  in  the 
adults  of  the  Struthiones  (including  Dinornis)  and  tinamous. 
In  Apteryx  T.  J.  PARKER  found  two  osseous  centralia. 

The  number  of  toes  and  phalanges  has  been  already 
described  above. 

The  Skull.1 — While  presenting  many  characteristic  features 
of  its  own,  the  skull  in  birds  shows  certain  fundamental  like- 
nesses to  the  skull  of  the  reptilia.  As  in  them,  and  contrary 
to  what  we  find  in  the  mammalia,  the  skull  of  birds— 

1.  Articulates    with    the    spine    by    a    single    occipital 
condyle. 

2.  Possesses  a  quadrate  bone  for  the  articulation  of  the 
mandible. 

3.  The  mandible  itself  is  composed  of  at  least  a  dentary 
angular  and  articular  portion. 

4.  The  columella  auris  is  very  similar. 

The  bird's  skull  is,  however,  distinguishable  by  a  number  of 
characters,  of  which  the  following  are  the  most  important  :— 

1.  The  bones  of  the  cranium  are  very  closely  united  and 
fused,  this  being  less  marked  in  the  penguins  and  ratites. 

2.  The  brain   case  is  large   as    compared  with  that    of 
reptiles. 

3.  The  bones  of  the  skull,  as  are  those  of  the  skeleton  in 
general,  are  light  and  contain  air  spaces. 

4.  The  columella  and  the  os  transversum  of  the  reptiles 
are  absent.2 

5.  There  is  no  distinct  postf rental. 

The  bones  of  the  bird's  skull,  as  that  of  other  ver- 
tebrates, may  be  distinguished  into  four  categories— 
(1)  those  of  the  cranium  ossified  from  its  cartilage  ;  (2)  those 
of  the  sense  capsules  ;  (3)  those  of  the  visceral  arches,  and 
(4)  membrane  bones  connected  with  the  several  regions 
enumerated. 

1  H.  MAGNUS,  '  Untersuchungen  iiber  d.  Struktur  d.  knochernen  Vogelkopfes  , 
Zcitsclir.  wiss.  Zuul.  xxi.  1871. 

2  See  however  below,  under  Passerine  skull. 


136         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

1 .  The  bones  formed  by  ossification  from  the  chondro- 
cranium  are  four  occipitals,  viz.  basioccipital,  two  exoccipitals, 
and  the  snpraoccipital,  forming  a  complete  ring  of  bone 
round  the  foramen  magnum  ;  basisphenoid,  with  two  wings, 
the  alisphenoids  ;  presphenoid,  with  two  wings,,  the  orbito- 
sphenoids  (occasionally  atrophied,  e.g.  Apteryx)  ;  meseth- 
moid,  with  two  lateral  wings,  the  ectethmoids  (sometimes 
termed  prefrontals)  ;  these  are  occasionally  absent  as  distinct 
ossifications,  and  may  sometimes,  on  the  other  hand,  be  very 
large  and  even  appear  on  the  frontal  surface  of  the  skull, 
marking  the  orbit  anteriorly ;  in  those  cases  they  take  the 
place  of  the  orbital  part  of  the  lacrymal  and  have  a  better 
claim  to  be  called  prefrontal. 

'2.  The  investment  of  the  auditory  capsule,  termed 
collectively  the  periotic  bone,  consists  of  three  separate 
elements,  the  prootic,  opisthotic,  and  the  epiotic,  which  last 
is  absent  in  the  Aptery.r. 

3.  The  first  visceral  arch,  the  mandibular,  has  but  two 
bones l  ossified  from  its  cartilage,  the  quadrate  and  the 
articulare  of  the  lower  jaw.  The  second  and  third  arches 
form  the  hyoid  apparatus ;  the  ossifications  are,  first,  the 
columella  auris,  a  bone  corresponding  physiologically,  if  not 
also  morphologically,  to  the  ear  bones  of  mammals  ;  secondly, 
a  median  piece  in  front,  composed  of  two  fused  pieces,  the 
basihyal,  with  sometimes  lateral  processes,  the  ceratohyals  ; 
thirdly,  the  basibranchial,  with  two  long  lateral  outgrowths, 
of  which  the  nearest  regions  are  ossified  to  form  the  cerato- 
branchials ;  thirdly,  a  single  median  piece  (sometimes  absent), 
the  urohyal,  a  remnant  of  the  third  arch.2 

The  membrane  bones  of  the  bird's  skull  are  numerous, 
and  may  be  referred  to  the  same  categories  as  the  cartilage 
bones. 

1.  Associated  with  the  cartilaginous  cranium  are  pos- 
teriorly the  parietals  ;  in  front  of  these  the  frontals  ;  with 
the  frontals  articulate  the  lacrymals,  of  varying  development, 

1  A  mento-meckelian  has  been  recently  discovered  in  hawks. 
-  For  modifications  of  hyoids  see  especially  GADOW,  in  Bronn's  Thicrrcic/i, 
and  GIEBEL,  Zcitsclir.  f.  d.  gcs.  Naturw.,  xi.  1858. 


OSTEOLOGY 


and   in    the    hawks  bearing    a    second    and    separate    bone 

behind.     These  bones  appear  sometimes  to  have  a  definite 

relation  to  the  cartilaginous  ectethmoids.     I  do  not  refer  so 

much  to  the  fact   that  they   sometimes  entirely  fuse  with 

them   (and  with  the  skull  wall)  as  to  the  varying  size  and 

relations  of  the  two.     In  the  kingfishers,  for  example,  where 

the  ectethmoids  are  small,  the  lacrymals  are  large,  and  have 

below   an  expanded  plate  which   supplies  the  place  of  the 

feeble  ectethmoid.     When  the  lacrymal  does  not  reach  the 

orbital   margin,    as    in    Corvus,    the 

ectethmoid  does,  and,  as  it  were,  takes 

its  place.     In  many  birds  belonging 

to  quite    different  orders  there  is  a 

small  bone  connecting  the  lower  end 

of  the  lacrymal,  or  of  the  ectethmoid, 

with  either  the  palatine  or  the  jugal 

bar  ;  this  bone  has  been  termed  '  os 

crochu,'  os   uncinatum,  os  lacrymo- 

palatinum,  and  will  be  described  in 

detail  in  those  birds  where  it  is  to 

be  found.1      It  may  be  that  the  os 

uncinatum    should    have    been    de- 

scribed as  one  of  cartilaginous  bones 

of  the  cranium.     In  some  birds  (tina-  FIG.  7G.—  HYOH>  OF  Latha- 

mous,  Menura,  Psophia,  and  A  rbori-  discolor 


Cola)  there  is  a  Set  Of  SUpraOrbital  &,  basihyal  ;  M,  hypnbrancliial  :  .*, 
,  .  .  ,  i  -j.  i  ceratobranchial  ;  •«,  uroliyal  ;  c, 

DOIieS     margining    the     OrbltS     abOVe.        entoglossum  ;  }>,  parahyal  ;  c,  cou- 

The  base  of  the  brain  case  is  protected 

by  a  large  basitemporal,  which  has  sometimes  (e.g.  Apteryx) 
a  long  rostrum  in  front.  The  maxillae  are  sometimes  sepa- 
rate from  each  other,  and  at  times  united  across  the  middle 
line  by  more  or  less  extensive  ossifications,  of  which  a  pro- 
minent one,  and  with  the  appearance  of  a  separate  bone, 
is  the  maxillo-palatine.  The  premaxillaries  in  front  of  these 
send  back  a  long  process  extending  as  far  as  the  nasals. 

'2.  To    this    category,    perhaps,    belong   the    squamosal, 

1   See  under    Cariauta,  Tubinares,   Steganopodes,  Musophagi,  where  cross 
references  will  be  found. 


138         STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

referable  to  the  auditory  capsule,  and  the  nasals  above  and 
the  vomers  below  to  the  nasal  capsule.  The  vomers  are 
often  paired  bones,  and  near  to  them  are  other  small  and 
independent  ossifications,  such  as  the  septomaxillaries  (see 
under  Passeres)  and  the  mediopalatines  (see  under  Cuckoos) . 
Connected  with  the  eye — ossified,  indeed,  in  the  sclerotic — is 
the  sclerotic  ring. 

3.  As  membranous  ossifications  connected  with  or  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  the  visceral  arches  are  the  pterygoids 
and  palatines  of  the  first  arch,  and  perhaps  the  quadrato- 
jugal  and  jugal,  connecting  the  quadrate  with  the  maxillae. 
The  pterygoids  are,  as  a  rule,  style-like  bones,  flat,  however, 
in  the  penguins,  and  may  or  may  not  articulate  with  the 
basis  cranii  by  means  of  the  basipterygoid  processes.  The 
palatines  may  be  completely  separate  from  each  other,  or 
fused  for  a  greater  or  less  extent.  They  are  broader  or 
narrower,  as  the  case  may  be.  The  lower  jaw  has  a  number 
of  membranous  ossifications  ;  these  are  the  splenial,  dentary, 
angular,  supra-angular,  and  coronary.  One  or  two  additional 
elements  may  be  present. 

With  these  general  characters  the  skull  of  birds  shows  a 
considerable  number  of  differences  of  minor  importance  in 
different  families  and  genera.  The  first,  perhaps,  of  these 
in  degree  of  importance — certainly  in  general  estimation,  if 
not  actually  so — is  the  series  of  modifications  of  the  avian 
palate  which  were  worked  out  in  detail  by  HUXLEY,  and 
after  him  by  PARKER,  but  which  had  been  previous  to 
HUXLEY'S  '  well-known  paper  studied  with  some  degree  of 
success  by  CoRNAY.2 

HUXLEY  distinguished  among  the  palates  of  birds  the 
following  principal  modifications  :- 

1.  Dromceognathism.  —  This  characterises  not  only  the 
ratites  but  also  the  tinamous,  and  has  been  indeed  the 


1  In  P.  Z.  S.  1867.  See  also  paper  by  NEWTON,  Ibis,  1868,  p.  85,  and  reply. 
ibid.  p.  357. 

-  '  Considerations  Generates  sur  la  Classification  des  Oiseaux,'  etc.,  Rev. 
Zool.  Soc.  Cuvicricnnc,  1847  ;  see  also  HEEIIWAOKX,  Bcitrage  z.  Kcnntn.  >L 
Kiefergaumenapparates  d.  Vdgel,  Diss.  Inaug.,  Niirnberg,  1889. 


OSTEOLOGY  139 

principal  reason  for  the  close  association  of  these  birds  by 
subsequent  writers.  In  these  birds  (see  fig.  77)  the  vomer  is 
broad  posteriorly,  and  thrusts  itself  between  the  pterygoids 
and  palatines  on  the  one  side  and  the  basisphenoid  rostrum 
on  the  other,  and  thus  prevents  their  articulation.  This  is 
the  typical  dromseognathous  state  ;  but  there  are  certain 
modifications  which  will  be  described  in  detail  later.  The 
ostrich,  for  example,  is  only  dromaeogiiathous  in  that  the 
pterygoids  and  palatines  do  not  articulate  with  the  basi- 
sphenoidal  rostrum ;  for  the  vomer  in  this  bird  is  short  and  does 
not  reach  back  far  enough  to  prevent  (so  to  speak)  the  union. 
'2.  Desmognathism. — In  a  variety  of  birds  belonging  to 
many  orders  the  vomer  has  either  disappeared  or  is  very 
small ;  the  two  maxillo-palatine  plates  come  into  contact 
in  the  middle  line,  as,  indeed,  they  do  in  the  dromseognathous 
skull.  As  with  all  the  types  of  skull  to  be  enumerated,  the 
pterygoids  and  palatines  at  the  point  of  their  union  with 
each  other  articulate  with  the  basisphenoidal  rostrum.  (This 
kind  of  skull  is  illustrated  in  fig.  78.) 

3.  ScJiizognatliism. — This  type  is  almost  as  prevalent  as 
desmognathism.     The  vomer,  well  developed,  terminates,  as 
a  rule,  in  a  point  anteriorly.     The  maxillo-palatines,  variable 
in  size  and  shape,  do  not  meet  across  the  middle  line  with 
each  other  or  with  the  vomer.     (See  fig.  79.) 

4.  JEgitliognatliism.—  Found    typically  in  '  finches  '  and 
in    passerines  generally ;  is  very   like    the  last  type.     The 
distinguishing    character    (fig.    80)    is    that    the    vomer   is 
broad  and  truncated  anteriorly,  lying  between  the  separate 
maxillo-palatines.       The    skull    is    thus    '  schizognathous  ' 
etymologically.     To  these  four  divisions  Professor  PARKER 
has  added— 

5.  Saurogiiatliism. — Exemplified    in    the    woodpeckers. 
The  maxillo-palatines  are  extremely  slight,  hardly  extending 
inwards    from    the    maxillne  ;    hence    the    skull   is   widely 
schizognathous.     The  vomers  are  delicate  paired  rods. 

As  stated  in  the  foregoing  brief  epitome  of  the  characters 
of  the  several  types  of  skull,  the  facts  seem  to  differentiate 
the  five  types  fully.  ELLIOT  COUES  remarks  of  desmo- 


140         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


gnathism  that  '  it  does  not  fadge  so  well  as  any  other  one  of 
the  palatal  types  of  structure  with  recognised  groups  of 
birds  based  on  other  considerations.'  This  might  be  really 
said  of  saurognathism  also  ;  for  the  woodpeckers  are  not  so 
far  removed  from  other  picarian  birds  as  the  structure  of 


FIG.  77. — SKULL    OF  Rhea.     VENTRAL 
VIEW.     (AFTER  HUXLEY). 

t-'ni.i;  premaxilhv  ;  J/r/>,  maxillo-palatiue ;  R, 
rostrum  ;  Vo,  vomer ;  J'l,  palatine ;  Pf, 
pterygoid  ;  *,  basipterygoid  process. 


Pmx, 


FIG.  78. — SKULL  OF  Dacclo  (AFTER 
HUXLEY). 

Ln,  laoiymal.    Other  letters  as  iu  previous 
figure. 


their  skull  would  lead  us  to  believe.  Neither  are  any  of  the 
subdivisions,  except  that  of  the  dromseognathse,  really  satis- 
factory from  the  classificatory  point  of  view.  Their  in- 
efficiency, however,  is  rendered  harmless  by  the  fact  that 


OSTEOLOGY 


141 


they  are  in  reality  not  such  hard  and  fast  distinctions  ;is 
might  be  gathered  from  the  foregoing  abstract  and  from 
textbooks  in  general. 

PARKER  has  distinguished  four  categories  of  desmo- 
gnathism — (a)  perfect  direct,  the  maxillo-palatines  uniting 
below  in  the  middle  line  ;  (b)  perfect  indirect,  maxillo- 
palatines  separated  by  a  chink  in  the  middle  line  ;  (c)  im- 
perfectly direct,  maxillo-palatines  sutured  together  in  the 


Pm.r 


V,, 


Six 


FIG.  79. — SKULL  OF  Alca,  (AFTER  HUXLEY). 

*,   prefrontal   (eetethmoid) ;    <IH,   quadrate  :    J/.r. 
Maxilla.     Other  letters  as  in  previous  figure-.. 


FIG.  80. — SKULL  OF  Corvus  (AFTEH 
HUXLEY).     LETTERING  AS  BEFORE. 


middle  line ;  (d)  imperfectly  indirect,  maxillo-palatines  closely 
articulated  with  and  separated  by  the  median  septomaxillary. 
There  is  also  the  exaggerated  desmognathism  ('  double  des- 
mognathisna  ')  of  the  hornbills,  &c.,  where  not  only  the 
maxillo-palatines  but  also  the  palatines  are  united  across  the 
middle  line  ;  and  finally  the  spurious  desmognathism  of 
certain  segithognathous  birds  (Megalcema),  in  which  the 


142         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

vomers  are  asgithognathous,  but  the  maxillo-palatines  are 
united. 

As  of  desmognathism  so  of  aegithognathism,  PARKER 
distinguishes  four  kinds— 

Incomplete  segithognathism  (Hemipodes)  is  distinguished 
by  the  fact  that  the  broad  double  vomer  has  a  septomaxil- 
lary  at  each  angle,  which  is  only  '  strongly  tied '  to  alinasal 
cartilages. 

Complete  Var.  1. — The  vomers  are  distinct  from  the  often 
long  alinasal  walls  and  turbinals  :  a  small  septomaxillary 
appears  on  the  angle  of  the  alinasal  cartilage,  but  does  not 
run  into  it. 

Complete  Var.  2. — Here  the  vomers  are  grafted  upon  the 

nasal  wall. 

Compound,  where  in  an  aegithognathous  palate  desmo- 
gnathism is  produced  by  ankylosis  of  the  inner  edge  of  the 
maxillaries  with  a  highly  ossified  alinasal  wall  and  nasal 
septum. 

Among  the  higher  families  the  septomaxillaries  are  often 

absent. 

It  is  clear,  therefore,  that  a  very  narrow  boundary  line 
separates  desmognathism  in  some  of  its  forms  from  schizo- 
gnathism,  and  that  there  is  a  direct  relationship  between 
desmognathism  and  aegithognathism.  The  only  type  of 
skull  which  is  really  distinct  is  the  dromaeognathous. 

In  classificatory  importance  perhaps  next  comes  the 
condition  of  the  nasal  bone.  (TARROD  distinguished  birds 
into  those  with  holorhinal  and  those  with  schizorhinal 
nostrils.  These  terms  refer  to  the  posterior  edge  of  the  bony 
nostril,  which  in  one  set  of  birds,  the  holorhinal,  ends  behind 
with  a  clear  oval  outline  (fig.  81),  or  in  the  schizorhinal 
birds  runs  back  as  a  gradually  narrowing  chink  ;  this  latter 
arrangement  is  shown  in  fig.  82.  In  the  holorhinal  bird  a 
straight  line,  drawn  across  the  face  from  the  posterior 
boundary  of  one  nostril  to  that  of  the  other,  passes  in 
front  of  the  termination  of  the  nasal  processes  of  the 
premaxilla.  Tt  is  not  always  the  case  that  a  line  drawn 
similarly  to  that  of  the  holorhinal  birds  passes  behind  the 


OSTEOLOGY 


143 


end  of  the  premaxillary  process,  but  it  is  generally  so.  In 
the  schizorhinal  skull  it  often  appears,  as  in  the  typical 
schizorhinal  cranes  and  charadriiform  birds,  as  if  the  outer 
part  of  the  nasal  bone  were  a  distinct  bone ;  for  it  joins  the 


FIG.  81 SKULL  OF  Psophia.     LATERAL  VIEW.     (AFTER  BEDDARD.) 

inner  lamina  at  an  angle.  In  the  typical  holorhinal  skull, 
on  the  other  hand,  as,  for  example,  in  the  Rallida?,  the  two 
parts  of  the  nasal  come  smoothly  together,  leaving  the  clear- 


FIG.  82. — SKULL  OF  Lants. 
DORSAL  VIEW.  (AFTER 
GARROD.) 


FIG.  83.  —  SKULL  OF 
DORSAL  VIEW. 
GABBOD.) 


(AFTER 


cut,  ovally  contoured  nostril.  It  is  not,  however,  always  easy 
to  distinguish  so  clearly  as  can  be  done  between  Rallus  and 
Grus.  Thus  GTARROD  admits  the  schizorhiny  of  Funt.«rii(t> 


144         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

and  some  other  Passerines,  in  which  the  bony  opening  of 
the  nostrils,  although,  as  he  figures  it,  rounded  off  at  its 
termination,  ends  behind,  or  at  least  on  a  level  with,  the 
ends  of  the  nasal  processes  of  the  premaxillse.  In  the  same 
way  an  intermediate  condition  is  offered  by  Thinocorus  and 
Glareola,  in  which  there  is  much  the  same  kind  of  arrange- 
ment. But  one  of  the  most  striking  instances  which  have 
come  to  my  personal  knowledge  is  that  of  Chung  a.  Its 
near  ally  Cariama  is,  as  correctly  stated  by  GAEROD  and 
others,  holorhinal,  which  in  view  of  its  relationship  to  the 
cranes  is  unfortunate.  But  in  Chunga  it  is  clear  that  the 
holorhiny  is  secondary,  being  produced  by  a  slight  modifica- 
tion of  schizorhiny. 

A  careful  examination  of  Chunga  shows  that  the  two 
parts  of  the  nasal  bone  do  not  join  evenly  above  the  opening 
of  the  nostril,  but  that  the  outer  descending  lamina  of  the 
bone  is  divided  for  some  little  distance  by  a  crack  from  the 
premaxillary  portion,  the  two  running  up  in  close  contact- 
so  close  that  no  actual  space  is  left  between  them,  only  a 
line  of  junction  to  mark  their  original  separateness.  In  the 
skulls  of  Cariama  that  I  have  examined  there  is  no  trace  of 
this  ;  but,  considering  the  nearness  to  each  other  of  the  two 
birds,  it  seems  probable  that  it  is  merely  disguised.  This 
fact  favours  FURBRINGER'S  idea  that  schizorhiny  is  more 
primitive  than  holorhiny,  and  is  so  far  adverse  to  GARROD'S 
view  that  '  the  schizorhinal  disposition  is  most  certainly  one 
which  is  a  secondary  development  upon  the  normal  holo- 
rhinal nares.' 

It  is  clear  too  that  the  holorhiny  of  such  a  bird  as  Opis- 
thoconms,  where  the  ossified  alinasals  produce  the  rounded 
margin  of  the  bony  nostril,  cannot  be  accurately  compared 
with  the  holorhinal  nostril  of  a  gallinaceous  bird,  where  it  is 
the  nasals  themselves  that  bound  the  orifice. 

The  presence  or  absence  of  basipterygoid  processes  is 
another  matter  upon  which  some  stress  is  usually  laid  from 
a  systematic  point  of  view.  One  assumes  that  the  existence 
of  these  processes  is  the  original  condition  and  that  their 
loss  is  secondary.  The  presence  or  absence  of  basipterygoid 


OSTEOLOGY  145 

processes  is  most  capricious.  Thus  among  the  limicoline 
series  they  are  absent  from  the  skulls  of  the  gulls  and — more 
unexpectedly  perhaps — from  the  CEdicnemidse  and  Thino- 
coridae.  Among  the  birds  of  prey  the  secretary  bird  and 
the  American  vultures  have  these  processes,  while  the 
Falconidse  have  them  not.  The  goatsuckers  may  be 
similarly  divided  into  those  without  and  those  with  basi- 
pterygoid  processes.  The  TUBINARES,  again,  show  variation 
in  this  respect,  as  do  the  trogons.  It  is  therefore,  in  the 
first  place,  impossible  to  compare  directly  all  birds  which  are 
without  these  processes,  just  as  it  is  impossible  to  put 
together  all  birds  without  an  ambiens.  We  may  note,  how- 
ever, that  it  is  only  among  groups  of  birds  which  show  a 
considerable  range  of  structural  variation  that  there  is  this 
variation  of  the  basipterygoid  processes.  It  is  not,  so  to 
speak,  lightly  that  they  have  gone.  The  reason  for  the 
assumption  that  the  basipterygoid  processes  are  primitive  is 
their  existence  in  reptiles  and  in  such  widely  separated  types 
as  chameleons,  pterodactyles,  and  Hatteria,  and  in  addition 
I  may  point  out  that  there  is  a  significant  correspondence 
between  a  primitive  arrangement  of  gut  and  the  presence 
of  these  structures.  It  cannot  be  said  that  every  bird  with 
basipterygoid  processes  has  the  most  primitive  arrangement 
of  gut,  but  we  do  find  both  in  the  ratites,  Chauna,  the 
gallinaceous  birds,  the  charadriiforrn  birds,  the  owls,  and 
the  goatsuckers.  The  falconiformes  (Haliaetus)  are,  it  is 
true,  an  exception  ;  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  this 
group  is  one  that  has  basipterygoid  processes  (Serpentarius, 
Catliartes),  though  they  are  absent  in  the  true  falcons. 

The  principal  variations  exhibited  by  the  cranium  of 
birds,  apart  from  those  that  have  been  already  considered, 
concern  the  existence  of  supra-orbital  bones,  the  existence  or 
non-existence  of  occipital  fontanelles,  the  marks  of  the  supra- 
orbital  glands,  and  the  presence  or  absence  of  a  hinge  line 
between  the  skull  proper  and  the  face. 

The  existence  of  supra-orbital  bones  in  the  form  of  a 
longer  or  shorter  chain  of  ossicles  was  first  pointed  out  by 
PARKER  as  a  reptilian  character  of  occasional  occurrence. 

L 


146         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


In  the  tinamous  there  are  a  series  of  these  bones,  which  in 
Psopliia  are  reduced  to  a  smaller  number,  and  in  the  passe- 
rine Menura  to  three  only ;  011  the  other  hand  in  Perdix 
they  are  again  more  numerous.  It  is  possible  that  in  such 
birds  as  Rhinochetus  and  (Edicnemus,  in  which  the  edge  of 
the  bony  orbit  is  very  sharp,  the  thinness  of  the  edge  is  due 
to  the  fusion  of  a  set  of  these  bonelets  with  the  true  margin 
o£  the  frontal.  As  will  be  seen,  the  existence  of  these  bones 
is  so  rare  as  to  render  them  of  not  great  service  from  a  sys- 
tematic point  of  view ;  but  it  is  only 
among  birds  which  may  be  fairly 
on  other  grounds  regarded  as 
archaic  that  they  are  to  be  met 
with. 

The  occipital  fontanelles  (fig. 
84)  are  mostly  developed  in  water 
birds,  though  any  connection  be- 
tween them  and  the  habit  of  the 
birds  is  at  least  not  obvious.  They 
are  most  general  among  the 
Limicolse  and  the  duck  tribe,  but 
are  found  also  in  the  Plataleidse 

and  exist  temporarily  in  the  gulls  ;  they  are  also  found  in 
the  flamingo,  Gruidse,  and  among  the  auks. 

Almost  the  same  remarks  may  be  made  of  the  impressions 
for  the  supra-orbital  glands.  They  are  very  marked  in  the 
Limicolse,  being  more  usual  than  the  occipital  fontanelles  ; 
they  are  met  with  in  the  auks,  divers,  and  penguins  ;  in  the 
cranes  and  Plataleidse  they  are  present,  but  not  so  conspicuous. 
The  hinge  line  between  face  and  skull  is  seen  in  its  most 
fully  developed  condition  in  parrots,  where  the  face  is  actu- 
ally movable  on  the  head.  But  it  is  commonly  met  with 
elsewhere,  particularly  among  the  Anomalogonatae ;  it  is 
associated  with  holorhiny  and  with  comparatively  short 
nasal  processes  of  the  premaxillary. 

Apart  from  their  relations  to  the  vomer  the  palatines  and 
ptenjyoids  show  some  variations  in  structure.  As  to  the 
pterygoids,  the  most  prominent  difference  concerns  the  place 


FIG.  84.  —  SKULL  OF 
Magellanica.      BACK 
(AFTER  GARROD.) 


VIEW. 


OSTEOLOGY  147 

where  the  articulation  with  the  basipterygoid  facets  occurs  ; 
it  is  usually  towards  the  middle  of  the  bone  ;  but  in  the  emu, 
in  the  Anseres  and  Galli  it  is  quite  at  the  end  of  the  bone, 
the  end  nearest  to  the  palatines.  The  palatines  differ  greatly 
in  shape  and  in  breadth.  Among  the  Anseres  and  Galli  the 
internal  lamina  which  meet  in  the  middle  line  above  the 
basisphenoids  are  practically  absent,  being  only  represented 
by  a  more  or  less  faintly  marked  ridge.  In  other  birds  these 
regions  of  the  palatines  are  well  marked,  and  may  meet  for 
a  considerable  space  in  the  middle  line,  and,  as  in  Steatornisf 
an  anterior  portion  of  each  bone  may  come  into  contact  in 
the  middle  line  further  forward,  thus  giving  rise  to  what  has 
been  termed  double  desmognathism,  the  maxillo-palatines  of 
course  forming  the  other  junction  in  the  middle  line  in  front 
of  them  again.  In  most  birds  perhaps  the  palatines  are 
gradually  rounded  oft'  behind,  but  in  the  Ardeidae  and  in 
Bliinoclietus,  &c.,  they  are  as  it  were  sharply  cut  across 
behind  this  edge,  being  at  right  angles  to  the  long  axis  of  the 
bone.  In  many  Passeres  and  in  some  other  birds  there  is  a 
well-developed  postero-lateral  process  of  the  bone,  wilich  has 
been  termed  transpalatine  ;  this,  if  it  came  into  contact  with 
the  jugal  arch,  as  it  nearly  doesiii  some  Passeres,  would  bear 
the  strongest  likeness  to  the  transverse  bone  of  reptiles. 
The  palatines  are  occasionally,  but  rarely,  fenestrate,  e.g. 
A  nous,  Eurypyga. 

The  vomer  varies  from  complete  absence  (Colius)  to  very 
striking  presence.  When  present  there  is  every  grade  be- 
tween a  thin  splint  and  a  broad  flat  bone,  which  in  the  latter 
case  is  often  obviously  formed  of  two  lateral  halves.  These, 
however,  do  not  appear  to  remain  completely  separate  except 
among  the  Pici  (q.v.),  where  they  are  smallish  splints.  But 
not  only  among  the  ostrich  tribe,  but  in  Hesjn'raniis  and 
passerines  the  vorners  are  double  in  the  young.  A  series  of 
small  bones  lying  between  the  palatines,  and  called  interpa- 
latiiies  and  septo-maxillaries  by  PACKER,  may  be  regarded 
as  belonging  to  the  vomerine  series.  They  are  unpaired 
ossicles  which  continue,  though  with  a  hiatus,  the  vomer 
backwards. 

L    2 


148         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

The  degree  of  development  of  the  lacnjmals  and  the 
ectethmoid  processes  varies  greatly  among  birds,  and  is  at 
times  of  use  for  systematic  purposes.  In  some  birds,  as,  for 
example,  among  the  cranes,  there  is  no  junction  between 
those  bones ;  in  the  Charadriidge,  on  the  other  hand  they 
form  a  complete  ring ;  in  Pterocles,  &c.,  the  two  are  firmly 
blended  into  a  square  plate  of  bone  which  bounds  the  orbit 
anteriorly. 

The  lacrymal  is  occasionally  joined  to  the  palatine  or  to 
the  jugal  by  a  small  independent  ossicle,  which  PARKER  has 
termed  the  uncinate  bone,  and  thinks  to  be  the  homologue 
of  the  anterior  connection  of  the  palato-quadrate  arch  with 
the  skull  in  the  tadpole,  &c.  This  bone  is  so  variable  in  its 
presence  (e.g.  Cariama,  Tubinares)  that  it  can  hardly  be 
regarded  as  of  much  systematic  importance.  The  last  matter 
to  which  we  may  refer  as  of  classificatory  importance  is  the 
form  of  the  quadrate,  which  Miss  WALKER  has  shown  to 
vary  much  and  characteristically  in  different  groups.  It  had 
been  long  known  that  the  single-headed  articulation  with 
the  skull  was  a  character  of  struthious  birds,  excepting 
Apteryx,  and  of  Ichthyoniis,  and  to  a  less  extent  of  gallina- 
ceous birds  and  ducks. 

The  value  of  the  base  of  the  skull  in  classification  has 
been  continuously  debated  since  the  facts  were  first  so  clearly 
set  forth  by  HUXLEY. 

From  the  complications  introduced  into  the  originally 
simple  series  of  modifications  of  the  skull  instituted  by 
HUXLEY,  by  PARKER,  and  from  the  varied  criticisms  of  fact 
and  conclusion  of  a  classificatory  kind  based  upon  fact,  we 
may  disentangle  one  conclusion  that  many  ornithologists 
will  agree  with — that  is,  the  more  lacertilian  character  of 
the  skull  in  the  struthious  than  in  other  birds.  In  them  the 
palatines  are  borne  off  from  the  basisphenoidal  rostrum  by 
the  vomer  (with  the  exception  of  Strutliio, in  which,  however, 
the  palatines  are  still  remote  from  the  rostrum),  and  the 
general  disposition  of  these  parts  is,  as  HUXLEY  wrote,  'more 
lacertilian  than  in  other  birds.'  Furthermore  in  the  stru- 
thious birds  the  double  character  of  the  vomer  is  more 


OSTEOLOGY  149 

universally  retained  than  in  other  birds.  As  T.  J.  PARKED 
has  shown  in  Mesopteryx,  Anomalopteryx,  and  (according  to 
OWEN)  Dinorni-s  torosus,  and  finally  in  the  young  of  Emeus 
crassus,  there  are  distinct  paired  voiners.  The  strong  anterior 
and  posterior  bifurcation  of  the  voiner  in  living  Struthionidse 
is  an  indication  of  the  partial  fusion  of  the  primitively 
separate  halves  of  the  single  vomer.  A  double  vomer, 
however,  is  not  a  feature  of  the  struthious  birds  alone;  in 
the  young  Hesperonu's  the  same  occurs ;  in  the  woodpeckers 
(hence  Saurognathse  in  PARKER'S  nomenclature)  there  are  two 
distinct  vomers,  while  PARKER  has  recently  committed  him- 
self to  the  general  statement  that  '  in  most  birds  that  have 
a  large  or  wide  vomer  it  is  double  at  first.'  The  inference 
is  that  the  single  thread-like  vomer  of  many  birds  is  in  a 
degenerate  condition.  In  any  case  a  large  vomer,  double  or 
single,  and  a  lacertilian  palate  generally  mark  all  the  stru- 
thious birds,  and  justify  their  generally  recognised  position 
somewhere  not  far  from  the  root  of  the  avian  series. 

As  for  desmognathism  and  schizognathism,  Professor 
PARKER  has  aptly  remarked  :  '  The  use  of  such  a  taxonomic 
character  as  desmognathism  or  schizognathism  is  very 
extensive  in  some  groups  and  very  limited  in  others  ;  and 
there  is  no  sharp  line  of  demarcation  between  the  two.  The 
most  lacertilian  palate  for  openness  is  that  of  the  woodpecker  ; 
the  most  modified  by  intense  ossification  is  that  of  the 
toucan  ;  yet  these  two  types,  each  specialised  to  the  utter- 
most, have  a  postcephalic  skeleton,  not  indeed  identical,  but 
extremely  similar.' 

That  the  toucans  and  woodpeckers  are  exceedingly  near 
akin  is  also  shown  by  many  other  features  of  their  organisa- 
tion (see  below).  HUXLEY  claimed  for  his  Schizognathse 
that  they  were  a  natural  group,  but  hardly  claimed  so  much 
for  the  Desmognathfe.  He  admitted,  however,  that  Cariama, 
a  schizognathous  bird  in  the  totality  of  its  organisation,  had 
a  palate  approximating  to  the  desmognathous.  The  Cracidae 
and  Rhinochetus  are  in  the  same  anomalous  position.  The 
Trogonidse,  whose  nearest  allies  are  the  desmognathous 
birds,  have  a  schizognathous  palate  (as  was  pointed  out  by 


150         STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

FORBES),  while  the  goatsuckers  show  both  desmognathism 
and  schizognathism  among  the  members  of  the  group.  On  the 
other  hand  schizognathism  is  not  on  the  taxonornic  side 
sharply  marked  off  from  aegithognathi'sm.  HUXLEY'S  defi- 
nition of  the  vomer  in  schizognathons  birds  was  that  it  is 
'  pointed  in  front ;  '  this  is  not  the  case  with  many  Schizo- 
gnatha3,  e.g.  Hcematopus,  Numenius  (cf.  below).  And,  on  the 
other  hand,  PARKER  showed  that  another  peculiarity  of  the 
eegithognathous  skull,  the  union  of  the  vomer  with  ossified 

O  O 

alinasals,  was  also  found  in  the  '  Turnicomorphae,'  a  group 
which  for  other  reasons  should  be  placed  among  HUXLEY'S 
Schizognathse. 

It  appears,  therefore,  undesirable  to  lay  too  much  stress 
upon  the  modifications  of  the  palate,  as  seen  in  the  three 
groups  just  discussed,  as  a  basis  of  classification. 

HUXLEY  defined  desmognathism  as  follows  :  '  The 
vomer  is  often  either  abortive  or  so  small  that  it  disappears 
from  the  skeleton.  Where  it  exists  it  is  always  slender  and 
tapers  to  one  point  anteriorly.  The  maxillo-palatines  are 
united  across  the  middle  line  either  directly  or  by  the 
intermediation  of  the  ossifications  on  to  the  nasal  septum.' 

This  definition  applies  perfectly  well  to  the  Anseres  and 
Palamedese,  but  not  to  all  other  groups  of  birds. 

But  there  is  the  form  of  desmognathism  found  in  the 
Steganopodes  and  in  the  owls  and  Accipitres.  In  the 
former  group  there  is  no  desmognathism  (in  the  sense  of 
HUXLEY)  except  in  Pelecamis.  The  maxillo-palatines  of 
Phaethon  and  Fregata  (see  below)  are  perfectly  free  ;  in 
front  of  them  the  palate  is  complete,  but  that  completeness 
is  formed  by  a  union  of  lateral  extensions  of  the  maxilla? 
which  are  distinct  from  the  rounded  maxillo-palatines.  In 
the  cormorant,  which  is  admittedly  an  ally  of  Phaethon,  there 
appears  at  first  sight  to  be  a  true  desmognathism,  a  fusion, 
that  is  to  say,  of  the  maxillo-palatines.  The  plates  of  bone 
in  question  are  beneath  the  ends  of  the  palatines,  but,  instead 
of  running  horizontally  in  the  same  plane  as  the  palatines, 
they  run  obliquely  upwards  (when  the  skull  is  regarded  from 
below) .  If  it  were  not  for  Fregata,  these  bones  might  be 


OSTEOLOGY  151 

looked  upon  as  the  homologues  of  the  maxillo-palatines  of 
Pliaetlion.  But  in  Fregata  both  structures  are  present. 
Coexistence  clearly  disproves  homology  ;  we  must,  therefore, 
place  the  '  desmognathism  '  of  Phalacrocorax  upon  an 
entirely  different  footing  from  that  of  the  Anseres,  where 
the  maxillo-palatines  unite  in  the  typical  fashion  across  the 
middle  line. 

In  addition  to  these  forms  of  desmognathism  it  appears 
to  me  that  we  should  distinguish  that  of  the  American  vul- 
tures, where  there  is  no  union  at  all  of  the  maxillo-palatines, 
but  only  of  the  alinasals. 

In  fact  there  appear  to  be  three  ways  of  bridging  over  the 
palate  which  may  be  termed  desmognathism,  though  the 
word  becomes  merely  descriptive  of  a  condition  and  not 
necessarily  indicative  of  affinities  ;  these  are— 

(1)  Union  of  maxillo-palatines  (more  or  less  complete). 

(2)  Union  of  alinasals. 

(3)  Union  of  maxillae  in  front  of  the  maxillo-palatines. 
These  three  are  usually  combined  in  various  ways ;  e.g. 
In  hornbills  there   are   all  three  methods  of  union  ;  in 

some  Steganopodes  only  numbers  2  and  3. 

Brain  and  Nervous  System. 

The  brain  of  recent  birds  chiefly  differs  from  that  of 
reptiles  by  the  large  size  of  the  hemispheres,  the  large  size 
of  the  cerebellum,  and  by  the  fact  that,  owing  to  the  great 
development  of  these  two  regions,  the  optic  lobes  are  pushed 
to  one  side.  T.  J.  PARKEE  found  in  studying  the  develop- 
ment of  Apteryx  that  the  latter  feature  is  acquired  during 
development,  and  that  the  optic  lobes  have  originally  the 
reptilian  position.  The  extinct  cretaceous  birds  had  brains 
with  smaller  cerebral  hemispheres  and  with  larger  optic  lobes 
than  existing  birds,  and  were  in  these  particulars  more  repti- 
lian. On  the  other  hand,  if  the  cast  present  in  the  London 
example  of  the  Arcliceopteryx  be  really,  as  it  was  first  surmised 
to  be  by  Sir  JOHN  EVANS,  the  brain  of  the  bird,  it  was  less 
reptilian  than  Hesperornis,  a  fact  which  may  possibly 


l">i'         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

suggest  the  inference  that  the  brain  of  the  cretaceous  bird 
furnishes  an  example  of  degeneration  rather  than  of  the 
retention  of  an  archaic  character. 

The  hemispheres,  although  smooth  in  the  majority  of 
birds,  show  faint  indications  of  what  may  correspond  to 
furrows  in  some  others.  In  the  duck,  for  example,  as 
figured  by  GADOW  (after  BUMM),  there  is  a  central  raised  area 
marked  off  by  a  furrow  from  the  surrounding  parts  of  the  cere- 
brum ;  faint  traces  of  the  same  occur  in  Buteo  vulgaris.  The 
weight  of  the  brain  as  compared  wdth  that  of  the  whole  body 
has  been  studied  by  several  observers,  and  according  to  their 
results  the  Passeres  and  parrots  take  the  highest  place. 
But  GADOW  justly  remarks  that  '  the  attempts  to  sort  birds 
according  to  the  proportion  of  brain  to  body  have  led  to  no 
practical  results,  chiefly  because  the  variable  conditions  of 
fat  and  lean  subjects  have  not  been  considered.' 

The  brachial  and  lumbar  plexuses,  particularly  the 
former,  have  been  studied  in  a  large  number  of  birds  ; 
FUEBRINGEE  has  published  a  quantity  of  drawings  of  the 
former,  but  no  classificatory  results  of  reliability  appear  to 
follow  from  the  facts  collected  with  so  much  diligence.  The 
brachial  plexus  varies  in  position  and  in  complexity.  The 
former  variations  are  largely  correlated  with  the  varying 
length  of  the  neck  ;  thus  in  Columba  the  first  spinal  nerve 
entering  into  the  plexus -is  the  tenth,  in  Pliocnicopterns  the 
seventeenth.  The  number  of  nerves  which  together  form 
the  plexus  varies  from  only  three  in  Biicorvus  to  six  in 
Columba. 

The  Eye. — The  eye  of  birds  presents  many  resemblances 
to  that  of  reptiles.  The  minute  structure  of  the  retina 
presents  many  points  of  similarity,  as  also  the  ring  of  ossifi- 
cations in  the  cornea,  and  the  pecten.  The  latter  is  a  folded 
process  of  pigmented  tissue  which  projects  into  the  vitreous 
humour  through  the  choroidal  fissure,  which  is  in  the  embryo 
the  gap  left  between  the  edge  of  the  optic  cup  and  the  lens 
on  one  side.  The  pecten  offers  differences  in  various  birds 
upon  which  perhaps  some  little  stress  can  be  laid.  In 
Apterijx  it  is  entirely  absent.  There  are  very  few  folds  in 


BRAIN   AND   NERVOUS    SYSTEM  1-53 

the  owls  (4  to  7)  and  in  the  goatsuckers  ;  this  might  lead,  in 
connection  with  the  total  absence  of  the  pecten  in  Apter//.r, 
to  the  conclusion  that  the  less  or  greater  development  of  the 
organ  had  some  relation  to  nocturnal  or  diurnal  habits. 
But  the  existence  of  only  four  in  the  emu  seems  to  throw 
some  doubt  upon  this  suggestion.  Among  the  passerine 
birds  the  largest  number  (raven  30)  of  folds  in  the  pecten 
is  found. 

Certain  small  ossifications  in  the  cornea  near  to  the 
entrance  of  the  optic  nerve  seem  to  be  peculiar  to  the 
Passeres  and  to  certain  picarian  birds.  The  eyes  have  both 
lacrymal  and  Harderian  gland  ;  the  eyeball  is  moved  by  four 
recti  and  two  oblique  muscles  ;  the  membrana  by  two 
muscles,  the  quadratic  and  fhepyramidctl-is,  both  innervated 
by  the  sixth  cranial  nerve. 

The  Ear. — Birds  have  no  external  ear  (concha),  but  in 
many  a  flap  forming  a  valve  projects  into  the  meatus  from 
the  outer  margin,  a  state  of  affairs  which  recalls  the  condi- 
tions found  in  the  crocodile.  This  outer  ear  is  especially 
well  developed  in  the  owls,  in  which  birds  also  the  ear  region 
of  the  skull  is  often  markedly  asymmetrical. 

The  inner  ear  has  the  three  semicircular  canals  of  all 
higher  vertebrates,  but  the  cochlea  is  not  coiled.  The  audi- 
tory ossicles  consist  of  a  single  structure,  partly  bony  and 
partly  cartilaginous,  called  the  columella. 

The  Affinities  of  Birds 

In  considering  the  relationship  of  birds  to  other  verte- 
brates it  is  probably  safe  to  leave  out  of  consideration  the 
mammalia  and  the  amphibia.  Points  of  likeness  have,  it  is 
true,  been  urged  in  favour  of  the  latter  view  of  an  affinity 
between  birds  and  amphibia  by  the  late  Professor  PARKER  ; 
but  apart  from  warm-bloodedness  and  the  resemblance 
of  some  of  the  more  simple  forms  of  feathers  to  hairs 
there  is  nothing  to  be  said  on  behalf  of  a  kinship 
between  birds  and  mammals.  As  to  the  likeness  with 
amphibians,  it  is  possible  that  the  divergence  of  birds  from 


154         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

the  reptilian  stem  was  at  a  time  when  the  characters  of  the 
amphibian  had  been  incompletely  thrown  off,  and  at  a  time 
also  when  the  mammals  diverged  on  their  own  path  from  a 
point  near  to  that  whence  the  birds  took  their  origin.  The 
general  belief  is  in  the  origin  of  birds  from  some  reptile  stem, 
but  there  is  not  an  absolute  agreement  as  to  precisely  which 
group  of  reptiles  birds  are  most  nearly  akin  to.  The  researches 
of  MARSH  and  HUXLEY,  besides  those  of  COPE,  SEELEY, 
HITLKE,  and  some  others,  have  led  to  a  general  acceptance  of 
a  nearer  kinship  with  the  dinosaurs  than  with  any  other- 
group  of  reptiles.  In  considering  the  question,  then,  which 
forms  the  subject  of  the  present  chapter,  we  shall  commence 
with  the  dinosaurs.  The  dinosaurs,  ranging  in  size  from 
vast  creatures  of  70  or  80  feet  in  length  to  a  diminutive  reptile 
half  the  size  of  the  domestic  fowl,  are  first  known  from 
the  Trias,  persisted  though  the  Jurassic  and  finally  came  to 
an  end  in  the  Cretaceous  epoch,  later  than  which  no 
remains  have  been  found.  So  far  as  we  are  aware  birds 
came  into  existence  in  the  Jurassic  period ;  hence  there  is 
no  anachronism  in  considering  them  from  the  dinosaurian 
aspect. 

It  was  formerly  held  that  birds  antedated  the  Jurassic 
period ;  for  some  of  the  celebrated  tridactyle  footprints  in 
the  sandstone  of  the  Triassic  period  were  put  down  to  birds. 
It  seems,  however,  to  be  now  fairly  certain  that  those  foot- 
prints are  of  dinosaurs.  Still  with  so  specialised  a  form  as 
Archceopteryx  certainly  was,  and  as  Laopteryx  probably  was 
in  the  Jura,  it  would  not  be  surprising  to  meet  with  genuine 
avian  remains  in  the  Trias.  But  even  then  there  are 
undoubtedly  dinosaurs  belonging  to  that  period,  so  that  the 
question  of  relationship  would  resolve  itself  into  a  common 
origin,  not  a  derivation  of  birds  from  dinosaurs. 

The  part  of  the  skeleton  in  which  most  resemblance  is 
shown  between  birds  and  dinosaurs  is  the  pelvis.  The 
dinosaurian  pelvis  consists  of  apparently  three  elements,  like 
that  of  birds,  but  the  pubis  is  an  L-shaped  bone,  constructed 
of  two  pieces,  one  directed  forwards  and  the  other  back- 
wards and  parallel  with  the  ischium  of  its  side.  The  latter 


THE   AFFINITIES  OF   BIRDS  }•',:> 

is  generally  regarded  as  the  homologue  of  the  pubis  of  birds, 
while  the  forwardly  directed  half  of  the  bone  is  considered 
to  be  the  equivalent  of  the  pectineaj  process.  The  alterna- 
tive is  to  look  upon  the  prepubisof  the  dinosaur  as  the  pubis 
of  birds,  and  the  postpubis  as  having  disappeared  altogether 
in  them.  In  this  case  the  crocodile  will  be  an  intermediate 
form  ;  for  in  this  reptile  the  prepubis  is  the  'pubis,'  while 
the  postpubis  is  represented  by  an  inconspicuous  process 
upon  the  pubis.  The  former  alternative  commends  itself  to 
us.  There  are  birds  in  which  the  pectineal  process  is 
practically  absent ;  in  others,  as  Apteryx,  Geococcyx,  &c.,  it  is 
large  ;  on  the  other  hand  there  are  dinosaurs,  e.g.  Laosaurus 
consors,  in  which  the  prepubis  is  generally  reduced — to  a 
length  of  not  more  than  one-third  of  the  postpubis  (pubis 
of  birds).  The  opposite  extreme  is  reached  by  Triceratops, 
where  it  is  the  postpubis  which  is  less  than  a  third  of  the  pre- 
pubis, and  Ceratosaurus,  where  it  is  even  further  reduced. 

It  is  not,  however,  only  in  the  pubes  that  the  pelvis  of 
the  dinosaurs  is  like  that  of  birds.  In  those  reptiles  the  ilia 
were  extended  forwards  and  backwards,  as  in  birds,  and  in 
Ceratosaurus  at  any  rate  the  three  bones  were  all  firmly 
ankylosed,  as  in  all  birds  save  Arch&opteryx,  where  the 
separation  of  the  bones  conforms  to  what  is  found  in  the 
vast  majority  of  the  dinosaurs.  Laosaurus,  which  has  just 
been  mentioned,  is  one  of  the  most  birdlike  of  dinosaurs. 
'  The  two  species  of  the  genus  first  described  by  the  writer,' 
remarks  Professor  MAESH,  '  show  these  avian  features  best 
of  all,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  tell  many  of  the  isolated 
remains  from  those  of  birds.'  Of  the  cretaceous  dinosaurs 
the  same  author  observes,  '  Others  were  diminutive  in  size, 
and  so  birdlike  in  form  and  structure  that  their  remains 
can  be  distinguished  with  difficulty,  if  at  all,  from  those  of 
birds.'  OrnitJiomimus,  as  its  name  denotes,  is  one  of  those 
especially  annectent  dinosaurs.  In  this  genus  the  third 
metatarsal  is  crowded  backwards  behind  the  second  and 
fourth,  as  in  many  birds.  But  the  dinosaurian  metatarsals 
which  are  most  strikingly  like  those  of  birds  are  of  Cerato- 
saunts,  which  MAESH  has  figured  side  by  side  with  those 


156         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

of  a  penguin,  where  the  bones  show  greater  traces  than 
in  any  other  birds  of  their  distinctness,  and  are  furthermore 
shorter  than  is  the  rule.  In  dinosaurs  generally  those  bones 
are  separate,  but  not  in  Ceratosaurus,  where  the  degree  of 
fusion  is  almost  exactly  that  of  Aptenodytes, 

Furthermore  in  some  dinosaurs,  as  in  birds,  the  inter- 
medium is  prolonged  upwards  as  the  ascending  process  of 
the  astragalus. 

The  proportions  of  the  long  bones  of  the  hind  limb  are 
distinctly  birdlike  in  some  dinosaurs.  In  Laosaurus,  for 
example,  the  femur,  as  in  birds,  is  shorter  than  the  tibia,  the 
reverse  occurring  in  most  forms.  In  the  same  animal  and 
in  others  the  fibula  is  commencing  to  degenerate  ;  it  is 
decidedly  smaller  than  the  tibia. 

In  their  skulls  the  dinosaurs  show  no  marked  approxima- 
tion to  birds ;  there  are  nevertheless  one  or  two  features 
which  may  be  remarked  upon  in  this  connection.  The 
earliest  known  forms  from  the  Trias  have  perhaps  the  most 
birdlike  forms  of  skull.  MARSH  comments  upon  the  light- 
ness and  avian  appearance  of  the  skull  of  Anchisaurus  ;  it 
has  moderately  developed  basipterygoid  processes  instead  of 
those  of  such  great  length  that  are  apt  to  characterise  the 
dinosaurs.  The  great  extension  backwards  of  the  premaxil- 
laries  in  some  dinosaurs  is  an  avian  characteristic  ;  this  is 
seen  especially  well  in  Diplodocus  and  Claosaurus.  In  the 
former  animal,  as  in  some  others,  the  twro  vomers  diverge 
widely  posteriorly,  as  in  many  birds  ;  and  in  the  restoration 
of  the  under  surface  of  the  skull  in  this  dinosaur  the  vomers 
have  a  very  birdlike  appearance. 

Finally  the  height  at  which  the  transverse  processes  of 
the  vertebrae  are  borne  seems,  as  HUXLEY  has  pointed  out, 
to  suggest  birdlike  respiratory  organs,  while  the  hollowness 
of  many  of  the  bones  in  many  dinosaurs  points  in  the  same 
direction.  It  is,  however,  undoubtedly  in  the  pelvis  and 
hind  limb  that  the  most  striking  likenesses  to  birds  are 
shown  by  the  dinosaurs.  It  has  been  attempted  to  put  this 
down  merely  to  bipedal  progression.  '  It  may  be  said,' 
remarked  Professor  HUXLEY,  '  that  all  birds  stand  upon 


THE   AFFINITIES   OF   BIRDS  Io7 

their  hinder  feet,  and  that,  as  the  Ornithoscelida  did  the  same, 
the  resemblance  of  structure  arises  from  a  resemblance  of 
function.  But  I  doubt  if  the  majority  of  the  Dinosauria 
stood  more  habitually  upon  their  hind  limbs  than  kangaroos 
or  jerboas  do  ;  and,  unless  there  was  some  genetic  connection 
between  the  t\vo,  I  see  no  reason  why  the  hind  limbs  of 
Ornithoscelida  should  resemble  those  of  birds  more  than  they 
resemble  those  of  kangaroos.'  In  addition  to  this  it  may  be 
pointed  out  that  Hallopus,  which  appears  to  have  been  very 
probably  a  leaping  dinosaur,  has  not  the  specially  ornithic 
form  of  limb  ;  it  has  large  pubes  and  no  postpubes. 

A  recent  description  by  Mr.  E.  T.  NEWTON  1  of  the  skull, 
brain  cast,  and  cast  of  the  auditory  organ  in  a  pterodactyle, 
Scaphogiiathus  Purdoni,  shows  certain  most  interesting 
resemblances  between  the  pterosaurians  and  birds.  It  is 
possible  that  this  pterosaurian,  like  Pteranodon,  possessed  a 
homy  beak  and  no  teeth.  But  the  presence  or  absence  of  a 
beak  or  of  teeth  is  no  more  distinctive  of  birds  (cf.  Archceo- 
pteryx)  than  of  reptiles.  The  skull  shows  more  positive 
points  of  likeness.  In  the  first  place,  the  bones  of  the 
pterodactyle  cranium  are  early  ankylosed  and  well  anky- 
losed,  being  in  this  particular  avian  and  not  lacertilian. 
The  large  size  and  backward  extension  of  the  single  pre- 
maxillary  bone  ( =  two  fused  premaxillae)  agree  with  that  of 
birds  and  contrasts  with  that  of  lizards.  The  palate  shows 
also  certain  interesting  resemblances,  more  especially  to 
both  emu  and  cassowary.  As  in  the  struthious  birds  and  in 
lizards  also  the  palatines  are  borne  off  from  the  middle  line 
by  the  pterygoids  ;  the  latter  bones,  moreover,  as  in  the  emu, 
articulate  at  their  posterior  ends  with  both  quadrate  and 
basipterygoid  processes.  The  vomer  too  is  birdlike  in  being 
pushed  backwards,  owing  to  the  extent  of  the  premaxillse, 
and  in  being  thin,  apparently  single  and  bifurcate  posteriorly. 
Other  general  resemblances  in  the  skeleton  are  the  develop- 
ment of  air  cavities  in  the  bone,  the  large  size  of  the  orbit 
—which  may,  however,  in  the  pterodactyles  have  had  some 

1  '  On  the  Skull,  Brain,  and  Auditory  Organ  of  a  New  Species  of  Pterosaurian,' 
Phil.  Trans.  1888,  B,  p.  503. 


158         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 

relation  to  nocturnal  habits — and  the  presence  of  a  keel  upon 
the  sternum. 

It  is  possible,  though  far  from  certain,  that  Scaphogna- 
thus  had  not  that  characteristic  reptilian  bone,  the  os  tnnis- 
versum. 

Finally,  the  general  shape  of  the  scapula  and  the  angle 
that  it  makes  with  the  coracoid  are  birdlike  in  the  pterodac- 
tyles. 

The  brain  of  the  pterodactyles  seems  also  to  have  pre- 
sented avian  characters  ;  the  optic  lobes  are  pushed  aside  by 
the  large  cerebellum,  which  had  well-developed  floccular 
lobes.  In  the  reptile's  brain  the  optic  lobes  intervene 
between  the  cerebrum  and  cerebellum. 

The  pelvis  of  the  pterodactyles  has  some  likenesses  to 
that  of  birds.  The  ilium  has  an  extension  in  front  of  as  wrell 
as  behind  the  acetabulum ;  and,  if  the  opinions  of  SEELEY 
are  to  be  agreed  to,  there  is  a  rather  backwardly  directed 
pubis,  more  or  less  fused  with  the  ischium,  and  a  long  and 
thin  forwardly  directed  piece,  the  prepubis  of  dinosaurs  and 
the  pectineal  process  of  birds. 

The  main  difficulty,  however,  in  the  wray  of  comparing 
pterodactyles  and  birds  is  in  the  fact  that  both  can  fly,  and 
that  each  has  acquired  the  power  of  flight  by  a  different 
method.  Having  acquired  the  power  of  flight  it  seems  clear 
that  certain  of  the  points  of  resemblance  between  them  may 
easily  be  due  to  that  mode  of  life  and  may  have  been  inde- 
pendently arrived  at. 


THE   CLASSIFICATION   OF  BIRDS 

PROFESSOR  NEWTON'S  article  '  Ornithology  '  in  the  '  En- 
cyclopaedia Britannica,'  and  the  preliminary  sketch  of  Dr. 
GADOW  in  Bronn's  '  Thierreich,'  contain  a  digest  of,  and 
criticisms  upon,  the  main  schemes  of  classification  of  this 
group  which  have  as  yet  appeared.  I  shall,  therefore,  refer 
the  reader  to  those  works  for  the  history  of  the  subject. 
There  can  be  no  question,  in  my  opinion,  that  birds  must 
be  primarily  divided  into  two  great  divisions,  viz.  Saururae 
and  Ornithurae,  the  first  to  contain  Arch&opteryx  and  possibly 
Ijaopterijr,  the  latter  the  rest  of  birds,  both  living  and  extinct. 
As  to  the  Ornithurae,  while  there  is  a  very  general  agreement 
with  the  main  subdivisions — no  one  probably  will  quarrel 
seriously  with  the  divisions  adopted  in  the  present  work— 
no  one  has  (to  my  mind)  satisfactorily  arranged  the  different 
groups  with  reference  to  each  other.  More  especially  does 
it  appear  to  me  that  the  majority  of  ornithologists  are  in 
error  concerning  the  position  of  the  picarian  and  passerine 
birds. 

In  considering  a  scheme  of  classification  it  is  clear  that 
we  must  bear  in  mind  indications  of  the  descent  of  birds. 
Existing  schemes  have  savoured  too  much  of  a  mere  sorting 

O  O 

by  combining  in  various  ways  characters  which  are  dis- 
tinctively bird  characters.  However  unsuccessful  the  con- 
struction of  phylogenetic  trees  has  been,  it  is  abundantly 
plain  that  that  must  be  the  line  to  take  in  arranging  a  group 
scientifically.  It  follows,  therefore,  that  in  sketching,  at 
any  rate,  the  main  outlines  of  our  scheme  attention  must 
be  paid  only,  or  chiefly,  to  those  characters  which  birds 
have  inherited  from  their  reptilian  ancestors. 


160         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 

Now  this  at  once  lands  us  in  a  difficulty,  which  has  been 
too  lightly  regarded  by  many  systematists.  Phylogenetic 
schemes  used  to  be  boldly  linear,  and  even  so  recently  as 
the  attempt  of  FUEBBINGER  the  family  tree  savours  a  little 
too  much  of  the  linear  arrangement.  Now  the  imperfect 
remains  of  birds  that  have  come  down  to  us  from  tertiary 
times  show  that  the  modern  types  of  birds  were  fully 
differentiated  even  then  in  addition  to  a  few  extinct  forms, 
such  as  Odontopteryx  toliapicus  (if  this  benot  asteganopod). 
But  beyond  that  point  there  is  the  most  scanty  record  of 
bird  life,  limited  to  the  Cretaceous  Ichthyornithidae  and 
Hesperornithida?,,  with  a  few  obscurer  forms,  and  to  the 
Jurassic  Archceopteryx.  So  emphatically  were  all  these 
creatures  birds  that  the  actual  origin  of  Aves  is  barely  hinted 
at  in  the  structure  of  these  remarkable  remains.  Moreover, 
at  least  in  the  case  of  Ichthyoniis,  they  depart  fully  as 
widely  from  any  bird  with  the  required  '  mixed '  characters 
as  any  living  group,  while  Hesperornis  can  with  safety  be 
relegated  to  the  neighbourhood  of  the  existing  divers.  We 
get,  therefore,  no  help  whatever  from  the  Cretaceous  birds, 
and,  if  any,  only  the  scantiest  assistance  from  Archteopteryx, 
in  determining  what  are  archaic  characters  in  birds.  There 
are  no  criteria  by  which  we  can  assert  with  any  degree  of 
safety  the  relative  positions  of  this  and  that  existing  group  ; 
nor  has  the  study  of  the  comparative  embryology  of  birds 
as  yet  advanced  sufficiently  far  to  give  any  results,  except 
in  isolated  characters ;  such  indications  are  the  relatively 
primitive  character  of  the  basipterygoid  processes,  at  least 
in  certain  groups ;  for  the  gulls  which  are  without  them 
when  adult,  have  them  as  young  chicks,  as  have  in  the 
adult  condition  most  of  their  near  allies,  the  Limicolse.  It 
may,  therefore,  so  far  be  inferred  that  the  gulls  are  a 
modification  of  the  limicoline  type  and  not  vice  versa. 

It  would  be  perhaps  held  that  any  type  in  which  a 
number  of  undoubtedly  reptilian  characters  had  survived 
would  be  on  a  lower  level  of  organisation  than  other  types 
in  which  fewer  or  no  such  characters  could  be  discovered. 
But  the  few  specially  reptilian  features  in  the  organisation 


THE   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS  161 

of  birds  have,  so  to  speak,  been  distributed  with  such  exceed- 
ing fairness  through  the  class  that  no  type  has  any  great 
advantage  over  its  fellows.  PARKER  has  collected  together 
some  of  the  reptilian  survivals,  and  to  his  series  a  few  others 
may  be  added.  The  rudimentary  organ  of  Jacobson  found 
by  T.  J.  PARKER  in  Apteryx  is  a  suggestion  of  the  reptile  ; 
but  we  do  not  know  enough  about  the  development  of  other 
birds  (except  the  struthious,  where  PARKER  found  the  same 
rudiments  himself)  to  lay  much  weight  upon  the  discovery 
as  indicative  of  the  low  position  of  Apteryx  in  the  avian 
system.  The  supra-orbital  chain  of  bones  is  also  on  the 
same  grounds  an  archaic  character ;  but  they  exist  in 
such  widely  different  types  as  tinamous,  Psophia,  Menura, 
and  quails.  The  double  vomer  is  reptilian  ;  this  bone  is 
double  or  nearly  so  in  struthious  birds,  in  Hcsperornis, 
woodpeckers,  and  even  in  passerines  and  other  types  with  a 
broad  vomer.  PARKER  has  compared  the  '  os  uncinatum  ' 
with  the  anterior  suspensory  cartilage  of  the  tadpole's  jaw 
apparatus  ;  this  is  found  in  so  many  and  such  various  forms 
as  Cariama,  Fregata,  Tubinares,  Musophagida?,  Steatornis, 
&c.  Basipterygoid  processes  are  distinctly  reptilian,  found 
as  they  are  in  so  many  forms  of  reptiles.  But  among  birds 
they  occur  in  nearly  every  big  group,  and  are  therefore  most 
undistinctive.  The  pectineal  process,  if  it  is  invariably — as 
T.  J.  PARKER  says  it  is  in  Apteryx — the  joint  product  of  pubis 
and  ilium,  is  not  exactly  comparable  to  the  supposed  corre- 
sponding process  of  the  dinosaurian  pelvis ;  but  in  any  case  it  is 
found  in  Geococcyx  and  some  other  birds  far  away  from  the 
Struthiones  and  the  tinamous.  A  large  number  of  vertebrae 
in  the  tail  is  reptilian  ;  but  not  only  Arcliceopteryx  but  also 
the  swan  has  a  long  tail.  Opisthocoelous  vertebrae  are 
found  in  the  Alcse,  penguins,  and  gulls,  not  to  mention  the 
darters  and  parrots. 

As  to  the  viscera,  HUXLEY  showed  the  close  likeness  be- 
tween the  various  membranes  which  divide  the  coelom  and  the 
corresponding  membranes  in  the  crocodile,  and  I  endeavoured 
to  show  that  the  ostrich  is  not  in  these  particulars  more 
reptilian  than  many  other  birds.  The  partial  persistence 

M 


162         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

of  the  left  aortic  arch  is  an  approach  to  the  reptile  ;  but  birds 
belonging  to  the  most  diverse  orders  have  this  arch  left  in 
varying  degrees  of  perfection  ;  so  that  no  stress  can  be  laid 
upon  this  anatomical  fact  as  a  mark  of  low  position.  It  has 
been  pointed  out  that  the  Struthiones  are  unlike  other  birds 
in  the  absence  of  a  syrinx  ;  and  in  the  absence  of  this 
specially  bird  organ  they  approach  so  far  to  the  lower 
forms.  This  is  not,  in  the  first  place,  true  of  all  the  Struthiones, 
for  Rhea  has,  as  has  been  pointed  out,  a  syrinx  fully  as  typical 
as  that  of  most  birds,  while  the  American  vultures  and  even 
the  storks  have  nothing  in  the  way  of  a  specialised  syrinx. 
In  fact,  without  going  into  further  detail,  it  seems  impossible 
to  select  any  existing  group  of  bird  which  is  distinctly  more 
reptilian  than  any  other. 

Since  positive  characters  appear  to  fail  us  in  discriminat- 
ing between  the  relative  positions  of  the  several  groups  of 
birds,  it  seems  to  be  not  unreasonable  to  turn  for  light  to 
negative  characters.  Birds  as  birds  have  many  peculiarities 
of  organisation,  which  are  impossible  in  other  animals ;  for 
example,  patagial  muscles  cannot  exist  without  a  patagium 
to  contain  them.  It  may  therefore  be  permissible  to  draw 
with  caution  some  inferences  from  the  absence  or  simplicity 
of  certain  peculiarly  ornithic  structures  which,  it  appears 
obvious,  must  have  originated  within  the  class.  The  lower 
types  will  surely  possess  fewer  of  these  essentially  ornithic 
organs  or  modified  organs. 

There  is  a  general  belief  in  the  modified  character  of  all 
the  birds  which  GARKOD  placed  in  his  subclass  Anomalogonatae. 
Nevertheless  there  is  something  to  be  said  in  favour  of  their 
primitive  nature.  Without  absolutely  urging  the  acceptance 
of  this  view,  it  may  be  useful  to  refer  briefly  to  certain 
reasons  which  might  be  alleged  in  support  of  such  a  placing 
of  the  Pico-Passeres.  Their  small  to  moderate  size  is  to 
some  extent  an  argument.  The  most  ancient  mammalia 
and  reptiles  are  small  as  compared  with  some  of  their  later 
and  more  modified  representatives.  Universal  distribution 
is  another  argument,  as  is  possibly  chiefly  arboreal  life.  In 
anatomical  structure  we  find  that  many  essentially  ornithic 


'HIE   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS  103 

characters  have  not  yet  put  in  an  appearance,  or  have  done 
so  only  to  a  small  extent.  There  is  no  member  of  the 
group,  wide  though  it  is,  in  which  there  is  an  ambiens,  a 
special  bird  muscle.  It  may  be  that  GADOW'S  discovery  of 
a  small  independent  slip  of  the  rectus  femoris,  which  he 
interprets  as  a  rudimentary  ambiens,  is  really  the  beginning 
of  this  characteristic  muscle.  The  remarkable  peculiarities 
of  this  muscle  seem  to  forbid  the  notion  that  it  is  the  direct 
descendant  of  anything  reptilian.  And  we  have  the  un- 
doubted fact  that,  apart  from  the  possible  rudiment  already 
referred  to,  it  is  present  in  no  pico-passerine  bird.  If  it 
had  disappeared  in  them  there  would  be  here  and  there  a 
rudiment  left.  But  nothing  of  the  kind  has  been  hinted  by 
GARROD  and  FORBES,  who  between  them  dissected  so  many 
of  these  birds,  and  who  would  have  been  especially  on  the 
look-out  for  such  a  point.  I  should  therefore  be  disposed 
to  disagree  at  once  with  GARROD 's  opinion  that  those  birds 
which  have  lost  the  ambiens  '  may  be  set  down  as  having 
possessed  the  muscle  in  their  ancestral  form.'  The  ambiens 
is  so  purely  a  bird  muscle,  though  it  may  doubtless  have  its 
homologue  among  reptiles,  that  one  cannot  but  think  that  it 
was  acquired  within  the  class  ;  and  the  facts  discovered  by 
MITCHELL  (see  above)  entirely  support  this  way  of  look- 
ing at  the  matter,  and  indeed  suggested  it.  As  to  the 
muscular  system  of  the  wing,  a  highly  characteristic  muscle 
is  the  expansor  secundariorum  ;  this  was  supposed  for 
some  time  to  be  absent  in  the  group  under  consideration, 
but  it  has  been  found  to  occur  in  some  of  them.  In  the 
majority  of  those  in  which  it  does  occur  its  structure  is 
decidedly  more  rudimentary  than  in  some  of  the  Homalogo- 
natse.  It  is  true  that  FURBRINGER  regards  this  muscle  as 
the  abortive  remnant  of  a  reptilian  muscle.  But  this  state- 
ment cannot  be  made  about  the  patagial  muscles,  which  are 
essentially  ornithic.  . 

Now  it  is  noteworthy  that,  with  the  exception  of  the 
colies,  not  a  single  bird  referable  to  the  great  group  of  Ano- 
malogonatae  has  a  biceps  slip,  while  in  the  majority  of  them 
the  tendon  of  the  tensor  brevis  is  exceedingly  simple,  being 

11  '2 


164         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

without  the  numerous  subdivisions  so  often  observable  in 
the  same  muscle  in  the  (hypothetically)  higher  birds.  Nor 
is  there  the  patagial  fan,  the  junction  between  the  tendons 
of  the  longus  and  the  brevis,  a  character,  again,  so  frequent 
among  the  larger  birds.  The  complications  in  this  case 
seem  to  be  much  more  likely  an  effect  of  specialisation  than 
that  the  simple  conditions  observable  in  the  picarian  and 
other  allied  birds  should  be  due  to  a  process  of  degenera- 
tion. 

The  simplicity  and  relative  shortness  of  the  gut  is  a 
matter,  which  is  perhaps  of  importance  in  this  connection. 
The  average  relative  length  of  the  gut  is  much  less  on  the 
whole  in  the  Pico-Passerines  than  in  any  other  group.  There 
are,  of  course,  some  startling  exceptions,  but  the  general 
statement  holds.  As  to  the  caeca,  it  must  be  confessed  that 
they  are  as  a  rule  small  or  absent.  But  the  Coraciidse  and 
the  Todida?  are  exceptions.  The  fact  that  both  lobes  of  the 
liver  are  frequently  in  this  group  of  birds  enclosed  in  separate 
compartments,  separated  from  the  subomental  space,  seems 
to  me  to  be  a  vestige  of  a  condition  such  as  that  which  is 
found  in  the  crocodile.  On  the  other  hand  certain  of  the 
organs  of  the  body  show  great  variety  and  specialisation  ; 
particularly  is  this  the  case  with  the  syrinx  ;  but  to  find 
most  of  the  organs  of  the  body  in  a  primitive  condition, 
while  others  are  greatly  specialised,  is  precisely  what  is  so 
often  found  in  what  are  believed  to  be  archaic  types. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  Archesopteryx,  far 
though  it  may  have  diverged  from  the  ancestral  stock,  has 
retained  more  of  the  reptile  than  any  other  form  known  to 
us.  One  or  two  of  the  characters  are  shared  by  that  large 
assemblage  of  birds  which  has  been  termed  the  Ano- 
malogonatae. 

In  the  first  place  the  structure  of  the  foot  of  fheArchceo- 
ptenjx  is  that  found  in  passerine  birds.  That  the  primitive 
bird  was  arboreal  seems  likely,  and  it  is  not  surprising  to 
find  that  this  mode  of  life  has  led  to  various  specialisations 
in  the  foot,  such  as  we  find  in  the  hornbills,  &c.  The 


THE   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS  Kir, 

.  I  rchceoptenjx  has  the  smallest  number  of  cervical  vertebra) 
of  any  bird  (ten),  a  fact  which  recalls  the  nine  vertebrae  or  so 
of  the  cervical  region  of  lizards  and  crocodiles.  Now,  among 
other  recent  birds  there  are  none  which  have  a  smaller 
number  than  that  possessed  by  certain  passerines.  Fifteen 
is  perhaps  the  average  number  of  these  vertebra?,  among 
birds ;  but  among  passerines  the  low  number  of  thirteen  is 
to  be  met  with.  Nearly  all  the  Anomalogonatse  are  holorhinal, 
as  was  the  ArchcBopteryx.  It  is  doubtful,  however,  whether 
this  particular  fact  advances  my  argument,  as  there  are 
reasons  (see  p.  144)  for  considering  the  schizorhinal  arrange- 
ment to  be  the  older,  and  for  looking  upon  the  holorhinal  as 
a  derivative. 

There  remains  for  consideration  the  large  assemblage  of 
birds  which,  taken  together,  correspond  to  the  HomalogonataB 
of  GARROD.  In  a  preliminary  way  we  may  regard,  as  I 
have  pointed  out  above,  four  characters  at  any  rate  as 
primitive. 

These  are  the  presence  of  basipterygoid  processes,  the 
possession  of  two  carotid  arteries  and  of  the  fifth  cubital 
remex,  and  the  simplicity  of  the  intestinal  coils.  The  only 
birds  which  have  all  of  these  are  certain  Galli  and  certain 
Turnices.  Allowing  for  the  degeneration  of  the  wing,  the 
struthious  birds  may  be  referred  to  a  nearly  equally  low 
place  in  the  system.  In  many  groups,  however,  we  find  a 
near  approximation  to  this  presumably  primitive  condition. 
Thus  among  the  anserine  birds  Palamedea  is  deficient  only 
in  the  fifth  remex.  Among  '  Gralla? '  it  is  only  the  same 
character  that  is  wanting  in  certain  forms  to  complete  the 
four  requisite  characters.  And  some  of  them — e.g.  Cariama, 
Psophia — have  this  elsewhere  missing  feather,  though  those 
particular  forms  have  not  some  of  the  other  characters. 
Opisthocomus,  the  cuckoos,  and  Musophagidas  are  not  far 
off  from  the  base  of  the  series,  while  the  trogons,  if  they 
had  both  carotids,  would  be  among  the  (hypothetically) 
lowest  groups.  The  facts  in  question  may  be  thus  tabu- 
lated : 


106 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


(  ';mitiil<      linsijit.  Proc. 

Kit'th  Jti-inex 

Intestine 

Colyinbi     . 

2  or  1 



Complex 

Sphenisci  . 

2 

4-    ? 

Complex 

Tubinares  . 

2                 4-  or  - 

— 

Complex 

Steganopod.es    . 

2  or  1 

— 

Complex 

Herodiones 

2 

— 

Simple  (in 

Platalea) 

Anseres 

2                 + 

— 

Complex 

Palamedece 

2                 + 

— 

Simple 

Accipitres  . 

2                 +  or  - 

—                         i 

Complex 

Tinami 

2                 4- 

+ 

Complex 

T/irnices    . 

2  or  1         4- 

+ 

9 

Galli 

2  or  1         + 

4-  or  - 

Simple 

Ralli 

2 

+  (Podica) 

Complex 

Grues 

2                 _ 

+  (Psoplua,  &c.) 

Complex 

Oticles 

2  or  1 

— 

Complex 

Limicolce  . 

2                 +  or  - 

— 

Simple  (some) 

Pterocletes 

2                  + 

— 

Complex 

Columbse   . 

2                 +  or  - 

+  or  - 

Complex 

Alcsc 

2  or  1 

— 

9 

Opisthocomi 

2 

T 

Complex 

Cuculi 

2                 _ 

-j- 

o 

Mu.sophagi 

2                 _ 

4 

Complex 

Strutliiones 

2  or  1         + 

4-     (?) 

Simple 

Psittaci 

•2  or  1 

Complex 

Strigcs 

2                 + 

— 

Simple 

Caprimulgi 

2                 4   or  - 

— 

Simple 

Pico-Passerrs    . 

2  or  1          -  or  4- 

4  or  - 

Simple  (?) 

I  have  italicised  in  the  above  list  those  groups  which 
come  near  to  the  supposed  primitive  condition ;  and  it  will 
be  observed  that  those  groups  which  are  italicised  are  enough 
to  account  for  the  ancestry  of  the  rest.  The  main  difficulty 
is  perhaps  presented  by  the  Cuculi  ;  but  it  may  well  be  that 
that  group  will  ultimately  prove  to  have  a  simple  intestinal 
tract.  It  will  be  observed  also  that  the  groups  in  question 
comprise  representatives  of  all  the  five  large  divisions  of 
existing  birds  admitted  by  GADOW,  and  of  all  the  corre- 
spondingly large  divisions  of  FUEBEINGEE.  Incidentally, 
therefore,  I  find  myself  in  reassuring  agreement  with  those 
authorities.  In  the  systematic  part  of  this  work  I  have  to 
some  extent  discussed  the  mutual  affinities  of  these  different 
groups. 


ANOMALOGQNAT^E  167 


GROUP  ORNITHUR/E 

ANOMALOGONATJE  ' 

Definition. — Generally  quincubital.  Ambiens  and  accessory  femoro- 
caudal  always  absent  ;  biceps  slip  rarely  present.  Cervical 
vertebrse,  13-15.  Atlas  generally  perforated  by  odontoid  process. 
Skxill  holorhinal. 

This  group  of  birds  is  equivalent  to  the  similarly  named 
group  of  G-ABROD,  with  the  sole  addition  of  the  Striges.  The 
total  absence  of  the  ambiens,  even  of  all  traces  of  that  muscle 
(see  p.  95),  is  to  my  mind  a  sufficient  reason  for  bracketing 
together  all  these  birds.  I  am  of  opinion  that  the  ambiens 
is  not  degenerate  in  them,  but  that  it  has  not  yet  appeared.2 
It  must  be  admitted  that  there  are  not  many  other  charac- 
ters that  run  through  the  whole  group.  There  are,  never- 
theless, certain  peculiarities  of  structure  that  are  confined  Or 
nearly  confined  to  this  group.  Thus,  with  the  sole  exception 
of  the  parrots,  a  forked  manubrium  sterni  is  a  peculiarity  of 
the  Anomalogonatse  ;  so  too,  with  the  same  exception,  is  the 
presence  of  a  cucullaris  propatagialis.  Again,  it  is  only  here 
and  in  the  parrots  that  the  syrinx  has  so  complicated  a 
musculature.  The  very  prevalent  shortness  of  the  intestine 
is  a  fact  (not,  it  is  true,  without  exceptions)  not  to  be  ignored 
in  considering  the  claims  of  this  group  to  existence.  The 
feet  are  nearly  always  anisodactyle  or  zygodactyle,  there 
being  but  few  other  birds  not  referable  to  this  group  in  which 
that  structure  of  foot  is  to  be  found  ;  and  those  groups  will 
be  treated  of  later  as  possible  allies  of  the  present.  Powder- 
down  patches  are  exceedingly  rare  in  this  group,  and  but 
few  possess  the  expansor  secundariorum. 

I  allow  nineteen  separate  families  of  this  group  (whose 
main  characters  are  given  in  the  table),  of  which  some  may 
be  united  more  closely  than  others. 

1  SEEROHM,  '  An  Attempt  to  diagnose  the  Pico-Passerine  Group  of  Birds,'  &c., 
Ibis,  1890,  p.  29. 

'-'  A  case  which  appears  to  contradict  this  statement  is  dealt  with  on  p.  l(j:-5. 


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STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


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ANOMALQGONAM  169 

In  the  above  table  I  have  used  twelve  characters.  The 
Picidae,  Bhamphastidae,  and  Capitonidae  agree  in  ten  of  these, 
and  are  undoubtedly  nearly  allied  birds.  The  Bucconidae  are 
unfortunately  not  well  known,  but  of  the  nine  characters 
which  are  set  forth  in  the  table  they  agree  in  eight  with  one 
or  other  of  the  three  families  just  mentioned. 

The  Coraciidse  and  Meropida?  agree  pretty  well  in  all  the 
characters  except  the  exact  arrangement  of  the  deep  flexor 
tendons,  the  carotids  being  variable.  There  will  be  but  little 
violence  done  if  these  groups  are  associated.  The  Cypselidae 
and  Trochilidae  clearly  come  near  together,  agreeing  as  they 
do  in  nine  of  the  selected  characters. 

The  Caprinmlgidse  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  owls  on  the 
other,  each  form  a  distinct  group  with  no  such  near  affinities 
to  any  of  the  others  as  those  which  we  have  been  considering. 

The  trogons  are  the  only  other  group  with  basipterygoid 
processes ;  they  do  not,  however,  come  very  near  to  the 
Caprimulgidae  or  to  the  owls  ;  out  of  the  selected  twelve 
characters  they  have  at  least  four  in  which  they  totally 
differ  from  the  first,  and  five  in  which  they  differ  from  the 
second.  This  group  may  be  left  as  equivalent  to  the  other 
compound  groups  already  considered. 

The  Todidaa  are  placed  by  GADOW  close  to  the  motmots  ; 
by  FORBES,  on  the  other  hand,  they  are  widely  separated. 
They  agree  with  them  in  ten  out  of  the  twelve,  showing 
thus,  it  appears  to  me,  a  considerable  nearness.  They  agree 
equally  closely  with  the  Meropida?  on  the  one  hand  and  the 
Galbulida?  on  the  other.  These  four  groups  appear  to  me  to 
be  worthy  of  association  into  one  larger  group. 

We  have  left  the  Bucerotida?,  Upupidae,  Alcedinidse,  and 
Coliidae.  The  kingfishers  undoubtedly  come  near  to  all  of 
these,  in  only  at  most  four  of  the  characters  differing  from 
any  one  of  them  ;  but  they  are  as  near  to  the  motmots  and 
Rhamphastidae.  They  should  form  a  group  apart. 

The  same  may  be  said  of  the  colies  ;  they  are  very  near 
to  the  hornbills  and  kingfishers,  but  equally  near  to  the  mot- 
mots  and  Rhamphastidse  ;  we  may  therefore  place  them  in  a 
group  apart.  On  the  other  hand  the  Bucerotida3  come  nearer 


170         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF    BIRDS 

to  the  Upupidas  than  to  any  other  groups  except  the  colies 
and  Alcedinidae  ;  we  may  therefore  unite  them. 

Finally  as  to  the  passerines.  It  is  not  possible  to  place 
them  very  definitely  nearer  to  one  than  to  another  of  the 
groups  enumerated.  They  differ  at  the  lowest  in  four 
characters  from  any.  They  are,  perhaps,  furthest  away  from 
the  Bucerotidse  ;  the  two  groups,  in  fact,  are  typical  members 
each  of  them  of  the  piciform  and  passeriform  birds  of 
GAEROD.  Their  leanings  are  perhaps  to  the  Cypselidse  and 
to  the  Pici. 

These  conclusions  may  be  tabulated  as  follows  :- 

Group  A. — Aftershaft  present ;  fifth  remex  always  present. 
Muscle  formula,  AXY.  Expansor  secundariorum  present. 
Desmognathous.  Vomer  present. 

This  group  contains  the  families  Coraciidae,  Meropidae, 
Todidse,  Galbulida?,  and  Momotidae. 

By  both  G-ADOW  and  FURBRINGER  the  Galbulidse  are 
placed  nearer  to  the  Bucconida?,  and  by  inference  to  the  Pici 
(Picida3,  Bhamphastidw,  and  Capitonidse).  They  differ,  how- 
ever, from  these  by  the  presence  of  the  expansor  secundario- 
rum, which  is  so  rarely  present  among  anomalogonatous 
birds  that  when  present  it  seems  to  be  of  special  importance. 
The  most  salient  point  of  agreement  between  these  latter 
birds  is  the  form  of  the  deep  flexor  tendons.  But  the 
Bucconida?  are  so  little  known  that  they  may  be  found  to 
differ  more  than  is  at  present  suspected  from  the  Pici.  In 
this  case  it  may  be  desirable  to  separate  both  Galbulida^  and 
Bucconidas  from  the  group  with  which  I  now  associate  them 
and  place  them  nearer  together.  Of  the  group  as  at  present 
constituted  the  Todidae  have  perhaps  the  most  claims  to  be 
regarded  as  the  most  primitive  forms.  They  have  a  feathered 
oil  gland  and  long  caeca,  which  two  characters  do  not  coincide 
in  any  other  of  the  families  now  under  consideration. 

The  next  group,  that  of  the  Pici,  may  be  thus  defined  :- 

Group  B. — Fifth  remex  always  present  ;  deep  flexor 
tendon  of  type  VI.  Expansor  secundariorum  absent. 
Cucullaris  propatagialis  present.  No  caeca.  Vomer 
present. 


AX(  )M  A  LOGON  AT^E  1 7 1 

There  are  other  peculiarities  that  unite  these  birds,  which 
will  be  found  mentioned  on  p.  l^->. 

The  third  group,  containing  the  hornbills  and  hoopoos, 
may  be  thus  defined  :  — 

Group  C. — Oil  gland  feathered  ;  fifth  remex  present. 
Muscle  formula,  AXY.  No  expansor  secundariorum.  Caeca 
absent.  Skull  desmognathous. 

The  colies  are  the  only  birds  among  the  Anomalogonatae 
besides  the  Caprimulgidae  which  possess  the  biceps  slip  ;  there 
is  a  rudiment  of  this  structure  in  Bncorvux. 

The  remaining  families  are  treated  of  separately  and  need 
not  be  defined  here. 

This  arrangement,  nearly  coincident  with  that  of  GADOW, 
is  widely  different  from  that  of  GARROD  and  FORBES.  The 
former  divided  the  birds  (excl.  Striges)  into  the  three  groups 
of  Piciformes,  Passeriformes,  and  Cypseliformes.  They  were 
thus  defined  :- 

Piciformes. — Oil  gland  tufted  ;  ca3ca  absent  ;  external 
branch  of  pectoral  tract  given  off  at  commencement  of  breast. 
Muscle  formula,  (A)XY.  Picida3,  Capitonida?,  Upupidse, 
Bucerotidae,  Coliida?,  Alcedinidae,  Momotidse. 

Passeriformes. — Oil  gland  nude  ;  caeca  present  ;  pectoral 
tract  simple  or  with  external  branch  given  off  beyond  middle 
of  breast.  Muscle  formula,  AX(Y).  Passeres,  Bucconidae  (?), 
Galbulidae,  Coraciidae,  Meropidse,  Trogonidae. 

Cypseliformes. — Oil  gland  nude  ;  caeca  absent.  Muscle 
formula,  A. 

To  these  FORBES  added  a  fourth  group  Todiformes,  on 
account  of  its  having  at  once  caeca  and  a  tufted  oil  gland. 
This  latter  group  was  regarded  by  him  as  most  nearly  repre- 
senting the  ancestral  anomalogonatous  bird. 


172         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


PASSERES 

Definition. —  Oil  gland  nude.  Skull  segithognathous.  Atlas  perforated 
by  odontoid  process.  One  carotid,  left.  Caeca  present,  small.' 
Muscle  formula,  AXY.-  No  biceps  slip  or  expansor  secunda- 
riorum. 

This  is  an  enormous  group  of  birds,  numbering  over 
6,000  species,  which  are  spread  over  the  entire  globe.  As  a 
rule  they  are  of  small  or  moderate  size ;  but  some  large 
species,  such  as  the  raven  and  other  Corvidse,  are  included 
in  the  assemblage.  In  spite  of  the  numerous  species  and  of 
a  certain  amount  of  differentiation  in  external  form,  the  group 
is  structurally  a  uniform  one,  the  difference  being  in  cha- 
racters which  have  not  as  a  rule  been  regarded  as  of  primary 
importance. 

In  all  Passeres  the  foot  has  this  structure  :  the  first  toe  is 
directed  backwards,  and  none  of  the  other  toes  are  ever 
changed  in  position.  Cliolornis  is  exceptional  in  that  the 
fourth  toe  is  abortive. 

GAEEOD  noted,  some  years  since,  another  peculiar  character 
of  the  group,  which  may  possibly  be  universal,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Menura  and  Atrichia.  This  concerns  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  tendon  of  the  patagialis  brevis  ;  and  the  passerine 
disposition  may  be  understood  from  a  comparison  of  the  two 
descriptions.  In  the  passerine  the  tendon  of  the  muscle 
does  not  end  upon  the  tendon  of  the  extensor,  as  it  does 
in  the  picarian  bird,  but,  though  attached  to  it  firmly, 
retains  its  independence  and  runs  back  to  be  attached  near 
it  to  the  extensor  condyle  of  the  radius.  This  difference, 
though  small,  appears  to  be  constant  to  the  Passeres.  Another 
character  dealt  with  on  p.  41  of  the  present  work  may  be 
also  an  exclusively  passerine  character.  In  birds  belonging 
to  the  present  family  the  oblique  septa,  instead  of  having  a 
separate  attachment  to  the  sternum,  are  either  not  attached 

1  In  a  specimen  of   Gracula  intermedia  the  casca  were  as  long  as  half  an 
inch,  an  exceptional  length. 
'•  Very  rarely  AX  — . 


PA6SEKES  173 

at  all,  lying  loosely  over  the  liver,  or  have  but  one  attach- 
ment, which  they  share  with  the  falciform  ligament. 

It  is  very  general — but  there  are  a  few  exceptions,  which 
will  be  dealt  with  later — for  the  sternum  to  have  a  forked 
manubrium  in  front  and  a  single  pair  of  notches  behind. 

The  number  of  rect rices  present  among  passerine  birds 
varies.  They  are,  indeed,  completely  absent  in  wrens  of  the 
genus  P)ioepijga.  Twelve  is  the  usual  number,  but  ten  only 
occur  in  Xeiiicus,  Plirenotrix,  and  Edoliiis,  while  Menu r a 
snperbah&s  sixteen.  The  aftershaft  is  '  very  weak  and  downy  ' 
when  present,  and  is  sometimes  (e.g.  Paradisea  rubra)  absent 
altogether.  As  to  the  pteryloxis,  we  may  take  Ampelis 
cedronon,  recently  described  by  SHUFELDT/  as  an  example 
of  passerine  pterylosis,  mentioning  afterwards  such  varia- 
tions from  this  type  as  are  met  with.  In  the  bird  in  question 
the  dorsal  tract  is  exceedingly  narrow  from  the  origin  in  the 
fairly  continuous  feathering  of  the  head  down  to  a  point  in 
the  pelvic  region,  where  it  is  greatly  dilated  to  form  a 
diamond-shaped  area ;  this  again  contracts  to  the  original 
dimensions,  and  the  tract  concludes  a  little  way  in  front  of 
the  base  of  the  oil  gland.  From  the  lateral  angles  of  the 
diamond-shaped  area  a  tract  runs  to  the  feathering  of  the 
legs.  On  either  side  of  the  oil  gland  arises  a  short  tract, 
which  does  not  leave  the  trunk,  but  appears  to  be  the  hinder 
part  of  the  femoral  tract  of  some  other  birds.  It  is  perhaps 
noteworthy  that  it  is  very  similar  to  the  corresponding  one 
of  the  Bucconida3  and  Capitonidse,  also,  however,  of  the 
kingfishers. 

The  ventral  tract  divides  early  on  the  neck,  and  on  the 
breast  is  increased  in  breadth,  the  outer  rows  of  feathers 
being  much  stronger  than  the  inner  set ;  the  latter  (not  the 
former)  are  continued  down  to  the  cloacal  orifice,  which 
they  completely  surround  by  a  narrowish  band  of  feathers. 
The  humeral  tracts,  which  are  strong,  are  connected  with 
the  head  feathering  by  a  special  neck  band  as  wide  as  the 
dorsal  tract.  NITZSCH  does  not  figure  this  connection  or 
that  of  the  diamond-shaped  dorsal  area  of  feathers  with  the 

1  In  a  paper  dealing  with  Macrochires  in  J.  Linn.  Soc.  vol.  xx. 


174         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

femoral  feathering  ;  but  apart  from  this  the  same  type  of 
pterylosis  occurs  in  many  types,  such  as  Motacilla,  Certliia, 
Oriolus,  &c.  The  principal  variation  is  offered  by  those 
passerines  in  which  the  spinal  widened  area  is  not  solid,  but 
encloses  a  space. 

We  find  this  in  Coracina  chplialoptcra  and  Selencides. 
In  others  (e.g.  EurylcBums)  there  is  the  same  ephippial  space 
within  the  dorsal  tract,  but  the  posterior  sides  of  the  diamond- 
shaped  space  are  formed  by  a  single  row  of  feathers,  which 
contrast  with  the  mass  of  feathers  which  form  the  antero- 
lateral  boundaries  of  the  space.  This  arrangement  culmi- 
nates in,  for  example,  Hiriuiclo  and  Diphyllodes,  where  the 
dorsal  tract  forks,  and  there  is  no  connection  between  the 
ends  of  the  fork  and  the  single  posterior  part  of  the  spinal 

tract.1 

The  skull  of  Passeres  has  been  mainly  investigated  by 
PARKER  and  by  SnuFELDT.'2  Corvus  may  be  taken  as  a 
type,  and  the  divergences  therefrom  noted  later.  As  are  all 
passerines,  it  is  a?githognathous  ;  the  maxillo-palatines  extend 
obliquely  outwards  and  backwards  ;  they  approach  each 
other  in  the  middle  line,  and  expand  over  the  vomer.  The 
vomer  is  broad  and  bifurcate  both  anteriorly  and  posteriorly  ; 
from  the  anterior  horns  a  small  separate  piece  of  bone  goes 

1  For  passerine  pterylosis,  see,  in  addition  to  NITZSCH,  GIEBEL,  '  On  Ptery- 
losis of  Paradisea,'  Zcitschr.  f.  d.  ges.  Naturw.  xlix.  p.  143,  and  for  Philepitta 
ibid.  p.  490 ;  SHUFELDT  has  described  Chamcea,  Journ.  Morph.  iii.  1889,  p. 
475;  HELLMANN,  '  Beitrag  zur  Ptilographie  u.  Anatomie  der  Hirnndo  mstica,' 
,/.  /.  O.  iv.  1856,  p.  360  ;  GADOW,  '  Remarks  on  the  Structure  of  Certain  Hawaian 
Birds,'  in  WILSON  and  EVANS'S  Avcs  Hawaicnses,  ii.  Sept.  1891. 

-  For  osteology  of  Passeres  see  PARKED,  '  On  the  Structure  and  Development 
of  the  Crow's  Skull,'  Month.  Micr.  Journ.  1872,  p.  217  ;  '  On  the  Development 
of  the  Skull  in  the  Tit  and  Sparrow  Hawk,'  ibid.  1873,  pp.  6,  45  ;  '  On  the 
Development  of  the  Skull  in  the  Genus  Turdus,'  ibid.  1873,  p.  102  ;  '  On 
.-Egithognathous  Birds,'  Trans.  Zool.  Soc.  ix.  p.  289,  x.  p.  251 ;  MUKIE,  '  On 
the  Skeleton  and  Lineage  of  Fregilupus,'1  P.  Z.  S.  1874,  p.  474.  LUCAS, 
'  Notes  on  the  Osteology  of  the  Thrushes,'  &c.,  P.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  xi.  1888,  p. 

173. 

SHUFELDT,  '  Osteology  of  Eremopliila,'1  Bull.  U.  S.  Gcol.  Surv.  vi.  p.  119  ; 
1  Osteology  of  Lanius,'  ibid.  p.  351 ;  '  On  the  Skeleton  in  the  Genus  Stur 
in'lltt,'  &c.,  J.  Anat.  Phys.  xxii.  p.  309;  'Osteology  of  Habia  Auk,'  v.  p.  438 ; 
'  Osteological  Notes  on  Puffins  and  Ravens,'  ibid.  p.  328  ;  GIEBEL,  '  Zur  Osteo- 
logie  d.  Gattung  OcijiderusJ  Zcitschr.  f.  d.  ges.  Naturw.  xxi.  p.  140. 


PASSEEES  .175 

on  each  side  to  the  maxillo-palatines.  These  are  the  septo- 
maxillaries  of  PARKER,  and  appear  10  remain  perfectly  dis- 
tinct in  Corvus  comix,  but  not  in  Corvusfrugilegus.  There 
are  no  basipterygoid  processes ;  the  pterygoids  have  a  long 
foot-like  attachment  (as  long  as  the  free  part  of  the  bone) 
not  only  to  the  palatines,  but  to  the  interorbital  septum  also. 
The  nares  are  holorhinal  and  pervious.  In  Corvus  comix 
the  lacrymals  reach  the  jugal  bar  ;  there  is  practically  no 
orbital  portion,  the  descending  limb  being  closely  attached 
to,  but  not  fused  with,  the  broad  and  thick  ectethmoid.  The 
mandibular  rami  have  a  large  oval  perforation  near  to  the 
articular  surface. 

Among  genera  nearly  related  to  the  Corvidae  are  various 
slight  modifications  of  skull  structure.  In  Maiutcodia,  for 
instance,  the  rostrum  is  broadly  ossified  and  fused  with  the 
co-ossified  palatal  plates  of  the  maxillae.  The  nasal  septum 
is  complete,  and  the  conjoined  ectethnioids  and  lacrymals 
are  enormously  swollen.  In  Pt  Honor  hynchus  violaceus  the 
ectethmoids  and  lacrymals  are  separate,  though  in  contact ; 
contrary  to  what  is  found  in  Core  us,  it  is  the  latter  and  not 
the  former  which  border  the  orbit  above.  The  palatal  con- 
ditions of  Mcuincodia  are  repeated  and  emphasised  in  Gym- 
norhina  and  Strepera.  There  is  a  firm  union  across  the 
middle  line  in  front  of  the  vomer,  with  which,  indeed,  the 
anterior  horns  of  the  vomer  are  ossified  in  Strepera.  In  both 
birds,  moreover,  the  pterygoids  are  fused  with  the  pala- 
tines, and  the  nostrils  are  partly  obliterated  by  bony  growth. 

The  '  desmognathism  '  thus  produced  in  the  crows  of 
'  Notogsea '  is  not  limited  to  that  family.  In  Pheiictic/is 
and  in  Cracticus  cassicus  there  is  the  same  state  of  affairs. 
Other  features  in  which  the  passerine  skull  shows  variations 
are  the  maxillo-palatines,  vomer,  and  pterygoids  ;  in  Gracula 
javanensis,  for  example,  the  pterygoid  has  a  very  limited  area 
of  articulation  with  the  palatine  ;  there  is  no  expanded  foot, 
as  in  crows,  &c. ;  the  maxillo-palatines  are  very  long  and 
slender,  actually  reaching  the  inner  plate  of  the  palatines. 
The  vomer  is  narrow  in  the  body,  though  the  two  anterior 
'  cornua '  are  thick.  Trochalopteron  is  almost  desmognathous 


176         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

in  the  sense  of  HUXLEY  ;  the  two  maxillo-palatines,  dilated 
at  their  ends,  come  absolutely  into  contact  under  the  vomer, 
the  middle  part  of  which  they  completely  cover.  In  Guis- 
calus  versicolor  the  same  arrangement  occurs,  the  maxillo- 
palatines  being  extraordinarily  slender  before  they  dilate  to 
overlap  each  other  and  to  cover  the  vomer. 

As  to  the  rest  of  the  skeleton,  Corvultur  albicollis  may 
serve  as  a  type.  There  are  fourteen  cervical  vertebrce ;  un- 
impaired hypapophyses  extend  from  the  tenth  to  the  first 
dorsal.  Five  ribs  reach  the  sternum,  to  the  keel  of  which 
the  furcula  is  joined. 

The  most  salient  variations  from  this  plan  are  shown  by 
many  genera  in  which  the  furcula  does  not  join  the  keel  of 
the  sternum,  by  Corcorax,  in  which  six  ribs  articulate  with 
the  sternum,  and  above  all  by  GymnorJiina,  where  there  is 
a  catapophysial  canal,  beginning  with  the  seventh  and 
ending  with  the  tenth  vertebra.  In  this  and  other  forms 
the  hypapophyses  of  the  last  cervical  and  the  first  dorsal 
vertebrae  are  reinforced  by  strong  lateral  catapophyses. 

In  the  table  on  the  opposite  page  are  some  intestinal 
measurements  in  inches.  The  most  noteworthy  fact  in  the 
anatomy  of  the  alimentary  tract  is  the  absence  of  the  gizzard 
in  certain  tanagers.1 

In  almost  all  Passeres  -  the  flexor  hallucis  is  absolutely 
independent  of  the  flexor  communis,  there  being  no  vinculum 
at  all. 

These  characters  are — adding  to  them  those  used  in  the 
diagnosis  of  the  family — the  only  ones  that  are  universal,  or 
nearly  so,  among  the  Passeres.  There  are,  however,  a  number 
of  anatomical  features  in  which  the  passerines  show  differ- 
ences among  themselves.  The  most  abnormal  Passeres  on 

1  Ci'.  FORBES,    '  On    the    Structure  of   the   Stomach  in    certain  Genera  of 
Tanagers,'  P.  Z.  S.  1880,  p.  143,  who  quotes  LUNI>'S  earlier  (1829)  paper  on  the 
same  matter. 

2  For  myology   of   passerines    see,    in    addition    to    GABISOD,  KLEMM,  '  Zur 
Muskulatur  der  Raben,'  Zcitschr.  f.  d.  gen.  Xnlui'ir.  xxiii.  p.  107  ;  SHUFELDT, 
The  Anatomy  of  the  Raven,  London,  1890 ;  C.  L.  NITZSCH,  '  Ueber  die  Fainilie 
d.    Passerinen,'    Zeitschr.  f.  d.  ges.    Nat.  xix.    p.    389  ;    C.  B.    ULRICH,    '  Zur 
Characteristik  d.  Muskulatur  d.  Passerinen,'  ibid.  xlv.  p.  28. 


PASSERES 


177 


S.  I. 

L. 

I. 

Myiophoneus  Horsfieldi        ...          29 

•9 

•2 

Geocichla  citrina           ....            9 

•5 

•1 

Nesocichla  eremita        ....          15 

•8 

•4 

Eimator  malacoptilus  ....           5-1 

•5 

—  - 

Cracticus  cassicus          ....          10'2                 1 

•2 

•2 

Pastor  roseus         .....         13-75              1 

•2 

Seleucides  nigra    14-85               1 

•3 

•4, 
•5i 

Manucodia  atra     14-15               1 

•3 

Uranornis  rubra    16-2                 1 

•3                 -3 

Entomyza  cyanotis       ......      12                    1 

•25 

Garrulax  albogularis     ....          13                   1 

•2                 -1 

Cyanocorax  cyanopogon        ...          13 

•5                 -25 

Cissopis  leveriana          ....          10 

— 

•25 

Struthidea  cinerea         .... 

1 

•2 

Hirundo  rustica    .....            6'25 

•75              -6 

Anthornis  melanura      ....            6-25 

•75              -12 

Strepera  graculina         ....          20 

— 

•5 

Barita  destructor  13 

— 

•15 

Tanagra  sayaca     .....            8 

•5                 -12 

,,        festiva     .....          6-5 

— 

— 

Ptilonorhynchus  holosericeus        .         .          10-25 

•75              -25 

.         .         10-5                1 

•25              -5  (F.) 

Gracula  javanensis        ....          23                    1 

•5                -25 

Gymnorhina  leuconota          ...          22                    1 

•5                -4 

Corvus  corone       29'75               2 

•5                -5 

Ampelis  garrulus  .....            7 

•5                -2 

the  whole  are  the  broad-bills  Eurylsemidse  and  the  Australian 
Menura  and  Atrichia,  which  form  a  sub-family,  Menuridse. 
There  are  differences  of  opinion  as  to  which  of  these  is  most 
independent  of  the  normal  Passeres.  FURBR.INGER  separates 
the  Menuridre,  GAEROD  and  FORBES  l  the  Eurylaemidae.  We 
should  explain  that  in  first  of  all  discussing  this  particular 
point  we  are  not  proceeding  in  historical  sequence.  It  was 
the  syrinx  that  first  of  all  attracted  the  attention  of  JOHANNES 
MULLER,  whose  divisions  of  the  Passeres  were  the  earliest  to 
be  based  upon  anatomical  structure  ;  and  in  the  sequel  we 
shall  show  that  his  divisions  are  in  the  main  correct,  even 
allowing  for  our  greatly  extended  knowledge.  It  is,  however, 
in  our  opinion,  beyond  cavil  that  the  major  subdivisions  of 

1  GABEOD'S  contributions  to  our  knowledge  of  passerine  birds  are  as 
follows  :  '  On  some  Anatomical  Peculiarities  which  bear  upon  the  Major 
Divisions  of  the  Passerine  Birds,'  i.  P.  Z.  S.  1876,  p.  506;  'Notes  on  the 
Anatomy  of  Passerine  Birds,'  ii.  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  p.  447;  iii.  ibid.  p.  523 ;  iv. 
ibid.  1878,  p.  143.  The  following  papers  are  due  to  FORBES  :  '  Contributions 
to  the  Anatomy  of  Passerine  Birds,'  i.-vi.  P.  Z.  S.  1880-2. 

X 


178         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


the  group  first  concern  one  of  the  two  views  that  we  have 
referred  to  above.  The  reasons  which  lead  us  to  agree  with 
GARBOD  and  FORBES' s  separation  of  a  group  Desmodactyli, 
as  opposed  to  the  remaining  Passeres,  which  are  to  be  so- 
called  Eleutherodactyli,  are  as  follows  :  The  Menuridae 
(Pseudoscines  of  SCLATER  and  FURBRINGER)  are  clearly  in 
some  respects  degenerate  forms.  The  clavicle  has  become 
rudimentary,  and  the  muscles  of  the  syrinx,  while  approach- 
ing the  typical  oscinine  form,  where  these  muscles  are 
numerous  and  strong,  have  become  to  some  degree  weakened 
by  loss. 

On  the   other  hand  the  Eurylsemidae,  while  they  have 
retained  the  typical  mesomyodian  syrinx— typical,  because  it 


FIG.  85. — SYKINX  OF  Eurylcemus. 
FRONT  VIEW.     (AFTER  FORBES.) 


FIG.  8fi. — SYRINX  OF  Cymbi- 
rhynchus.  SIDE  VIEW.  (AFTER 
FORBES.) 


is  distinctive  of  the  vast  majority  of  birds— have  retained  the 
plantar  vinculum,1  which  in  other  passerines  has  been  lost ; 
they  have  also  a  simple  maiiubrium  sterni,  this  appendage 
being  forked  in  other  passerines.  In  the  feet  too  the  third 
and  fourth  toes  are  largely  bound  together,  giving  to  the 
group  the  name  of  desmodactyli. 

The  family  Eurylaernidse  2  contains  the  genera  Eurylamus, 
Calyptomena,  Serilopha,  Psarisomus,  Cory  don,  and  Cymbi- 
rhynchus,  all  Old- World.  They  have  no  aftershaft,  and  the 
oil  gland  is,  of  course,  nude.  There  are  twelve  rectrices  in 

1  Occasionally  absent  in  Calyptomena  viridis. 

-  FORBES,  '  On  the  Syrinx  and  other  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  the  Eurylse- 
midse,'  P.  Z.  S.  1880,  p.  380. 


PASSERES 


179 


Cymbirhynchus.  There  is  a  wide  ephippial  space,  elongated 
and  oval  in  form ;  the  narrower  parts  of  the  tract  behind 
are  two  feathers  wide. 

The  tongue  (of  Cymbirhynchus)  is  bifid  at  tip  and 
elongated  and  cordate. 

The  following  are  intestinal  measurements  of  two  species  : 


Small  int. 
Large  int. 
Caeca 


Cymbirliynchus 
rnacrorliviichus 

.      7-75 

.      1-25 

•1 


Euryliemus 
acbromelus 

5-75 
•75 
•05 


Left  liver  lobe  is  the  smallest. 

The    following   scheme    gives    the    classification   of  the 
Passeres  according  to  GABEOD  and  FORBES  :— 


I.  DESMODACTYLI 
II.  ELEUTHERODACTYLI 
A.  Mesomyodi 
a.  Heteromeri 

6.  Homctomeri 
Haploophonse 


Tracheophonae 


B.  Acromyodi 


New  World 


Pipridae 
Cotingidae 

Tyrannidae 

(Rupicola] 

Dendrocolaptidae 
Furnariidae 

Pteroptochidae 


OM  World 


Eurylaemidse 


Pittidae 

Philepittidae 

Xenicidae 


Abnormales. 

Atrichiidffl 

Menuridse 

Normales 
( =  Oscines) 


Of  the  remaining  Passeres  the  Mesomyodi  (also  sometimes 
called  Oligomyodi)  are  divided  into  two  subdivisions,  according 
as  to  whether  the  chief  artery  of  the  leg  is  the  femoral  or 
sciatic.  In  the  Heteromeri  (with  the  exception  of  Rupicola} 
it  is  the  femoral,  in  the  others  (Homceomeri)  the  sciatic.  All  the 
Mesomyodi  have  but  one  pair  of  muscles  upon  the  syrinx  or 
none  at  all.  But  the  name  of  Mesomyodi  is  derived  from  the 
fact  that  these  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  to  the  middle 
of  the  bronchial  semi-ring  which  bears  them.  The  Haploo- 
phonse are  those  mesomyodians  in  which  the  syrinx  is  quite 


180         STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

of  the  normal  fashion  ;  the  Trachephonae  are  those  in  which 
the  last  rings  of  the  trachea  are  much  modified,  and  the 
syrinx  may  be  termed  tracheal. 

The  Mesomyodi  with  a  tracheobronchial  syrinx  comprise 
representatives  from  both  the  Old  and  the  New  Worlds.  In 
them  the  syrinx  presents  a  varied  form,  coupled  with  the  fun- 
damental resemblance  indicated.  JOHANNES  MULLEE  has 
figured  and  described  a  number  of  genera.  GABKOD  has 
figured  and  described  others.  In  Lipaugus  cineraceus  (of 
the  family  Cotingida?)  the  intrinsic  muscle  is  of  great  width, 
which  seems  to  foreshadow  its  division  in  the  Oscines  into  a 
complex  of  muscles ;  it  is  attached  to  the  third  bronchial 
semi-ring. 

The  first  and  second  bronchial  semi-rings  resemble  the 
tracheal  in  their  flatness,  depth,  and  close  approximation. 
Those  which  follow  are  slightly  ossified  throughout.  In 
Heteropelma  and  CJiiromadiceris,  which  are  Piprida3,  the 
syrinx  is  very  similar.  In  Pipra  leucociUa  the  intrinsic 
muscle  has  a  tendency  to  split  into  two,  a  further  approxima- 
tion to  the  Oscines.  In  Hadrostomus  aglaice,  a  cotingid,  the 
wide  and  thin  intrinsic  muscle  is  attached  to  the  first  bron- 
chial semi-ring.  This  semi-ring  is  close  to  the  last  tracheal 
ring,  and  is  like  it  in  structure,  being  deep.  The  next 
bronchial  semi-ring  is  separated  by  a  considerable  interval, 
and  the  third  by  a  wider  interval  still,  from  the  ring  in 
front. 

In  the  Madagascar  Philepitta,  which  FOEBES  '  was  the 
first  to  refer  definitely  to  the  present  group  of  passerines,  the 
structure  in  some  respects  recalls  that  of  the  Euryla?mida3. 
The  manubrium  sterni  is  but  slightly  bifid  ;  but  it  has  in 
the  normal  passerines  no  vinculuin.  The  syrinx,  on  the 
other  hand,  differs  from  the  Old-World  Mesomyodi  by  the 
details  of  its  structure  (see  figs.  87,  88).  The  different  arching 
of  the  bronchial  semi-rings  leaves  great  membranous  spaces 
in  the  wall  of  the  syrinx.  The  first  two  semi-rings  are  very 
concave  upwards  ;  the  two  following  are  not  so  markedly 
concave  ;  the  next  is  concave  in  the  reverse  direction.  The 

1  '  On  some  Points  in  the  Structure  of  Philepitta,'  &c.,  P.  Z   S.  1880,  p.  387, 


PASSE1IKS 


LSI 


intrinsic  muscles  are  wide  and  thin,  nearly  in  contact  with 
each  other  before,  and  behind  they  are  attached  to  the  first 
semi-rings  everywhere  bat  at  their  tips.  Pitta  has  a  much 
simpler  syrinx,  approximating  so  far  to  that  of  the  Eurylae- 
midse  ;  the  muscles  are  thin  and  accurately  median  in  inser- 
tion. Pitta  is  unique  among  passerine  birds  by  reason  of 
the  deep  temporal  fossae  of  the  skull,  which  nearly  meet 


FIG.  87. — SYRINX  OF  Philepitta. 
SIDE  VIEW.    (AFTER  FORBES.) 


FIG.  88. — SYRINX  OF  Pliilepittct. 
FRONT  VIEW.     (AFTER  FORBES.) 


behind,   in    a   way  that  is   seen  in  some  other   birds    not 
passerine. 

In  the  New  Zealand  Xenicus  and  Acantliisitta '  there  are 
A  B 


FIG.  89. —  SYRINX  OF  Xenicus.     A.  FRONT  VIEW. 

(AFTER  FORBES.) 


B.  BACK  VIEW. 


only  ten  rectrices,  twelve  being  the  number  characteristic  of 
the  majority  of  the  Passeres.  The  syrinx  of  Xenicus  as  seen 
in  the  annexed  figure  is  quite  typically  mesomyodian.  The 
last  few  tracheal  rings  are  consolidated  into  a  large  box,  to 
the  top  of  which  the  intrinsic  muscles  (small  and  median  in 
insertion)  are  attached. 


1  FORBES,  '  On  Xenlcm  and  Acanlltixitt«,'  <fec.,  /'.  '/..  S.  1882,  p.  569. 


182         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

We  now  come  to  the  Tracheophonae,  which  are  exclu- 
sively American  in  range.  Their  distinguishing  mark  is,  of 
course,  the  tracheal  syrinx,  whose  general  structure  has 
been  already  explained  (see  p.  67).  Besides  these  general 
agreements  the  Tracheophonae  show  variations  in  structure. 
Hetcrocnemis,  for  instance,  is  unique  among  them  and 
the  Mesomyodi  in  general  by  the  existence  of  a  bilaminate 
tarsus,  as  in  the  Oscines.  Conopophaga  and  a  few  others  ' 
have  a  four-notched  sternum,  while  Furnarius,  Synal- 
laxis,  and  a  few  others  have,  as  has  no  other  passerine, 
a  schizorhmal  skull.  Again,  the  maxillo-palatine  of  the 
Dendrocolaptida3,  Furnariidas,  and  Pteroptochidge  are  like 
those  of  oscinine  Passeres  in  being  slender  and  curved  back- 
wards, instead  of  being  comparatively  wide  and  blunt,  as  in 
other  Mesomyodi.  Pkytotoma  is  unique  among  passerine 
birds  for  the  nasal  gland  groove  on  the  frontal  bones,  as  in 'so 
many  water  birds.2 

The  remaining  group  of  Passeres,  the  Acromyodi,  are 
sometimes  called  Oscines  and  sometimes  Polymyodi,  the  latter 
term  having  reference  to  the  numerous  intrinsic  muscles  of 
the  syrinx.  It  was  discovered  by  KEYSEELING  and  BLASIUS 
that,  with  the  exception  of  the  Alaudidse,  the  Oscines  have  a 
bilaminate  tarsus,  the  hinder  surface  being  covered  by  two 
closely  apposed  scutes.  It  sometimes  happens  (in  the  forms 
which  are  on  that  account  spoken  of  as  '  booted  ')  that  the 
anterior  face  of  the  tarsus  is  covered  by  a  single  scute.  The 
syrinx  of  these  birds  is  complex  in  the  multitude  of  its 
muscles,  of  which  there  are  four  or  five  pairs.  The  only 
exception  to  the  muscle  formula  AXY  —  exists  in  this  group  ; 
in  Dicrnrus  there  is  the  reduced  formula  of  AX  — .  Ocypterus, 
the  only  passerine  with  powder  down,  is  referable  here. 
Referable  to  this  group,  but  separated  from  the  more  normal 
members  as  '  Abnormales  '  by  GARROD,  are  the  two  genera 
Atricliia  and  Menura,  which  are  also  regarded  as  the  types 
of  separate  families.  These  two  anomalous  birds  are  by 

1  FORBES,  '  On  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  the  Genus  Conopophaga,''  &c., 
P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  485. 

-  PARKEK,  ^githognatlious  Birds,  ii.  p.  258. 


PASSERES  183 

some  systematists  placed  in  a  group  Pseudoscines,  equivalent 
to  the  remaining  Passeres. 

The  anatomy  of  the  two  genera  has  been  mainly  investi- 
gated by  GARROD,  who  studied  principally  the  syrinx.  They 
are  purely  Australian  in  range.  According  to  FURBRINGER 
this  group  of  passerines  is  in  many  respects  intermediate 
between  the  other  passerines  and  the  Pici.  With  the  latter 
group  M emir  a  probably  and  Atricliia  certainly  agree  in  the 
following  myological  points :  the  origin  of  the  rhomboideus 
profundus  from  the  pelvis  ;  in  the  tendon  of  insertion  of  the 
supra-coracoideus  upon  the  shoulder  joint  ;  in  the  origin  of 
the  latissiinus  dorso-cutaneus  from  the  ilium  and  its  covering 
by  the  leg  musculature.  GARROD  also  called  attention  to 
the  fact  that  the  patagialis  brevis  was  picine  and  not  passerine. 

The  syrinx  of  Menura1  has  three  pairs  of  intrinsic  mus- 
cles, which  are  inserted  respectively  into  the  last  tracheal 
ring  and  on  to  the  second  and  third  bronchial  semi-rings. 
There  are  three  modified  bronchial  semi-rings.  So  too  in 
Atricliia,  where,  however,  there  are  but  two  pairs  of  syringeal 
•muscles,  as  shown  in  the  figure. 

The  clavicles  are  rudimentary  in  Atrichia,',  there  is  no 
hypocleidium  in  Menura,  another  picine  character.  Menura 
has,  furthermore,  a  chain  of  three  supra-orbital  bones. 

PICI 

Definition. — Feet  zygodactyle ;  aftershaft  small  or  rudimentary  ; 
oil  gland  tufted.  Muscle  formula  of  leg,  AXY  (AX)  ;  Gall 
bladder  elongated.  Skull  without  basipterygoid  processes. 

The  woodpeckers,  which  form  the  first  family  of  th& 
assemblage,  Picidae,2  are  a  well-marked  group  of  birds,  contain- 
ing about  three  hundred  and  fifty  species,  as  allowed  by  the 
late  Mr.  HARGITT.S  They  inhabit  most  parts  of  the  world, 
excluding  only  Madagascar,  Australia,  and  Polynesia. 

1  For  passerine  syrinx  see  JOH.  MuLLERin  Abh.  Berlin.  Akad.,  1845  ;  HERRE, 
Dissertatio  de  Avium  Passcrinan<ni  Larymjc  Bronchial*,  Gryphise,  1859  ;  and 
GARROD  and  FORBES  in  papers  already  quoted. 

-  W.  MARSHALL,  Die,  Speclite.    Leipzig,  iss'.i. 

3  Brit.  Mus.  Catalogue,  vol.  xviii. 


184         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Twelve  rectrices  is  the  rule  for  this  family,  but  the  outer 
ones  are  sometimes  feeble,  and  I  found  only  ten  in  Tig  a 
Shorei.  The  aftershaft  is  present.  The  pterylosis  varies 
somewhat.  But  NITZSCH  has  pointed  out  that  this '  peculiarity 
.  .  .  which  occurs  almost  universally  among  them,  is  the 
presence  of  a  small  inner  humeral  tract  running  along  upon 
the  most  elevated  points  of  the  shoulder  parallel  to  the 
very  broad  main  tract.'  That  this  second  humeral  tract  also 
occurs  among  parrots  may  be  a  matter  worthy  of  considera- 
tion. It  appears,  at  any  rate,  to  distinguish  the  woodpeckers 
from  other  picarian  birds. 

In  Picus  viridis  the  narrow  dorsal  tract  passes  down  the 
middle  of  the  neck  and  ends  abruptly  at  the  end  of  the 
scapulae  or  a  little  before.  Behind  this  are  two  oval  wide 
patches,  which  correspond  to  the  foot  of  the  Y  in  other 
birds,  which  have  a  dorsal  median  apterion.  There  is  a 
break  between  these  patches  and  the  posterior  end  of  the 
dorsal  tract,  which  runs  to  the  base  of  the  oil  gland  undivided. 
On  either  side  of  this  and  of  the  oil  gland  is  a  fainter  and 
narrower  tract.  In  Tig  a  Shorei  there  is  no  break  between 
the  several  regions  of  the  dorsal  tract  ;  the  anterior  part 
narrows  and  forks  into  two  branches,  consisting  of  but  one 
row  of  feathers,  which  immediately  after  dilate  into  the  wide 
interscapular  tracts  ;  from  the  lower  angle  of  each  of  these 
a  single  row  of  feathers  joins  the  median  posterior  part  of 
tract.  The  diamond-shaped  spinal  aptsrion  is  thus  com- 
pletely enclosed  within  the  dorsal  tract. 

Sphyrapicus  nuchalis  !  has  a  solid  spinal  tract  dilating 
between  the  shoulders  into  a  rhombpidal  but  still  solid  area, 
as  SHUFELDT  says,  like  a  passerine. 

In  Centurus  striatus  the  arrangement  is  more  like  that 
of  Picus  viridis,  but  slight  scattered  feathering  unites  the 
middle  and  posterior  portions  of  the  dorsal  tract. 

The  ventral  tracts  of  Picus  divide  early  in  the  neck  and 
at  the  commencement  of  the  pectoral  region  ;  each  gives  off  a 
stronger  outer  branch.  In  Tig  a  Shorei  the  separation  between 
these  branches  is  not  nearly  so  marked  as  is  shown  in 

1  'Observations  on  the  Pterylosis  of  Certain  PicidaV  Auk,  ISHS,  p.  212. 


PIC1 


185 


NITZSCH'S  figure  of  Picus  viridi*.  This  woodpecker  is  so 
far  much  more  like  a  parrot. 

In  Jynx  the  interior  part  of  the  dorsal  tract  forms  a 
continuous  Y,  of  which  the  fork  is  hardly  wider  than  the 
handle.  This  is  completely  discontinuous  with  the  median 
posterior  portion  of  the  tract. 

The  tensores  patagii 1  are  very  simple.  The  tendon  is 
single.  There  is  a  conspicuous  cucullaris  patagialis,  but 
no  biceps  slip.  Each  tendon,  both  longus  and  brevis,  is 
reinforced  by  a  tendon  from  the  pectoralis.  In  Centurus 
striatus  the  slip  to  the  longus  is  muscular  in  origin ;  it 
seems  to  be  more  usually  tendinous. 

The  deltoid  is  an  extensive  muscle. 

The  latissimns  dor  si  posterior  appears  to  be  totally  absent, 
as  in  Indicator. 

As  to  the  leg  muscles,  the  accessory  femoro-caudal  is 
always  absent.  The  femoro-caudal  and  the  semitendinosus 
are  always  present ;  the  accessory  to  the  latter  may  or  may 
not  be  present,  its  occurrence  in  different  genera  being 
shown  in  the  following  list  :— 


"\Vith  an  Accessory  Semitendiuosus 


Without  an  Accessory  Seinitemliuosus 


Pi  cits  major 
Picus  minor 
Picoides  tridactylus 
Spliyrapicus  variiis 


Gee  in  us  viridis 
Gecinus  vittatus 
Leuconerpes  candidus 
Melanerpes  formicivorus 
Chloronerpes  yucatanensis 
MnUeripicus  fulvus 
Hypoxanthiis  Rivolii 
Jynx  torquilla 
Dnjocopus  martin* 
Picolaptes  affinis 
Tiga  Shorei 
Tiga  javensis 
Centurus  striatus 
Melanerpes   erythrocepha- 

lon 
Colaptes  mexicanoides 

1  NiTzscH-GrcBEL,  '  Zur  Anatomie  der  Spechte,'  Zcitschr.  /.  d.  gcs.  Naturir. 
xxvii.  (1806),  p.  477. 


186         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  are  like  those  of  toucans  and 
barbets  (cf.  p.  101). 

The  tongue  l  is  elongated,  and  so  are  the  ceratohyals  in 
relation  to  it,  overlapping  and  grooving  the  skull.  As  a  rule 
among  the  woodpeckers  the  right  lobe  of  the  liver  is  larger 
than  the  left  ;  they  are  equal  in  Xypoxantlms  Eivolii.  The 
gall  bladder  appears  to  be  absent  in  Leuconerpes  candidus 
and  \\\Xypoxanthus  ;  it  is  long  and  intestiniform  (like  that  of 
a  toucan)  in  Gecinus  viridix,  Dryocopus  martins,  undJynx. 

The  intestines  are  without  caeca  ;  ~  the  following  are  some 
measurements  :— 

Chloronerpes  yucatanensis  .  .  •  &k  inches 

Picas  minor   .         .         .  .  .  .  1'2  ,, 

Xypoxantlms  Bivolii      .  .  .  .  1'2  ,, 

Dryocopus  martins          .  .  .  .  '20  ,, 

The  syrinx  has  no  remarkable  characters.     It  is  quite 
typically    tracheo-bronchial    with    a    pair    of   extrinsic  and 
a  pair  of  intrinsic  muscles. 

As  to  the  skull,  the  woodpeckers  have  an  unusual  palatal 
structure,  which  led  PARKER3  to  invent  the  term  Sauro- 
gnathous  in  order  to  express  this  peculiarity.  The  palate  oi 
the  woodpecker  has,  however,  been  variously  interpreted. 
Professor  HUXLEY,  in  his  paper  on  the  bird's  skull,  directed 
attention  to  an  apparent  vacuolation  of  the  palatines,  which 
is  illustrated  in  the  accompanying  figure  (fig.  90)  ;  a  slender 
bar  of  bone  passes  backwards  and  comes  into  near  relations 
with  an  equally  slender  projection  forwards  of  the  palatine 
bone,  thus  enclosing  a  space  which  in  the  fresh  skull  is  filled 
with  membrane.  The  anterior  process  in  the  dried  skull 
is  sometimes  continuous  (fig.  90),  but  sometimes  not  con- 
tinuous with  the  ascending  lamina  of  the  palatine.  Where 
it  is  not  continuous  Professor  HUXLEY  found  that  its  appa- 

1  J.  LINDAHL,  '  Some  New  Points  in  the  Construction  of  the  Tongue  of  Wood- 
peckers,' Am.  Nat.  1879,  p.  43. 

2  Exceptionally  present  in  Gecinus  viridis. 

3  '  On  the  Morphology  of  the  Skull  in  the  Woodpeckers,'  &c.,  Tr.  Linn.  Soc. 
(2),  i.  1875,  p.  1.     See  also  KESSLEK,  '  Zur  Naturgesohichte  der  Spechte,'  Bull. 
Soc.  Nat.  Mosc.  1844,  p.  28=5. 


PICI 


is: 


rent  continuation  was  a  separate  bone,  which  he  regarded 
as  the  vomer — the  vomers  thus  being  paired. 

A  few  years  later  a  different  complexion  was  given  to  the 
subject  by  a  paper  written  by  Professor  GARROD.  '  He  con- 
firmed HUXLEY'S  description  of  the  supposed  vomers,  but 
regarded  them  merely  as  the  perfectly  ossified  edge  of  the 
imperfectly  ossified  palatines.  This  opinion  was  chiefly 
based  upon  the  discovery  of  a  small  median  bone  lying 
between  the  posterior  ends  of  the  palatines  (x.  fig.  90),  not 
observed  by  HUXLEY.  This  bone,  identified  by  GARROD 
with  the  vomer  of  other  birds,  occupies, 
as  he  admits,  a  somewhat  posterior  posi- 
tion, which  is  parallel,  however,  as  he  also 
points  out,  at  any  rate  in  Megalcema* 

PARKER'S  paper  upon  these  birds  is  a 
long  and  elaborate  one,  but  contains  no 
reference  to  that  of  GARROD.  The  bone 
discovered  by  GARROD  is  figured  and  de- 
scribed as  the  medio-palatine,  and  is  in- 
variably figured  as  distinct  from  the 
palatines,  between  which  it  lies.  PARKER 
adopts  HUXLEY'S  identification  of  the 
vomers,  but  finds  that  they  are  often 
divisible  each  into  several  splints  of  bone  ; 

•  ,,     ,,  ,•  £  FIG.     90. — SKULL     OF 

the  connection  with  the  palatines  m  iront  WOODPECKER  (Geti- 
and  a  median  series  of  bonelets  (collectively  nus  viridis).  VEN- 
termed  by  HUXLEY  the  ossified  internasal 
septum)  are  spoken  of  as  septo-maxil- 
laries.  It  may  be  sometimes  noticed — I 
have  observed  it  in  Leuconerpes  candidus — that  the  anterior 
ends  of  the  pterygoids,  which  in  the  Pici  run  for  a  consider- 
able way  over  the  outside  of  the  palatines,  come  into  actual 
contact  with  the  commencement  of  the  vomers.3 

Another  peculiarity  of  the  woodpecker's  skull   is  the  fre- 

1  '  Note  on  some  of  the  Cranial  Peculiarities  of  the  Woodpeckers,'  Ibis, 
1872,  p.  357. 

'-'  See  under  '  Capitonidas,'  p.  196. 

3  SHUFELDT  also  ('  On  the  Question  of  Saurognathism  of  the  Pici,'  &c., 
P.  Z.  S.  1891,  p.  122)  argues  against  HUXLEY'S  view. 


nns  viridis). 

TEAL  VIEW.     (AFTEK 

GAKROD.) 

I'l,  palatines  ;  J't,  ptery- 
goids ;  .c,  vomer. 


188         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

quently  Y-shaped  form  of  the  pterygoids.  An  outer 
forwardly  directed  process  is  given  off  near  to  their  articula- 
tion with  the  quadrate.  The  extraordinary  hyoid  connected 
with  the  long  and  exsertile  tongue  is,  of  course,  a  marked 
feature  of  the  group.  The  long  distal  piece  of  the  bran- 
chials  curves  over  and  furrows  the  cranium  of  those  species 
in  which  it  exists. 

In  the  wryneck  (Jynx)  the  vomers  are  small,  but 
thoroughly  '  picine.'  The  pterygoids  have,  however,  no 
forwardly  directed  process,  and  do  not  extend  quite  so  far 
over  the  palatines. 

There  are  fourteen  cervical  vertebra.  Haemapophyses 
do  not  extend  behind  the  first  dorsal.  There  is  a  complete 
canal  for  the  carotids  formed  in  the  cervical  region  by  the 
haemapophyses.  Four  vertebme  enter  into  the  formation  of 
this  in  Thriponax  Feddeni.1  The  sternum  has  two  notches  on 
either  side,  and  has  the  spina  exterior  only,  which  is  bifid. 
Four  ribs  reach  it.  The  clavicles  form  a  U-shaped  furcula, 
but  are  expanded  above,  as  in  the  toucans  and  barbets. 

The  Bucconidae  is  a  South  American  family  of  zygodac- 
tyle  birds  whose  anatomy  -  is  at  present  but  little  known,  and 
whose  affinities  are  therefore  doubtful.  It  is  only  provi- 
sionally that  I  place  them  in  the  present  position. 

Bucco  maculatus  has  a  nude  oil  gland  and  twelve  rectrices. 
The  inferior  feather  tract  starts  from  the  symphysis,  leaving 
a  bare  space  on  either  side ;  it  divides  at  the  angle  of  the 
jaw,  and  thence  the  two  halves  remain  separate.  Each  of 
them  gives  off  a  stout  outer  pectoral  branch.  The  dorsal 
tract  is  in  two  quite  separate  parts,  separated  by  a  good 
space ;  the  posterior  part  is  forked  for  half  its  length, 
tapering  anteriorly  to  a  point. 

In  Monasa  panamensis  each  part  of  the  posterior   fork 


This  character  is  nearly  unique  among  anomalogonatous  birds.  I 
describe  it,  however,  above  (p.  176)  in  Gymnorhina.  The  nearest  possible  ally 
in  which  it  occurs  is  a  parrot. 

-  GIHBEL,  '  Zur  Osteologie  der  Gattung  Monasa,'  Zeitsclir.  f.  d.  yes.  Naturw. 
xviii.  18G1,  p.  1'21. 


PICI  189 

is  connected  with  the  anterior  part  of  the  dorsal  tract  by  a 
single  row  of  very  small  downy  feathers. 

In  Malacoptila  fusca  '  the  oil  (/hind  has  a  few  fine  hairs 
at  the  apex'  (NiTzscn).  The  aftershaft  is  absent. 

The  tongue  of  Bucco  macula  tun  is  long,  flat,  and  thin  ;  the 
tip  is  not  lacerated ;  the  base  is  spiny. 

The  muscle  formula  of  the  leg  is  given  as  AXY  — .  Two 
carotids  are  stated  to  be  present. 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  are  like  those  of  the  Capitonidse. 
The  flexor  hallncis  supplies  digits  I.,  II.,  IV.  The  flexor 
profundus  supplies  only  digit  III.  The  two  where  they 
cross  are  connected  by  a  small  vinculum. 

Monasa  nigrifrons  has  fourteen  cervical  vertebra.  The 
atlas  is  perforated  for  the  odontoid  process.  The  eighth 
vertebra  has  two  catapophyses,  which  come  into  contact  at 
their  bases  in  the  middle  line  ;  on  the  ninth  is  the  first 
median  hypapophysis  ;  these  continue  to  the  first  dorsal ; 
on  the  thirteenth  cervical  are  large  catapophyses,  which  are 
present,  but  much  smaller,  on  the  hypapophysis  of  the  next 
vertebra.  There  are  only  three  free  dorsals,  all  of  which 
bear  ribs  reaching  the  deeply  two-notched  sternum,  which 
has  a  long  spina  externa. 

The  clavicles  are  expanded  into  a  wide,  thin,  roughly 
triangular  plate  at  their  attachment  to  coracoids  ;  there  is  a 
thin  but  broadish  hypocleidium  where  they  meet  below. 

The  skull  is  desmognathous,  and  in  front  of  the  conjoined 
maxillo-palatines  is  a  gap  of  about  half  an  inch  in  length 
in  the  bony  palate.  The  process  of  the  squamosal  very 
nearly  reaches  the  jugal  bar.  The  lacrymal  completely 
reaches  the  jugal  bar  in  front,  and  the  descending  process  is 
in  contact,  but  not  fused,  with  the  strong  and  swollen 
ectethmoids.  The  interorbital  septum  is  quite  complete,  as 
is  the  intranarial. 

The  Rhamphastidae  (toucans),  with  their  large  bills, 
serrate  slightly  at  the  edge,  bear  a  certain  superficial  resem- 
blance to  the  hornbills,  with  which,  however,  they  have  no 
specially  intimate  connection.  They  are,  on  the  other  hand, 


190         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

undoubtedly  nearly  related  to  the  Capitonidre,  and  show 
slighter  but  still  recognisable  points  of  affinity  with  the 
Passeres.  The  toucans,  which  are  purely  tropical  American, 
consist,  perhaps,  of  only  one  well-marked  genus,  Rliamphas- 
tos,  which,  however,  has  been  subdivided  into  Pteroglossus, 
Aulacorhamphus,  Selenidera,  and  some  others.  The  toucans 
have  a  tufted  oil  gland,  an  aftershaft,  and  ten  rectrices. 

The  pterylosis  (cf .  NITZSCH)  is  characterised  by  the  wide 
lateral  neck  spaces. 

The  dorsal  tract  does  not  divide  on  the  neck,  nor  is  it  as 
a  rule  l  continuous  throughout.  There  is  a  break  between  the 
straight  anterior  portion  and  the  Y-shaped  posterior  portion. 
The  ventral  tract  divides  in  the  middle  of  the  neck,  and 
there  is  a  strongly  marked  outer  branch  to  the  pectoral 
tracts.  The  femoral  tract  does  not,  according  to  my  own 
experience,  arise  so  early  from  the  spinal  tract  as  NITZSCH 
figures. 

The  intestinal  tract  of  the  toucans  is  short  but  volumi- 
nous, eighteen  inches  in  Rliampliastos  dicolorus,  nineteen 
inches  in  R.  carinatus.  There  are  no  caca. 

The  proventriculus  is  zonary  ;  the  stomach  is  a  weak 
muscular  bag. 

In  the  liver  the  right  lobe  is  larger  than  the  left,  three 
times  larger  in  R.  carinatu*. 

The  most  characteristic  feature  in  the  anatomy  of  the 
family  concerns  the  gall  bladder  ;  this  has  been  principally 
investigated  by  FoKBES.2  It  will  be  seen  that  the  gall  bladder 
is  tubular,  and  of  very  great  length  (4'15  inches  in  a  specimen 
of  Rliampliastos  dicolorus},  as  also  in  the  CapitonidcB  and  a 
fewPicidae  (qq.v.)  I  found  in  Eh.  tocard  an  exceptional  state 
of  affairs.  As  in  all  (?)  toucans,  the  gall  bladder  is  long, 
but  from  the  upper  extremity  two  separate  cystic  ducts  arise, 
which  soon  fuse  to  separate  again  ; :J  they  open,  however,  in 

1  NITZSCH  mentions  as  an  exception  an  unidentified  species.  And  in 
Selenidera  and  Aulacorliamplius  I  could  find  no  break. 

-  '  Note  on  the  Gall  Bladder,  &c.,  of  the  Toucans  and  Barbets,'  P.  Z.  ,S'. 
1882,  p.  94. 

3  This  may  perhaps  be  regarded  as  a  faint  indication  of  the  rctc  found  in 
some  reptiles. 


PICI  191 

common  with  each  other  and  with  the  hepatic  duct  into  the 
intestine.  There  are  two  pancreatic  ducts  in  this  species, 
and  one  of  them  is  peculiar  in  having  a  distinct,  though 
short,  diverticulum  near  to  its  intestinal  orifice. 

The  tongue  is  long,  horny,  and  feathered  along  the 
margins. 

The  toucans  as  a  rule  possess  only  one  carotid,  the  left. 
But  in  an  example  of  Eh.  dicolorus  FORBES  found  both 
carotids  present.  The  second  is  much  smaller  ;  it  is  quite 
pervious,  however,  and  blends  with  the  left  at  the  entrance 
to  the  neck. 

The  syrinx-  is  in  some  respects  peculiar.  As  in  some 
other  picarian  birds,  the  last  three  or  four  tracheal  rings  are 
fused  to  form  a  bony  box,  which  is  marked  by  a  deep  furrow 
rnesially  and  behind.  This  region  of  the  syrinx  is  much 
compressed  antero-posteriorly.  The  intrinsic  muscles  are 
attached  to  the  upper  part  of  the  box. 

The  first  bronchial  ring  is  ossified  in  front ;  posteriorly 
each  half  is  L-shaped  and  fibrocartilaginous.  The  descending 
limbs  of  each  L  are  in  the  same  straight  line  as  the  trachea  ; 
they  are  closely  applied  to  each  other,  but  really  separated 
by  a  membrane  of  very  short  extent,  the  bronchidesmus. 
They  are  in  close  contact  with  the  inner  end  of  the  ossified 
half  of  the  ring.  At  the  lower  end  of  these  cartilaginous 
pieces  is  a  separate  rounded  bit  of  cartilage,  which  is  simi- 
larly connected  with  the  second  ring. 

The  tensores  patagii  are  very  simple.  The  tendon  of  the 
brevis  is  quite  undivided.  Each  has  a  tendinous  slip  from 
the  pectoralis.  There  is  a  cucullaris  patagialis. 

The  deltoid  is  particularly  long  in  its  insertion. 

The  anconceus  has  110  humeral  attachment.  It  arises 
by  fleshy  fibres  (not  a  Y-shaped  tendon)  from  the  scapula. 
The  glut ceiis  maximus  extends  below  the  acetabulum  ;  there 
is  no  glutceus  externus. 

The  muscle  formula  of  the  leg  is  AXY— .  The  semitendi- 
nosus  is  attached  to  the  leg  bone  separately  from  the  serni- 
inembranosus  ;  it  has  also  a  tendinous  insertion  on  to  gastro- 
cnemius.  The  deep  plantar  tendons  are  as  in  Megal<Eina. 


STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

There  are  fourteen  cervical  vertebra.  The  atlas  is  per- 
forated by  the  odontoid  process  ;  strongish  median  hypapo- 
physes  exist  on  vertebrae  C11-D2.  In  Rliampliastos  ariel 
ohere  is  in  addition  a  paired  haemapophysis  on  CIO,  not 
present  in  Pteroglossus  Wiedi.  Five  ribs  reach  the  sternum, 
which  is  four-notched  and  has  a  spina  externa.  The  clavicles 
are  short  and  do  not  unite  in  the  middle  line  ;  they  are  ex- 
panded above,  as  in  the  barbets.  There  is  a  small  accessory 
scapular  nodule,  from  which  deltoid  in  part  arises.  The 
skull  is  desmognathous,  holorhinal,  without  basipterygoid 
processes.  The  ethmoids  are  large  and  quite  fused  with 
the  descending  process  of  the  lacrymal,  itself  fused  with 
the  skull  wall.  The  vomer  is  truncated  at  its  anterior 
extremity. 

Fam.  Capitonidse. — This  family  of  birds,  with  which  I 
include,  following  GADOW,  Indicator,  is  of  the  tropics,  both 
Old  World  and  New. 

All  the  members  of  the  family  that  have  been  examined 
have  ten  rectrices,  save  Indicator,  which  has  twelve.  The 
oil  gland  is  feathered,  and  there  is  an  aftershaft. 

The  pterylosis l  shows  some  differences  in  different  genera  ; 
in  all,  however,  the  ventral  tract  is  single  as  far  as  the 
posterior  end  of  the  neck,  where  it  divides  into  the  two  pec- 
toral tracts  ;  each  of  these,  again,  gives  off,  as  in  the  toucans, 
Bucconidse,  Picidse,  &c.,  an  outer  branch.  This  soon  termi- 
nates, but  the  inner  branches  are  continued  as  far  as  the 
cloaca.  The  apteria  being  entirely  devoid  of  down  feathers, 
the  tracts  are  easily  denned,  but  in  spite  of  this  NITZSCH 
has,  in  my  opinion,  fallen  into  some  errors. 

The  typical  arrangement  of  the  dorsal  pterylosis 2 
(shown  in  tig.  91)  may  be  considered  to  be  that  of  Megalama, 
and  was  found  to  characterise  the  species  M.  asiatica,  M. 
rireiis,  M.  Hodgsoni,  M.  javensis,  M.  Franklini.  The  spinal 
tract  is  single  and  narrow  upon  the  neck,  thus  leaving  con- 

1  GIEBEL,  '  Pterylose  von  Tetragonops,'  Zeitsclir.  f.  d.ges.  Naturw.  li.  1878, 

p.  377. 

-  '  On  the  Pterylosis  of  Certain  Barbets  and  Toucans,'  P.  Z.  8.,  1890,  p.  555. 


rrci 


19:3 


spicuous  lateral  neck  spaces  ;  behind  the  scapula  it  forks, 
and  the  posterior  part  of  the  spinal  tract  is  not  in  continuity 
with  the  interior.  The  former  is  at  first  a  single  tract,  but 
it  divides  some  way  in  front  of  the  oil  gland,  which  it 
surrounds,  as  in  the  Picidas  and  RhamphastidaB  ;  but  in  the 


FIG.  91. — FEATHER  TRACTS  OF  Megalama  asiatica.     THE  RIGHT-HAND 
FIGURE  SHOWS  THE  VENTRAL  SURFACE,  THE  LEFT  THE  DORSAL. 

former  family  there  is  also  a  median  continuation  of  the 
spinal  tract,  which  stops  at  the  base  of  the  oil  gland.  On 
each  side  of  the  spinal  tract  is  a  very  narrow  lateral  tract, 
which  is  figured  by  NITZSCH  as  existing  also  in  the  Kham- 
phastidae  and  the  Picidae.  Xcuithol(cma  rosea  shows  differ- 
ences from  Megalcema  ;  the  spinal  tract  divides  in  the  usual 
way,  but  the  tracts  rejoin,  so  as  to  enclose  a  diamond-shaped 
space ;  they  then  again  diverge  immediately,  and  end  at  the 
sides  of  the  oil  gland  in  the  usual  way. 

Xantlwlcema  has  a  faint  lateral  tract  on  either  side.  In 
spite  of  NITZSCH'S  figures  I  am  disposed  to  think  that  this 
tract,  so  universal  in  the  barbets,  is  at  most  feeble  in  the 
toucans.  In  the  continuity  of  the  anterior  and  posterior 

o 


194         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

parts  of  the  spinal  tract  Xantholcema   is  more  toucan-like 
than  any  barbet. 

In  Capita  and  Trachyplwnus  NITZSCH  has  figured  an 
anterior  bifurcation  of  the  posterior  part  of  the  spinal  tract, 
much  more  marked  in  the  former  genus,  where,  indeed,  I  am 
inclined  to  suspect  a  more  detailed  resemblance  to  XantJw- 
la-ma  than  is  suggested  by  NITZSCH'S  figure.  If  this  is  not 
the  case,  the  New-World  genus  will  be  distinguished  from 
the  Old- World  genera  by  a  double  posterior  spinal  tract 
divided  by  a  break  from  the  forked  anterior  tract. 

The  tensor espatagii  consist  of  a  slighter  tensor  longus  and 
a  wider  brevis  ;  the  tendons  of  both  are  simple,  and  each  is 
reinforced  by  a  tendinous  slip  from  the  pectoralis.  The 
brevis  tendon  is  simple,  and  terminates,  as  in  the  last  two 
families,  upon  the  tendon  of  the  extensor  metacarpi  radialis. 

In  Capita,  at  any  rate,  there  is  a  cucullaris  propatagialis. 

FURBEINGEE  had  indicated  a  point  of  difference  among  the 
barbets  which  concerns  the  rhomboideus  profundiis.  This 
muscle  in  Meiglyptes  (Picidse)  and  Ehamphastos  is  a  large 
fan-shaped  muscle,  arising  from  the  tip  of  the  ilium,  as 
well  as  from  the  spinous  processes  of  certain  of  the  dorsal 
vertebrae,  and  is  inserted  from  the  tip  to  about  halfway  down 
the  scapula.  In  Capita  this  muscle  is  plainly  divided  into 
two — an  anterior  and  a  posterior — of  which  the  latter  arises 
from  a  few  vertebrae  and  from  tip  of  ilium.  In  Megalcema 
the  anterior  section  of  this  muscle  is  itself  again  divided 
into  two  quite  distinct  parts.  This  family,  like  the  wood- 
peckers, toucans,  and  Passeres,  has  a  latissimus  dorso- 
cutaneus,  but  no  metapatagialis. 

The  deltoid  extends  some  way  down  the  arm,  as  in  other 
allied  birds  and  in  Passeres ;  it  has  no  special  scapular  slip. 
•  The  barbets,  like  the  woodpeckers  and  toucans,  possess  a 
sesamoid  ossicle,  called  the  '  scapula  accessoria,'  which  is 
developed  in  the  scapulo-humeral  ligament  ;  from  it  arise 
some  of  the  fibres  of  the  deltoid.  This  bone,  again,  is  also 
found  in  Passeres  and  owls,  and  in  a  host  of  other  birds.1  The 

1  See  FURBRIXGEK,  p.  229.     FORBES  laid  too  much  stress  upon  its  classifica- 
tovy  value  in  the  present  case. 


PICI 

maxim  us  is  both  pre-  and  post-acetabular  in  origin. 
There  is  no  gl.  externu*.  In  the  leg  the  formula  is  the 
typical  picarian  one  of  AXY  — .  Both  peroneals  are  present, 
as  in  the  Rhamphastidse,  and  with  the  normal  attachments. 
The  deep  plantar  tendons  have  been  already  described  and 
displayed  (fig.  58,  p.  102). 

The  tongue  (in  M.  virens)  is  sagittate,  with  horny 
margins,  and  slightly  lacerated  apically.  In  a  specimen 
of  Megaltzma  asiatica  the  horny  apex  was  bifid,  quite 
regularly  so. 

The  right  lobe  of  the  liver  in  M.  virens  is  a  little  larger 
than  the  left.  The  greatest  peculiarity  of  the  liver,  however, 
concerns  the  gall  bladder.  As  in  the  toucans  and  some 
Picidte  it  is  of  great  length  and  intestiniform,  i.e.  of  narrow 
and  regular  calibre ;  in  a  specimen  of  M.  virens  it  was  two 
and  a  half  inches  long.  The  presence  of  a  similar  gall 
bladder  has  been  noted  in  M.  Franklini  and  in  XantJw- 
l<nna  rosea. 

The  intestines  (devoid  of  cseca)  are  voluminous  but  short 
—seventeen  inches  in  M.  virens,  twelve  in  M.  asiatica. 

The  syrinx  of  I\Iegal&ma  (asiatica)  is  of  a  very  simple 
tracheo-bronchial  form  ;  the  last  rings  do  not  fuse  at  all,  but 
remain  perfectly  distinct ;  there  are  no  intrinsic  muscles. 
The  extrinsic  muscles  are  attached  to  the  tips  of  the  costal 
process. 

The  skull  is  '  segithognathous,  with  a  desmognathous 
tendency,'  holorhinal,  and  without  basipterygoid  processes. 
The  desmognathous  tendency  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  (in 
Mcgahcma  asiatica)  the  maxillo-palatines  may  or  may  not 
blend  with  the  nasal  septum.  In  others,  e.g.  Pogonorhyncliit* 
bidentatns,  the  two  bones  (maxillo-palatines)  blend  com- 
pletely across  the  middle  line.  These  forms  are,  therefore,, 
genuinely  desmognathous,  except  as  concerns  the  vomer. 
This  bone  is  truncated,  as  in  the  segithognathous  skull,  and 
its  two  forward  limbs  join  the  maxillo-palatines,  as  in  Indi- 
cator. 

It  is  single  (except,  of  course,  for  the  anterior  bifurcation) 
in  Megalcp.ma  ;  broader  and  double  in  Gumnobucco  calvus. 

o  2 


196         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

As  GARROD  has  pointed  out,  the  vernier  of  the  Capitonidae 
differs  from  that  of  the  Passeres  in  being  truncated  behind 
the  posterior  line  of  the  palatines  ;  in  the  Passeres  the 
truncation  is  in  front  of  the  line.  The  skull  of  Megaltenia. 
asiatica  has  been  described  and  figured  by  PARKER.1  Outside 
the  Y-shaped  vomer  there  is  on  each  side  a  small  '  septo- 
maxillary  '  splint,  and  in  front  a  median  unpaired  septo- 
maxillary.  The  former  are,  perhaps,  the  equivalents  of  the 
vomers  of  Picidse  (q.v.)  ;  the  vomer  in  that  case  may  have 
something  to  do  with  the  medio-palatine  of  PICKS.  The 
nostrils  are  impervious  and  very  much  reduced  by  long 
growths.  In  Megalcema  virens  and  Gymnobucco  the  lacry- 
mals  and  pref rentals  entirely  fuse  with  each  other  and  with 
the  skull  walls  to  form  a  solid  and  imperforate  plate  of  bone, 
as  in  Pterocles,  pigeons,  toucans,  &c-. 

There  are  fourteen  cervical  vertebrae.  The  atlas  is  per- 
forated by  the  odontoid.  The  axis  and  the  three  following 
vertebrae  have  median  hypapophyses  ;  the  next  vertebra  (the 
sixth)  has  a  bifurcate  one.  All  these  processes  are  more 
conspicuous  than  in  the  toucans,  where,  however,  they  are 
present.  Vertebras  C11-D6  (last)  and  LI  have  strong 
hypapophyses,  that  of  D2  being  bifurcate.  In  Gymnobucco 
only  three  dorsals  have  hremapophyses.  Five  ribs  reach  the 
sternum,  which  is  four-notched  and  has  a  spina  externa  ;  the 
clavicles  do  not  meet  below.  The  head  of  the  clavicle 
expands  into  a  wide  flat  triangular  plate. 

Indicator  is  considered  to  be  the  type  of  a  distinct  sub- 
family of  the  Capitonidae,  which  also  contains  the  genus 
Protodiscus.  Indicator  has  been  chiefly  investigated  by 
GARROD.2  NITZSCH,  however,  previously  and  FURBRINGER 
subsequently  added  to  our  knowledge  of  the  bird.  It  has 
twelve  rectrices  ;  the  pterylosis  has  a  marked  gap  between 
the  anterior  and  the  posterior  parts  of  the  spinal  tract  ;  and 
the  latter  appears  to  encircle  the  oil  gland,  as  in  the 
Capitonidse. 

1  '  On  the  Structure  and  Development  of  the  Bird's   Skull,'  Trans.  Linn. 
Soc.  (2),  i.  p.  122. 

2  '  Notes  on  the  Anatomy  of  Indicator  major.'1  P.  Z.  S.  1879,  p.  930. 


PICI  197 

The  syrinx  is  shown  in  the  figure  on  p.  61  (fig.  40).  The 
trachea  at  its  lower  end  is  formed  into  a  bony  box  by  a  fusion 
of  several  rings  ;  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring,  to  which 
the  single  pair  of  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached,  is  larger 
than  those  which  follow.  The  muscular  anatomy,  excepting 
for  minute  details,  is  the  same  ;  one  of  these  small  details 
is  that  the  pectoral  slip  to  the  tensor  patagii  is  muscular 
and  not  tendinous. 

The  skull  is  eegithognathous ;  the  vomer  is  forked  in 
front  and  joins  the  separated  maxillo-palatines,  as  in 
Megalama  asiatica  ;  but  GABROD  has  remarked  upon  the 
fact  that  in  this  character  (the  widely  separate  maxillo- 
palatines)  the  palate  of  Indicator  is  more  like  that  of  the 
Picidte  than  are  the  Capitonidse. 

ALCEDINES 

Definition. — Aftershaft   absent.     Muscle  formula  of  leg,  AX.     Cseca 
absent.     Both,  carotids  present.     Skull  desmognathous. 

The  kingfishers  form  a  natural  assemblage   of  birds— 
Alcedinidae — which,  however,  show  some  variations  in  their 
structure. 

Thus,  while  they  generally  agree  with  the  bulk  of  their 
relations  in  having  a  characteristically  tufted  oil  gland, 
tltr  genus  Tanysiptera  (three  species  at  any  rate)  has  a  nude 
oil  gland.  In  this  genus  too  the  rectrices  are  ten,  twelve 
being  the  more  usual  number. 

As  to  pterylosis,  the  kingfishers  are  characterised  by  the 
possession  of  down  feathers  not  only  on  the  pterylae  but 
also  on  the  apteria.  There  is  a  difference  between  Alcedo 
and  Dacelo  in  that  the  latter  has  a  weak  dorsal  tract  in  the 
middle  region  of  the  back,  it  being  stronger  in  front  and 
again  near  the  oil  gland.  In  Alcedo  the  tract  is  of  uniform 
strength  throughout.  The  kingfishers,  like  the  swifts, 
sometimes  possess  and  sometimes  do  not  possess  the  fifth 
cubital  reniex. 

In  Dacelo  gig  ante  a  there  are  fifteen  cervical  vertebrae 
and  only  three  ribs  reach  the  sternum.     In  Dacelo  Gaudi- 


198         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

chaudi  there  are  fourteen  cervical  vertebrae,  and  four  ribs 
reach  the  sternum — a  difference  which  appears  to  me  to 
justify  the  separation  of  the  latter  into  a  distinct  genus, 
Sauromarptis.  Halcyon  smyrnensis  agrees  in  these  points 
with  D.  gig antea. 

The  last  cervicals  (from  10 J)  and  the  dorsal  vertebrae 
(including  the  first  lumbar)  have  well- developed,  often 
bifurcate,  sometimes  trifurcate  haemapophyses.  The  four- 
notched  sternum  has  a  well-developed  spina  externa. 
As  Dr.  CUNNINGHAM  has  pointed  out,  the  lacrymals  of 
Dacelo  are  larger  than  those  of  Ceryle?  and,  I  may  add,  of 
Halcyon  and  Todirhamphus  (= Sauropatis) .  The  skulls  of 
the  genera  above  mentioned  are  remarkable  for  the  fact  that 
the  temporal  fossae  as  nearly  as  possible  meet  behind  :  there 
is  only  a  slight  bridge  dividing  them.  The  lacrymal, 
moreover,  dilates  into  a  wide  plate,  with  a  notch,  on  the  inner 
side  of  which  is  received  the  small  flat-pointed  prefrontal 
process  of  the  ethmoid.  I  have  observed  these  skull  cha- 
racters in  the  Coraciidae.  The  clavicle  reaches  the  scapula 
and  gives  off  a  longish  acromial  process.  The  nares  are 
impervious. 

In  Sauropatis  albicilla,  Dacelo  gigantea,  Cittura  cyanotis, 
and  Pelargopsis  (FURBBINGER)  the  tensores  patagii  have 
the  somewhat  complicated  arrangement  shown  in  the  figure 
(fig.  94).  There  are  two  tensor  brevis  tendons,  of  which 
the  anterior,  after  giving  off  a  wristward  slip,  is  continued 
over  the  arm  to  the  lower  side,  fanning  out  as  it  goes. 
There  is  in  all  a  passeriniform  tendinous  slip.  Dacelo  has 
a  muscular  pectoralis  propatagialis.  Sauromarptis  Gaudi- 
chaudi  and  Sauropatis  sanctus  are  quite  similar.  There  is, 
in  Pelargopsis  at  least,  a  tendinous  slip  from  pectoralis  I. 
to  both  longus  and  brevis  tendons. 

In  Callalcyon  rufa  (fig.  93)  there  is  a  simplification, 
only  the  anterior  of  the  two  tendons  being  present ;  the 
passeriniform  slip  is  barely  marked.  In  Alcedo  there  is  a 
still  further  '  degeneration  ;  '  not  only  is  the  passeriniform 

1  On  CIO  there  is  a  paired  hasmapophysis  in  Dacelo. 

-  SHUFELDT,  'On  the  Osteology  of  Ceryle,'  J.  Anat.  Phys.  xviii.  p.  27'.). 


ALCED1NES 


L99 


slip  absent,  but  the  wristward  slip  is  hardly  shown.  There 
is  a  fleshy  pectoralis  propatagialis  joining  the  longus  tendon. 

In  Ccnjlc  alcyon  the  two  tensor  brevis  tendons  form  a 
broad  diffused  tendon,  to  which  is  joined,  before  it  gives  off 
the  wristward  slip,  a  peculiar  long  (hornbill-like)  pectoralis 
propatagialis  tendon. 

In  Alcyon  Lessoni  we  have  the  most  simple  form  of 
tensor  brevis  without  any  1.) ranch. 


Fir,.  92. — TENSOEES  PATAGII     FIG.  93. — TENSOEES 
OF  Ccrylc  alcijon.  PATAGII  OF  Callal- 

cyon  rufa. 


FIG.  94.— TENSOEES  PATAHII 
OF  Sauropatis  albicilla. 


In  Syma  the  tensor  brevis  consists  of  two  tendons,  but 
the  anterior  has  no  wristward  slip  at  all. 

There  is  never  a  biceps  slip.  The  deltoid  has  a  scapular 
slip. 

The  expansor  secunda  riorum  appears  sometimes  to  be 
absent.  But  it  is  present  in  Dacelo,  Tanysiptera,  Syma,  and 
Cittura.  Dacelo,  at  any  rate,  has  no  humeral  slip  to  the 


The  leg  muscle  formula  is,  without  exception,  AX  -    . 
In  Dacelo  there  is  but  one  peroneal,  which  is  the  brevis. 
The    deep   flexor    tendons    vary    somewhat.     In    Dacelo 
gigantea  the  arrangement  of  these  tendons  is,  as  Professor 


200         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF  BIRDS 

GAREOU  pointed  out,  precisely  that  of  Momotn-s.  But  in 
Halcyon  vagans  the  two  tendons  blend  completely  before 
the  branches  to  the  toes,  all  arising  approximately  at  the 
same  level,  are  given  off.  The  structure  of  the  conjoined 
tendon,  however,  seems  to  suggest  that  the  flexor  hallucis  is 
concerned  with  the  supply  of  digits  III.,  IV. 

In  some  kingfishers  there  is  a  myological  peculiarity  not 
found  in  any  other  group  of  birds.  Dr.  R.  0.  CUNNINGHAM 
discovered  in  Ceryle  stellata  a  strong  transverse  tendon 
uniting  the  two  biventri  cervicis  close  to  the  upper  belly  of 
the  muscles.  He  failed  to  find  this  junction  in  Alcedo  ispida 
and  Dacelo  gigantea.  T  any  sip  t  era  and  Cittura  l  have  this 
link,  but  not  Syma,  Halcyon,  or  Sauropatis.'2 

The  following  table  gives  the  intestinal  lengths  of  two 
species  :— 

Ceryle  amazona  .  .  24    inches 


Halcyon  sp. 


The  right  lobe  of  the  liver  seems  to  be  always  larger 
than  the  left. 

I  have  examined  the  syrinx  in  Dacelo  cervina.  The  last 
tracheal  rings  are  completely  fused  in  front  to  form  a  bony 
box,  which  shows  no  traces  of  the  number  of  rings  of  which 
it  is  composed.  These  rings  appear  to  be  five  or  six  in 
number,  and,  with  the  exception  of  the  last,  are  fused 
together  in  the  middle  line  behind.  In  front  of  this  box  the 
tracheal  rings  interlock  in  the  usual  fashion.  The  first 
bronchial  semi-ring,  which  is  ossified,  is  firmly  united  to,  but 
not  fused  wilh,  the  tracheal  box ;  the  succeeding  rings  are 
cartilaginous.  The  syrinx  has  two  pairs  of  intrinsic  muscles  ; 
the  most  anterior  is  the  more  slender ;  the  wider  muscle 
arises  from  the  trachea,  just  where  the  extrinsic  muscles  are 
given  off,  and  is  attached  to  the  first  and  apparently  also  to 
the  second  bronchial  semi-ring. 

In  Ceryle  alcyon  there  are  no  great  differences,  but  the 

1  In  one  of  two  specimens  of  S.  vayans  it  was  present. 

-  '  Notes  011  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  the  Kingfisher,'  P.  Z.  S.  1870, 
p.  280.  See  also  BEDDARD,  P.  Z..  S.  189G,  p.  (508. 


ALCEDINES  201 

rings  forming  the  box  are  not  so  completely  fused,  and  the 
larger  intrinsic  muscle  arises  n 
the  commencement  of  the  box. 


larger  intrinsic  muscle  arises  much  lower  down — in  fact,  at 


COLII 

Definition.— Aftersliaft    present  ;  oil  gland  tufted.     Muscle    formula, 
AXY  ;  biceps  slip  present.    Caeca  absent.    Skull  desmognathous. 

Of  the  family  Coriidse  there  is  only  a  single  genus,  African 
in  range  and  including  something  like  nine  species. 

The  toes  aTe  remarkable  for  the  fact  that  the  zygodacty- 
lous  condition  can  be  assumed ;  the  first  toe  can  be  directed 
forwards,1  the  fourth  backwards.  There  are  ten  rectrices  ;  a 
tufted  oil  gland  and  an  aftcrsJiaft  are  present. 

The  ptcrylosis  described  by  NITZSCH  is  remarkable  for 
the  width  of  the  pterylae.  The  ventral  tract  almost  com- 
pletely covers  the  ventral  side  of  the  body ;  towards  the 
outside  the  feathers  are  stronger,  but  there  is  no  outer  branch. 
The  spinal  tract  is  narrow  and  strongly  feathered  upon  the 
neck ;  on  the  occiput  is  a  bare  space,  reminding  one  of  that 
in  a  similar  position  in  the  Trochilidse.  There  is  no  median 
spinal  apterion. 

In  their  myoluyy  the  colies  are  remarkable  for  possessing 
a  fleshy  biceps  slip.  The  tensor  patagii  brevis  muscle  is  very 
extensive,  and  reaches  nearly  AS  far  as  the  fore  arm.  Its 
very  short  and  single  tendon  sends  back  a  '  passerine  '  slip, 
oblique  in  direction,  and  is  also  continued  over  the  arm. 

The  pectoralis  slips  to  both  longus  and  brevis  are  present. 

The  deltoid,  as  in  so  many  allied  birds,  is  very  extensive. 

The  leg  muscular  formulaic  AXY  —  .  There  is  only  one 
peroneal. 

The  seinimembranosus  is  inserted  below  and  indepen- 
dently of  the  semitendinosus.  The  latter  gives  off  a  tendinous 
slip  to  the  gastrocnemius. 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  blend  before  giving  off  branches 
to  the  toes. 

1  Hence  the  term  '  .pamprodactylous,'  sometimes  used  for  this  family. 


202         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Besides  the  hornbills  and  Macrochires  the  colies  are  the 
only  flying  birds  in  which  the  latixxli/uts  dorsi  metapatagialis 
is  absent. 

The  colies  have  only  the  left  carotid. 

The  stomach  is  not  very  muscular.  The  liver  is  small 
and  has  a  gall  bladder.  There  are  no  cteca.  The  intestines 
are  short,  but  capacious,  measuring  nine  inches. 

The  syrinx  has  been  figured  by  JOHANNES  MULLEE.'  It 
is  quite  typically  tracheo-bronchial. 

The  skeleton  and  the  affinities  of  Colius  have  been  elabo- 
rately treated  of  by  MuRiE.2 

There  are  thirteen  cervical  vertebrae.  Four  ribs  reach  the 
sternum. 

The  skull  is  holorhinal,  without  basipterygoid  processes, 
and  desmognathous.  After  a  careful  maceration  GAREOD  3  was 
unable  to  find  a  vomer,  the  presence  of  which  had  been 
previously4  asserted  (see  fig.  95,  p.  203). 

TROGONES 

Definition. — Feet  zygodactyle  by  reversion  of  second  toe.  Skull 
schizognathous  "with,  basipterygoid  processes.  Oil  gland  nude. 
Left  carotid  alone  present.  Caeca  short.  Ambieiis  absent.  Of 
deep  plantar  tendons  Fl.  hall,  supplies  I.  and  II.,  Fl.  dig.  III. 
and  IV.  Vinculum  joins  them  before  bifurcation  of  each. 

This  family  is  chiefly  American,  but  also  African  and 
Asiatic.5 

The  feathers  of  the  trogons  have  very  well  developed 
aftershafts.  The  pterylosis  is  remarkable  for  the  non- 
bifurcation  of  the  spinal  tract,  which  is  continuous  as  a  single 
tract  to  the  base  of  the  naked  oil  gland.  It  is  dilated  to  form 
a  rhomboidal  area  behind  the  scapula. 

There  are  twelve  rectrices. 

1  '  Ueber  die  bisher  unbekannten  typischen  Verschiedenheiten  der  Stinim- 
organe  der  Passerinen,'  Abli .  A\  Abaci.  Wiss.  1845. 

'-'  '  On  the  Genus  Colius,  its  Structure  aud  Systematic  Place,'  Ibis,  1872, 
p.  263. 

:<  '  Notes  on  the  Anatomy  of  the  Colies  (Colius),'  P.  Z.  S.  1876,  p.  416. 

1  By  MURIE. 

'  Trogon  gallicus  is  an  extinct  species  from  the  Miocene  of  France. 


TROGONES 


Of  the  muscles  of  the  thigh  which  Professor  GARROD 
regarded  as  of  importance  there  are  present  the  femorocaudal 
and  the  semitendinosus,  the  accessories  of  both  being  absent. 
The  femorocaudal  is  proportionately  larger  than  in  almost 
any  bird.  There  is  no  glut  ecus  primus.  The  obturator 
interims  is  small  and  oval.  The  singular  arrangement 
of  the  deep  plantar  tendons 
is  used  in  the  definition  of 
the  family.  The  two  tendons 
concerned  each  supply  two 
digits,  this  arrangement  being 
unique.  In  the  fore  limb 
there  is  no  biceps  slip  to  the 
patagium.  The  patagial  muscles 
and  tendons  are  much  compli- 
cated ;  they  have  been  figured 
by  GARROD  for  Trogon  puella. 
The  very  powerful  tensor 
brevis  muscle  runs  as  a  muscle 
nearly  to  the  extensors  of  the 
fore  arm  ;  it  has  a  short  broad 
tendinous  insertion  on  to  the 
fascia  of  the  outer  surface  of 
the  arm,  and  this  is  specially 
developed,  a  line  running  back 
to  the  humerus,  as  in  the 
Passeres  (see  p.  172).  Deeper 
than  this  are  twro  parallel 
tendons  :  of  these  the  one  nearer  the  humerus  terminates 
exactly  like  the  single  one  of  the  Passeres  ;  the  other  tendon 
ends  as  in  the  Pici,  elsewhere  described.  There  is  no  expansor 
secandariorum. 

The  tongue  of  the  trogons  is  short  and  three-sided.  It 
is  pointed  in  front.  The  left  lobe  of  the  liver  is  a  little  the 
smaller.  Among  GARROD' s  notes  are  the  following  measure- 
ments of  the  intestines  and  the  caeca  in  three  species  of 
trogons,  which  we  reproduce  :— 


FIG.  95.— SKULL  OF  Colitis  caxtano- 
nolits.     VENTRAL  ASPECT.    (AFTER 

GrAKEOD.) 


204         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


— 

Trogon  niexicaims 

Tr.  puella               I'liaromacrus  mociuim 

Intestine   . 
Cffica 

1O5  inches 
1-25  and  1  inch 

8-5  inches 
1-1  inch 

16  inches 
1'75  inch 

There  is  no  crop  ;  the  gizzard  is  thin-walled  and  large  ;    the 
proventriculus  is  zonary. 

The  most  remarkable  matter  concerning  the  osteology  of 
the  trogons  is  the  curious  mistake  which  was  originally  made 
as  to  the  nature  of  the  palate.  HUXLEY,  in  his  paper  upon  the 
classification  of  birds,  came  to  the  conclusion,  from  a  single 
incomplete  skull  of  Trogvn  Heinwardti,  that  the  skull  was, 
like  its  presumed  allies,  desmognathous.  Later  FORBES  l  was 
able  to  show  in  five  species  that  the  maxillo-palatines  were 
not  united  across  the  middle  line,  but  that  they  terminated 
in  a  spongy  expansion  some  way  from  each  other.  The  end 
of  the  vomer,  is  thin  and  filiform.  The  lacryrnal  is  somewhat 
styliform,  and  reaches  the  jugal  bar  ;  there  appear  to  be  no 
ossified  ectethmoids.  The  palatines  of  the  trogons  are 
peculiar.  Instead  of  being  flat  plates,  as  in  Cor&cias,  for  ex- 
ample, the  outer  portions  of  the  bones  are  bent  upwards,  and 
cling  closely  to  the  basis  cranii.  The  twro  palatines  are, 
moreover,  fused  posteriorly,  and  the  pterygoids  where  they 
articulate  with  them  are  expanded.  They  are  holorhinal 
with  impervious  nares.  The  trogons  have  fifteen  cervical 
vertebra.  The  atlas  is  perforated  by  the  odontoid  process  ; 
four  or  five  ribs  reach  the  sternum.  The  sternum  has  two 
incisions  behind,  and  the  bifid  spina  externa. 


CORACIJE 

Definition. —  After-shaft  present  Muscle  formula,  AXY  ;  expansor 
secundariorum  present.  Cseca  generally  present.  Desmogna- 
thous. 

The    Coraciidse    are    entirely    Old-World    birds,    chiefly 
massed  in  the  Ethiopian  region,  but  extending  as  far  as  the 

1  '  Note  on  the  Structure  of  the  Palate   in  the  Trogons,'   P.  Z.   tf.  1881, 
p.  83G. 


CORACLE  -205 

Australian.  The  genera  allowed  by  DBESSER  in  his  recent 
monograph  of  the  family  are  Cort/dax,  Eurystomus,  Brachy- 
pteracias,  Atelornis,  and  Leptosomus.  They  are  distributed 
by  him  in  three  subfamilies  ;  the  first  two  genera  constitute 
the  first,  the  next  two  the  second,  while  Leptosomus  is  placed 
in  a  subfamily  by  itself.  The  rollers  have  an  anisodactyle 
foot  ;  the  feathers  have  an  after  shaft  ;  but  the  oil  gland  is 
nude.  The  pterylosis  has  been  studied  by  NITZSCH,  FORBES, 
and  by  myself.1  In  Eurystomus  orient  alis  the  ventral  tracts 
commence  as  two  from  the  very  first  ;  at  the  angle  of  the 
mandible  they  are  double.  Though  NITZSCH  has  figured 
the  pterylosis  of  the  throat  of  Coracias  garrulus  as  if  it  were 
continuous,  I  do  not  find  any  difference  from  Eurystomus  in 
this  particular.  On  the  breast  the  two  divisions  of  the 
ventral  tract  remain  single  ;  there  is  hardly  a  trace  of  the 
outer  branch.  The  tracts  are  here  rather  wide.  The  dorsal 
pterylosis  narrows  gradually  until  between  the  shoulders, 
where  the  feathering  is  very  strong,  and  where  it  divides 
into  two  branches  ;  these  unite  again  just  at  the  articulation 
of  the  femora,  and  finally  terminate  a  little  way  in  front  of 
the  oil  gland. 

Leptosomus  has  a  slightly  different  pterylosis  ;  the 
ventral  tract  is  single  to  about  an  inch  behind  the  junction 
of  the  mandibular  rami  ;  for  a  considerable  distance  the 
ventral  band  is  continuous  with  the  dorsal,  so  that  the 
lateral  neck  spaces  do  not  commence  until  about  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  above  the  shoulder.  About  the  middle 
of  the  sternum  the  pectoral  tract  of  either  side  gives  off  an 
outer  branch  some  four  feathers  wide  and  slightly  stronger 
than  the  main  tract.  The  two  forks  of  the  dorsal  tract 
run  in  between  each  other,  the  narrower  posterior  portion 
between  the  limbs  of  the  wider  anterior  portion,  as  is  the 
case  with  so  many  birds.  FORBES  has  noted  that  Atelornis 
has  a  pterylosis  which  agrees  with  that  of  Eurystomus, 
already  described. 

Leptosomus  differs,  however,  from  the  remaining  Coraciidae 
in  the  possession  of  powder-down  patches,  which  were  first 

1   See  anatomical  preface  to  DRESSER'S  monograph  of  the  group. 


206 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


described  by  ScLATEE.1  There  are  two  patches  in  the 
lumbar  region,  lying  between  the  dorsal  and  the  femoral 
tracts. 

The  tongue  of  the  rollers  wants  the  spiny  fringe  at  the 
base  which  is  so  common  a  feature  of  this  organ  in  other  birds ; 
it  is  horny  in  front  and  entire  at  the  tip.  The  liver  has  a 
larger  right  lobe  and  a  gall  bladder. 

The  following  are  intestinal  measurements:- 


— 

Small  Intestine 

Large  Intestine 

2|  inches 
1    inch 
9 

Casca 

1  ,<<!>!  osomus  . 
I'liiniKtomns 
Coracias 

9f  inches 
10      „ 
11     •„ 

1  2J,  2f  inches 
H  inch 
2-2  inches 

The   tensores  patagii  of  Leptosomus   are  figured  in  the 
accompanying  cut.2     The    brevis  tendon  gives  off  a  wrist- 

ward  slip  just  before  its  attach- 
ment to  the  tendon  of  extensor 
metacarpi  radialis  longus,  over 
which  it  passes  to  be  inserted 
below.  There  is  no  biceps  slip. 
Coracias  gar  ml  us  is  the 
same  save  for  the  fact  that 
there  are  two  separate  brevis 
tendons,  from  the  first  of  which 
the  anterior  gives  off  the 
wristward  slip  ;  the  inner 
thinner  tendon  of  these  does  not 
cross  the  wrist.  Eurystomus 

does  not  differ.      In  these  birds 
FIG.  9(5.-  -TENSORES  PATAGII  OF  Lev-  ,,  "11    T        i 

tosomus  (AFTER  FORBES).  there   is    a    well-developed  ex- 

of     the 


/',  lutiifdum  ;  t.p.bi;  tensor  patagii  brevis:    pailSOT 

e.mr,  extensor  metacarpi  ;?,  its  origin.  . 

fully     developed     type,    which 
Professor  GAEEOD  has  called  '  ciconiiform.' 

The  muscle  formula  of  the  leg  is  AXY—  .     The  glut  ecus 
maximum  does  not   reach   below    the    acetabulum  ;    the  gl. 

1  '  On  the  Structure  of  Lcptosoma  discolor,'  P.  '/..  N.  LSI  Jo,  p.  (382. 
-  From  FORBES,  'On  the  Anatomy  of  Leptasoma  discolor,'  P.  Z.  S.  1880. 
p.  4(i4. 


COKACL'E  207 

externu*  is  present  in  Eurystomus,  represented  by  a  ligament 
in  Coracias.  The  deep  flexor  tendons  are  of  type  V.,  where 
the  two  tendons  blend  before  the  four  branches  are  given  off 
to  the  to.es.  TSoth peroneals  are  present.  The  carotids  of  the 
CoraciidcTB  are  two.  In  Leptosomus  FORBES  found  that  the 
two  arteries  run  up  close  together,  but  are  not  fused  in  the 
hypapophysial  canal.  He  thinks  that  they  may  be,  like 
those  of  Bu-corvns,1  no  longer  functional  as  blood  vessels. 

The  syrinx  of  the  Coraciidae  is  quite  typically  tracheo- 
bronchial.  In  C.  garrulus  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached 
to  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring.  These  semi-rings  are  ossified  ; 
the  rest  of  the  bronchial  semi-rings  are  more  slender  and  not 


FIG.  97. — SYBINX  OF  Leptosomus  (AFTER  FORBES).     THE  LEFT- 
HAND  FIGURE  PROM  IN  FRONT,  THE  EIGHT  FROM  BEHIND. 

ossified.  In  Eurystomus  the  only  difference  is  in  the  fact  that 
the  three  semi-rings  following  the  first  are  closely  attached  to 
it  and  to  each  other,  and  appear  to  be  ossified ;  after  these 
are  the  broader  soft  cartilaginous  semi-rings.  The  syrinx  of 
Leptosomus  (fig.  97)  is  rather  different ;  it  appears  to  be  ' 
an  extreme  development  of  the  type  found  in  Eurystomus. 
The  first  three  bronchial  semi-rings,  like  the  last  tracheal 
rings,  are  ossified  ;  the  first  of  them  appears  to  be  nearly,  if 
not  quite,  a  complete  ring.  The  fourth  and  the  succeeding 
semi-rings  are  cartilaginous  ;  to  the  former  are  attached  the 
intrinsic  muscles.  In  the  commencing  formation  of  a 
'  bronchial  syrinx '  Leptosomus  evidently  gives  a  hint  of 
cuckoo  affinities,  to  which  group,  however,  its  structure  in 
general  does  not  incline. 

There    are   fourteen    cervical   vertebrae   in    Leptosomus, 

1  Cf.  p.  215. 


208         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

thirteen  or  fourteen  in  other  Coraciid&e.  The  atlas  (Coracias) 
is  notched  for  the  odontoid  process ;  C2-4,  C10-D2  have 
hsemapophyses.  On  C13  and  14  there  are  also  a  pair  of 
downward  processes  (catapophyses),  one  on  each  side  of  the 
hsemapophysis,  which,  in  the  case  of  C14,  arise  from  a 
common  base  with  it  and  on  Dl  from  its  tip. 

In  Eurystomus  the  atlas  is  perforated.  Four  (Lepto- 
sonius  !)  or  five  (some  other  forms)  ribs  reach  the  sternum, 
which  is  singly  or  doubly  notched  on  either  side,  and  has  a 
spina  externa  but  no  spina  interna.  The  skull  is  desmogna- 
thous,  holorhinal,  without  basipterygoid  processes.  The 
rollers  have  the  same  peculiar  lacrymal  that  has  been  referred 
to  above  in  the  kingfishers.  The  bone  expands  enormously 
below  and  comes  into  near  relations,  but  does  not  fuse,  with  a 
slight  ectethmoid  ;  the  lacrymal  reaches  the  jugal.  Another 
peculiarity  of  the  coraciid  skull  is  the  very  large  postfrontal 
process,  which  descends  in  a  straight  line  and  actually 
reaches  the  jugal.  These  remarks  apply  not  only  to  Coracias, 
but  to  Eurystomus  and  Atelornis,  in  which  latter,  however, 
the  postfrontal  process  is  not  quite  so  long. 

The  family  Meropidae  consists  of  the  genus  Merops,  and 
of  a  few  others  which  have  been  carefully  monographed  by 
DRESSER.  Like  the  rollers  the  bee-eaters  are  an  exclusively 
Old-AVorld  family,  ranging  through  the  Patearctic,  Ethiopian, 
Oriental,  and  Australian  regions,  but  again,  like  the  rollers 
predominating  in  the  Ethiopian. 

As  to  external  characters,  the  oil  aland  is  nude  ;  the 
rectrices  are  twelve ;  the  feathers  have  an  aftersliaft.  The 
pterylosis  (described  by  NITZSCH  and  by  myself'2)  is  as 
follows  :— 

The  spinal  tract  is  wide,  and  is  at  first  connected  round 
the  neck  with  the  ventral  tract.  About  halfway  down  the 

1  The  osteology  (and  some  of  the  viscera)  of  Leptosomus  is  described  and 
figured  by  MILNE-EDWARDS  in  the  Histoirc  Naturdl'  tic  Madagascar.  See  also 
for  the  family  NITZSCH  and  GIEBEL,  '  Znr  Anatomic  der  Blauracke,'  Zcitschr. 
f.  d,  gcs.  Naturw.  x.  p.  318. 

-  In  anatomical  preface  to  DKESSEH'S  monograph. 


CORACLE  209 

neck  it  becomes  separate,  and  terminates  in  a  truncate  or 
sometimes  bifurcate  extremity  between  the  shoulder  blades  ; 
at  this  point  there  is  a  break  and  the  rest  of  the  spinal 
tract  is  double,  enclosing  a  space  bounded  by  two  distinctly 
conical  tracts,  which  gradually  get  narrower  to  their  point 
of  fusion,  a  little  way  in  front  of  the  oil  gland.  The  ventral 
tract  is  double  from  close  to  its  point  of  origin  ;  the  two 
tracts  get  wide  upon  the  pectoral  region,  whence  they 
gradually  dwindle  to  a  single  feather  wide  close  to  their 
termination  ;  the  pectoral  tracts  have  no  outer  branch. 

Nyctiornis  has  two  carotids  ;  most  of  the  others  have 
only  one,  the  left.  The  bee-eaters  have  long  cceca,  like  the 
Coraciidae.  In  a  specimen  of  M.  ornatus  with  the  intestines 
only  5^  inches  they  measured  iinch;  in  a  larger  species 
1  inch. 

The  proventriculus  is  zonary  ;  the  right  lobe  of  the  liver 
the  larger,  and  with  a  gall  bladder. 

The  tensor  patagii  b  rev  is  tendon  gives  off  a  wristward 
slip,  and  a  '  passeriform  '  slip  to  the  humeral  at  its  insertion 
to  the  fore  arm,  which  it  does  not  cross.  There  is  no  biceps 
slip,  but  there  is  a  fleshy  slip  to  longus  from  pectoralis  ;  that 
to  brevis  is  entirely  tendinous,  there  being  in  both  an 
agreement  with  Coracias. 

The  deltoid  extends  a  long  way  down  the  humerus  ;  it 
receives  a  tendinous  slip  from  the  scapula,  which  passes  under 
the  latissimus  dorsi  and  over  the  anconaus  longus.  The 
latter  muscle  has  a  humeral  head,  but  not  in  Nyctiornis. 

The  expansor  secundariorum  is  present  and  '  ciconiine.' 

The  leg  formula  is  AXY— .  The  deep  flexor  tendons  are 
as  in  fig.  55,  p.  100  ;  the  flexor  hallucis  gives  off  a  slip  to  the 
hallux  before  it  fuses  with  the  flexor  communis. 

The  Meropidse  have  fourteen  cervical  vertebrce.  The 
atlas  is  perforated  by  the  odontoid  process.  There  are 
hsemapophyses  on  C2-4,  C10-D1  ;  that  of  C14  is  trifurcate. 
Four  ribs  reach  the  sternum,  which  has  two  lateral  notches, 
of  which  the  outer  is  the  deeper,  and  has  both  external  and 
internal  spina,  the  latter  being  bifid,  as  in  Passeres  and 
some  other  birds.  The  clavicles  have  an  acromial  process,. 


210         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

as  in  the  kingfishers.  The  skull  is  desmognathous,holorhinal, 
without  basipterygoid  processes.  The  descending  limb  of 
the  lacrymal  nearly  unites — is  connected  by  cartilage — with 
the  slender  ectethmoid,  thus  forming  a  ring.  The  nostrils 
in  the  dried  skull  are  pervious. 

The  desmognathism  of  Merops  is  different  from  that  of  its 
allies.  The  maxillo-palatines  are  long,  slender,  recurved 
plates,  like  those  of  passerines.  They  are  fused  in  the  middle 
line  to  a  broad  plate  of  bone,  but  the  free  ends  of  the  maxillo- 
palatines  extend  backwards  for  some  distance  independently 
of  this.  The  palate  in  front  of  the  maxillo-palatines  is  to 
some  extent  vacuolate.  The  vomer  is  a  single  rodlike  bone. 

The  Momotidae  '  are  South  and  Central  American,  com- 
prising the  genera  (perhaps  subgenera)  Momotus,  Hylomanes, 
Baryphthengus,  and  some  others.  They  are  placed  by 
GADOW  in  close  association  with  the  todies,  but  there  are 
various  points  in  which  they  differ  from  that  family,  upon 
which  stress  has  been  laid  by  FOBBES.  It  is  mainly  to  the 
last-mentioned  observer  2  and  to  GABBOD  3  that  the  existing 
knowledge  of  the  family  is  due.  The  external  characters  of 
the  family  show  some  variation  ;  in  Momotus  the  oil  gland 
is  quite  nude ;  in  Hylomanes  and  Eumomota  the  apex  is 
furnished  with  a  few  small  plumes.  Momotus  has  twelve 
rectrices  ;  Hy  loman.es,  Prionorhynchus,  Baryphthengus,  ten. 
A  remarkable  characteristic  of  the  motmots  are  the  two 
central  racket-shaped  rectrices,  which  matter  was  investi- 
gated twenty  years  ago  by  SALVIN.4  It  appears  that 
the  original  account  given  by  WATEBTON  of  the  birds  nibbling 
off  the  vanes  is  perfectly  correct,  for  it  was  observed  by 
BABTLETT  at  the  Zoological  Society's  Gardens.  As  a  rule 
the  bird  only  nibbles  at  the  two  long  central  rectrices,  but 
SALVIN  reports  a  case  where  a  bird  had  sought  fresh  fields 
and  had  attacked  others  of  its  feathers.  It  is  a  very  remark  - 

1  J.  MUEIE,  '  On  the  Motmots  and  their  Affinities,'  Ibis  (3),  ii.  1872,  p.  383. 
-  Collected  papers,  passim. 

3  Collected  papers,  passim,    '  On  the  Systematic  Position  of  Momotidce,' 
P   Z.  S.  1878,  p.  100. 

1  •  On  the  Tail  Feathers  of  Momotus,'  P.  7,.  S.  1S73,  p.  429. 


CORACLK 

able  fact  that  when  the  rectrices  in  question  first  appear 
they  are  narrower  at  the  points  where  the  nibbling  occurs,  and 
where  they  will  be  ultimately  denuded,  than  they  are  else- 
where. But  an  inheritance  of  this  particular  acquired 
character  can  hardly  be  asserted. 

An  a/tcrshaft  is  present,  but  small. 

The  tensores  patagii  are  simple,  and  there  is  no  biceps 
slip.  There  is  a  fleshy  pectoralis  propata(//<i!/s.  The  tensor 
brevis  consists  of  two  parallel  tendons,  the  anterior  of  which 
does  not  give  off  a  wristward  slip.  The  fan  to  the  ulna  arises 
in  M.  brasiliensis  and  M.  cequatorialis  as  a  continuation  of 
the  hinder  of  the  two  tendons,  in  M.  Lessoni  between  them. 
Hijlomanes  gularis  agrees  with  the  first.  The  anconceus  has 
a  humeral  slip.  The  somewhat  rudimentary  cxpansor 
secundariorum  only  reaches  the  margin  of  the  teres. 

The  deltoid  is  large  ;  its  attachment  to  humerus  is  longer 
in  Hijlomanes  than  in  Momutus  (f-i).  There  is  a  separate 
tendinous  scapular  slip. 

The  muscular  formula  of  leg  is  AXY  — .  Both peroneals 
are  present.  The  deep  flexor  tendons  of  the  motmots  are 
rather  peculiar  in  their  structure.  It  will  be  observed  that 
the  slip  to  the  hallux  is  given  off  before  the  flexor  hallucis 
joins  the  flexor  longus. 

The  first  gluteal  (gl.  maxim  its)  is  only  present  in  front  of 
the  acetabulum.  The  glittfcus  externns  is  absent  as  a  distinct 
muscle,  but  the  insertion  of  glutceus  II.  extends  so  far  round 
the  head  of  the  femur  that  it  may  represent  also  the  other- 
wise missing  muscle. 

The  gizzard  is  stronger  in  Hijlomanes  than  in  Momotux, 
and  is  almost  '  ptilopine  '  in  section. 

The  tongue  is  long,  bifid  at  the  apex,  and  worn  into  fila- 
ments. In  the  alimentary  canal  the  caca  are  absent  ;  the  in- 
trxtincs  measure  fourteen  inches  in  M.  Lessoni,  eighteen  inches 
in  M.  brasiliensis.  The  right  lobe  of  the  liver  is  the  larger, 
and  there  is  a  gall  bladder. 

There  are  two  carotids.     The  femoral  vein  is  abnormal. 

The  syrinx  has  been  described  by  GARROD  and  is  figured 
by  him.  It  does  not  apparently  differ  widely  from  genus  to 


212         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

genus.     The  last  few  tracheal  rings  are  fused,  but  there  is 
not  a  complete  pessulus. 

The  motmots  have  fifteen  cervical  vertebra.  The  atlas  is 
perforated  by  the  odontoid  process.  Cl-5,  C11-D3  have 
median  hypapophyses  ;  on  C14-D2  are  a  pair  of  inferolateral 
processes,  which  gradually  approach  the  median  line  until 
they  spring  from  a  common  base  in  Dl ,  and  are  just  visible  as 
rudiments  towards  the  tip  of  the  haemapophysis  of  D2.  In 
Hylomanes  there  is  also  a  double  hypapophysis  on  CIO.  Three 
or  four  ribs  reach  the  sternum,  which  has  (Momotus)  four 
foramina,  or  (Hylomanes)  two  notches  and  two  foramina, 
and  a  bifid  spina  externa.  The  skull  is  desmognathous  and 
holorhinal.  The  lacrymals  are  rudimentary  ;  the  ectethmoids 
are  very  small  and  do  not  nearly  reach  them.  Nares 
impervious,  pervious  in  Hylomanes. 

The  West  Indian  todies  (Todidae)  form  a  very  distinct 
family ;  their  structure  has  been  chiefly  investigated  by 
MURIE  i  and  FOEBES.*  They  are  small  birds  with  feet  in 
which  the  syndactylism  is  more  marked  than  in  motmots  and 
some  others.  The  annexed  cut  shows  that  the  digits  IV. 
and  V.  are  united  together  as  far  as  the  end  of  the  third 
phalanx  of  the  one  and  the  second  of  the  other.  The 
oil  gland  is  tufted. 

The  skull  is  very  imperfectly  desmognathous.  The  two 
maxillo-palatines  are  not  united  together ;  they  are  com- 
pletely free  from  each  other  and  from  a  median  ossified  nasal 
septum.  There  seems  to  be  no  vomer.  The  descending 
portion  of  the  lacrymals  is  large  and  broad  ;  the  ectethmoids, 
on  the  other  hand,  are  small.  The  interorbital  septum  is 
widely  fenestrate.  There  are  fifteen  cervical  vertebrae.  The 
intestines  are,  according  to  Mr.  FOEBES,  remarkably  short, 
not  measuring  altogether  more  than  3^  inches  ;  on  the  other 
hand  the  cceca  are  as  remarkably  long  (considering  the  sys- 

1  '  On  the  Skeleton  of  Todus,'  &c.,  P.  Z.  S.  1872,  p.  664. 

-  '  On  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  the  Todies  (Tocliclse),  and  on  the 
Affinities  of  that  Group,'  ibid.  1882,  p.  442.  See  also  BEICHEXOW,  '  Ueber  daa 
Genus  Todus,'  &c.,  Journ.  f.  Ornith.  xxxi.  1883,  p.  430. 


CO11A.ODE 


teniatic  position  of  the  bird)  ;  they  measure  about  one-third 
of  an  inch.  The  cseca  are  narrowed  at  their  origin  from  the 
gut,  and,  as  in  the  owls,  &c.,  dilated  apically.  The  deep  plantar 
tendons  vary  from  the  arrangement  common  to  the  group  in 
that  the  slip  to  the  hallux  is  given  off  before  the  blending  of 
the  two.  The  arrangement,  in  fact,  is  as  in  the  motmots. 
There  is  an  expansor  secundariorum  ceasing  at  the  axillary 
margin  of  the  teres,  in  the  gallinaceous  fashion.  The  syrinx 
has  at  the  middle  a  bony  box,  which  is  formed  of  three  or  four 
bronchial  rings  united  with  about  two  tracheal  rings.  It  is 


FIG.  98. — FOOT  OF  Todus  (AFTEK 
FORBES).  THE  DIGITS  AND  THE 
PHALANGES  ARE  NUMBERED. 


FIG.  99. — FOOT  OF  Momotiis 
(AFTER  FORBES).  LETTERS 
AS  IN  FIG.  98. 


only  ventrally  that  the  fusion  is  complete.     The  intrinsic 
muscles  cease  at  the  last  tracheal  ring  but  one. 

The  Galbulidse  are  a  family  of  neotropical  birds,  com- 
prising the  genera  Galbula,  Urogalba,  Jacamerops,  &c.,  and 
known  as  puff  birds. 

They  are  zijgodactyle,  with  a  nude  oil  gland,  twelve  rec- 
trices,  and  a  small  after  shaft. 

The  pterylosis  of  Galbula  rufoviridis  is  as  follows  :— 

The  inferior  tract  is  double  from  the  angle  of  the  jaw ; 
just  before  leaving  the  neck  each  tract  gives  off  a  short 
branch,  about  six  rows  of  two  feathers,  which  runs  on  to  the 


iil4         STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

margin  of  pectoralis.  The  main  tract  itself  is  also  only  two 
feathers  broad.  It  sends  off,  about  halfway  down  sternal  keel, 
a  short  curved  outer  branch,  which  runs  outwards  and  then 
forwards  towards  axilla,  nearly  meeting  a  second  outer  branch 
which  is  given  off  by  the  tract  on  opposite  side  to  the  inner 
branch,  already  spoken  of.  The  dorsal  tract  has  a  slight 
break  ;  the  very  short  interscapular  fork  is  of  strong  feathers 
and  connected  with  posterior  part  only  by  a  very  few 
feathers  which  are  weak  and  arranged  uniserially. 

The  tongue  is  long  and  thin,  tapering  to  a  filament  ante- 
riorly ;  a  gall  bladder  seems  to  be  absent.  In  a  specimen  of 
G.  rufoviridis  the  intestinal  measurements  were  as  follows  : 
s.  i.,  4g15  inches  ;  1.  i.,  -75  inch;  caeca,  -7  inch. 

The  Galbulidse  have  an  expansor  secundarioniin,  but  no 
biceps  slip.  The  tensor  patagii  brevis  tendon  of  Galbi/lah'&s 
no  wristward  slip.  It  is  merely  a  single  tendon  ;  in  Urogalba 
there  is  a  wristward  slip. 

In  the  leg  the  formula  of  Galbula  is  AXY,  of  Urogalba 
AX,  both  birds,  of  course,  lacking  the  ambiens.  ThegliitfCiiH 
I.  and  V.  are  absent,  at  any  rate  in  Galbula.  The  plantar 
tendons  are  picine. 

Both  carotids  are  present. 

The  skull  of  the  Galbulidte  is  very  like  that  of  the  Bucco- 
nida?  ;  but  there  are  nevertheless  points  of  difference. 

In  Urogalba  paradisea  there  is  a  long  gap  in  the  bony 
palate  in  front  of  the  conjoined  maxillo-palatines,  as  in  Bucco- 
nida?  ;  but  the  palatines  are  more  sloped  off  posteriorly,  and 
their  posterior  halves  are  more  closely  in  contact.  The  de- 
scending process  of  the  lacrymal  is  broader,  and  it  is  perforated 
by  a  large  foramen.  In  Jacamerops  and  Galbula,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  descending  process  of  the  lacrymal  is  very 
slender. 

The  ectethmoids  are  large  and  the  interorbital  and  intra- 
narial  septa  complete. 

There  are  fourteen  cervical  vertebra  ;  the  sternum  has 
two  pairs  of  incisions. 


BUCEROTES 


BUCEROTES 

Definition. — Oil    gland    tufted.     Muscle    formula,    AXY.     Caeca    absent. 

Skull  desmognathous. 

The  well-marked  family  Bucerotidae  contains  at  least  two 
distinct  genera,  Buceros  and  Bucorvus.  The  latter  (the 
ground  hornbill)  is  entirely  African  ;  the  former,  which  has 
been  much  subdivided,  is  both  African  and  Asiatic. 

The  great  casque?  not  always  equally  developed,  and  the 
long  bill,  frequently  serrated  along  its  margins,  and  the 
largely  black  and  white  or  black  plumage  distinguish  these 
birds.  But  the  small  Toccus  is  a  less  typical  form.  The 
syndactyle  foot,  in  which  the  second  and  fourth  toes  are 
united  to  the  third — the  latter  for  several  joints,  the  former 
for  only  one — is  highly  distinctive,  and  is  repeated  in  the 
ground-living  Bucorvus. 

The  oil  gland  is  tufted.  The  feathers  have  no  a/tersJiaft. 
There  are  ten  rectrices. 

The  pterylosis  of  Bucorvus  abyssinicus  has  been  described 
and  figured  by  NITZSCH. 

The  neck  is  completely  feathered,  except  at  its  lower  end, 
both  dorsally  and  ventrally.  The  former  is  the  commence- 
ment of  the  very  narrow  dorsal  space  of  a  long  oval  form, 
but  not  extensive.  The  pectoral  tracks  diverge  at  end  of 
neck,  but  are  subsequently  undivided. 

The  carotids  are  double  in  Bucorvus  ;  the  left  only  is 
present  in  others.  The  remarkable  obliteration  of  the 
carotids  in  the  former  genus,  and  their  replacement  by  a  pair 
superficial  in  position,  have  been  described  by  GARROD  2  and 
O'TTLEY.3 

The  tensores  patagii  are  in  some  ways  characteristic  of 
the  Bucerotidae.  In  Buceros  convexus  (cf.  FURBRINGER) 

1   OWEN,  '  On  the  Anatomy  of  the  Concave  Hornbill,1  P.  Z.  S.  1833,  p.  102. 

-  '  On  a  Peculiarity  in  the  Carotid  Arteries  ...  of  the  Ground  Hornbill, 
P.  Z.  S.  1876,  p.  GO. 

"  '  A  Description  of  the  Vessels  of  the  Head  and  Neck  in  the  Ground  Horn- 
bill,'  ibid.  1879,  p.  461. 


216         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


there  is  no  patagialis  longus.  The  b  re  vis  receives  rather 
low  down  a  very  strong  slip  from  the  pectoral ;  near  to  its 
insertion  it  gives  off  a  wristward  slip,  which  is  attached  to  a 
special  tendon  arising  from  the  lower  end  of  the  humerus. 
The  main  tendon  passes  over  this,  not  attached  to  it,  to  the 
ulnar  side.  The  absent  longus  is  represented  only  by  a 
thinnish  tendon  arising  from  the  pectoralis. 

The  same   structures   are  found  in  B.  malabaricus,  B. 

coronatus,  B.  bicornis,  and  in 
Toccus.  In  B.  atratus  there 
is  in  addition  an  excessively 
small  patagialis  longus  muscle, 
arising  with  brevis  and  con- 
sisting indeed  of  but  very  few 
fibres.  In  Bucorvus,  on  the 
other  hand  (fig.  100),  the  tensor 
patagii  longus  is  well  developed. 
Each  tendon  has  a  slip  from 
pectoralis  (a  and  a'  in  fig.  100), 
but  that  which  joins  brevis 
receives  a  tendinous  slip  from 
the  biceps.  This,  however,  as 
it  is  not  figured  by  FUEBRINGER, 
is  possibly  individual. 

Quite  exceptionally — among 
anomalogonatous  birds— many 
hornbills  have  a  broad  humeral 
attachment  of  the  anconceus. 
The  muscle  itself  arises  from 
the  scapula  by  a  Y-shaped 

(Bucorvus,  Buceros)  or  flat,  non-divided  (Aceros)  head.  The 
humeral  '  ankerung  '  is  found  in  B.  subcylindricus,  B.  bicor- 
nis, not  in  B.  tlatus,  B.  malabaricus,  B.  atratus,  Bucorvus 
abyssinicus,  Aceros,  or  Toccus.  The  deltoid  has  no  scapular 
slip. 

The  leg  formula  of  all  hornbills  is  AXY— . 
The  glut  ecus  maximus  is  quite  absent;  the  gluticus  ex- 
ternus  is  only  present  as  a  ligament. 


FIG.    100. — PATAGIAL    MUSCLES    OF 
Bucorvus  (AFTER  BEDDAKD). 

//,  humerus  ;  Jii,  biceps  ;  Bs,  biceps  slips  (?): 
li.r,  t.p,  tensor  patagii  brevis  tendon  ;  «,  a', 
slips  from  pectoralis. 


BUCEROTES  -217 

The  biceps  is  occasionally  (e.g.  B.  el  at  us)  double  at  its 
origin,  the  tendons  being  separated  by  quite  a  quarter  of  an 
inch. 

The  arrangement  of  the  semitendinosus  and  adductor  in 
Aceros  nipalensis,  which  is  somewhat  complex,  will  be 
understood  from  the  accompanying  drawing  (fig.  101). 

The  semitendinosus  (St)  is  inserted  on  to  the  tibia  by  a 
long,  thin,  flat  tendon ;  another  tendon,  joining  the  first  just 
where  it  passes  into  the  muscle,  is  attached  to  the  gastro- 
cnemius. 

The  accessory  semitendinosus  is  in  two  parts  :  the  larger 
half  (Ast)  is  attached  to  the  semitendinosus  just  behind  the 
origin  of  the  tendon  of  insertion  of  the  latter  ;  the  second 
half  appears  to  arise  from  the  tendon  which  connects  the 
semitendinosus  with  the  gastrocnemius,  it  passes  up  towards 
the  thigh,  and  just  in  front  of  its  (tendinous)  insertion  on  to 
the  femur  it  receives  a  tendon  from  the  adductor.  This 
latter  muscle  (the  adductor  longus)  is  inserted  by  three 
tendons — (1)  to  the  femur;  (2)  a  small  tendon  which  has 
already  been  described  as  joining  the  second  half  of  the 
accessory  tendinosus ;  and  (3)  near  to  the  origin  of  one  of 
the  internal  heads  of  the  gastrocnemius  ;  to  this  tendon  is 
also  attached  the  inner  head  of  the  gastrocnemius. 

The  corresponding  muscles  l  of  Bucoruiis  abyssinicus  are 
rather  simpler  than  in  Aceros  nipalensis.  The  adductor 
longus  is  only  inserted  at  two  places  :  first,  by  a  fleshy  inser- 
tion along  a  considerable  length  of  the  lower  border  of  the 
femur  ;  second,  by  a  tendon  in  common  with  the  inner- 
most head  of  the  gastrocnemius.  The  semitendinosus  is 
attached  by  a  thin  tendon  to  the  tibia,  as  in  Aceros,  and  by  a 
short  tendon,  also  as  in  that  species,  to  the  gastrocnemius. 
The  accessory  semitendinosus  arises  chiefly  from  this  latter 
tendon,  but  there  is  no  division  between  this  part  of  the 
muscle  and  that  which  takes  its  origin  from  the  fleshy  part 
of  the  semitendinosus. 

In  Buceros  atratus  there  is,  again,  some  little  difference 

1  GADOW  figures  most  of  these  muscles  in  Bronn's  TJiicrrcich,  '  Aves,'  J'xl. 
vi.  Abth.  iv.  Taf.  xxiii.  b,  fig.  1. 


'218         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF    BIRDS 

from  both  the  types  already  described,  although  the  resem- 
blances are  on  the  whole  closer  to  Aceros. 

The  adductor  longus  is  attached  by  two  tendinous  heads  ; 
the  upper  one  of  these,  as  inAceros,  is  attached  to  the  lower 
border  of  the  femur  ;  this  corresponds  to  the  fleshy  insertion 
of  the  muscle  in  Bucorvus ;  the  lower  tendon  is  fused  011  its 
way  with  the  inner  head  of  the  gastrocnemius,  which  is 
continued  upwards  and  reaches  the  femur,  and  then  bifur- 
cates into  two  tendons  of  insertion.  The  relations  of  the 


» 


FIG.  101.— LEG  MUSCLES  OF  Aceros  (AFTER  BEDDARD). 


add,  adductor  ;  St,  semiteiidiuosus  ;  As/,  its  accessory  ;  Sm,  semimernbranosus  : 

•/us/,  gastrocnemius. 

semitendinosus  and  of  the  accessory  semitendinosus  are  as 
in  Aceros  nipalensis. 

In  Toccus  these  muscles  are  much  the  same  as  in 
Buceros. 

In  Ceratogymna  elata  I  find  a  closer  resemblance  to 
Aceros  than  to  any  other  of  the  genera  mentioned  in  this 
paper,  but  there  is  an  agreement  with  Bucurviis  in  ih&  fleshy 
insertion  of  the  adductor  longus  on  to  the  lower  border  of 
the  femur.  The  accessory  semitendinosus  is  distinctly  double, 
as  in  Aceros,  and  is  attached  by  a  short  tendon  to  the 


BUCEHOTES  i>19 

adductor,  though  the  direction  of  this  tendon  is  somewhat 
different  from  what  is  found  in  Aceros. 

The  skull  is  doubly  desmognathous.  There  are  distinct 
basipterygoid  processes,  large  in  B.  rhinoceros,  almost  va- 
nished in  A.nipalensis,  with  which,  however,  the  pterygoids 
do  not  articulate.  The  interorbital  septum  is  widely  fenes- 
trate.  The  fused  lacrymals  and  ectethmoids  together  make 
a  large  plate  of  bone  ;  the  postfrontal  processes  are  large. 
The  atlas  is  fused  with  the  axis.  The  haemapophyses  are 
slight.  There  are  fourteen  or  fifteen  cervical  vertebrcc  ;  they 
are  median  in  C12-D2.  C14  and  Dl  have  a  median  and 
two  lateral  processes.1  The  sternum,  which  is  faintly  two- 
or  four-notched,  has  both  spin  a  externa  and  interna. 

The  liver  lobes  present  some  differences  in  different 
horiibills. 

Commencing  with  Bucorvus  abyssinicus,  in  which  the 
right  lobe  is  larger  than  the  left,  the  series  terminates  with 
Buceros  coronatus,  in  which  the  left  lobe  is  larger  than  the 
right.  The  following  table  shows  the  relations  of  the  liver 
lobes  in  such  hornbills  as  have  been  examined  :— 

Bucorvus  abyssinicus.  R>L. 

Aceros  nipnlensis.  R  >  L. 


Bnceros  bicornis. 
Sphagolobus  atratits. 
Bycanistes  subcylindricus. 
Buceros  plicatus. 
Buceros  rhinoceros. 
Buceros  coronatus. 


R>L. 
R>L. 
R>L. 
R  =  L. 
R  =  L. 
R<L. 


I  have  noticed  a  peculiarity  in  several  species  of  horn- 
bills  which  is  not  found  in  all  other  birds.  In  all  birds  the 
two  lobes  of  the  liver  are  completely  separated  from  each 
other  by  the  umbilical  ligament,  which  bears  the  umbilical 
vein  (this  appeared  to  be  particularly  large  and  well  deve- 
loped in  all  hornbills  which  have  been  dissected  by  me)  ;  and 
in  addition  one  liver  lobe — the  right-  -is  commonly  separated 
from  the  abdomen  by  a  thin  membranous  septum.  In  horn- 
bills  both  lobes  of  the  liver  are  thus  shut  off ;  I  have  figured 

1  In  Dichoceros  bicornis  there   is  a  tendency  towards  the  formation  of  a 
hypapophysial  canal. 


'2-20 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


this  condition  in  Bucorvus  abyssinicus  ;  '  it  is  exactly  the 
same  in  one  or  two  other  species  which  I  have  subsequently 
studied. 

The  Syrinx,  Aceros  nipalensis. — The  last  rings  of  the 
trachea  are  fused  together  to  form  a  solid  box,  at  the  sides  of 
which,  however,  the  individual  rings  are  recognisable.  In  front 
the  last  three  rings  are  thus  fused,  but  behind  two  additional 
rings  fuse  with  the  others  to  form  a  wide  and  deep  bony 
plate.  The  tracheal  rings  lying  in  front  of  these  five  show 
the  dovetailing  arrangement  which  is  so  often  found  in  the 
tracheal  rings.  The  pessulus  is  well  developed  and  bony, 
but,  owing  to  the  complete  fusion  of  the  tracheal  rings  both 

posteriorly  and  anteriorly, 
it  is  impossible  to  say 
from  which  rings  it  is  de- 
veloped. 

The  intrinsic  muscles 
of  the  syrinx  are  attached 
near  to  the  boundary  line 
between  the  last  and  the 
penultimate  tracheal 

rings. 

The  bronchial  semi- 
rings are  cartilaginous,  and 
there  is  a  considerable  in- 
terval between  the  first  of 
these  and  the  last  tracheal 


FIG.  102. — SYRINX  OF  Aceros  nipalensis. 
I-'KONT  VIEW.     (AFTEK  BEDDARD.) 


ring. 


Bucorvus  abyssinicus. — The  syrinx  of  this  hornbill  (fig. 
103)  differs  in  many  particulars  from  the  last.  The  tracheal 
rings  are  not  ossified,  and  there  is  no  box  formed  by  their 
fusion.  Only  posteriorly  are  the  penultimate  ring  and 
the  two  in  front  of  this  fused  just  at  the  origin  of  the 
pessulus  ;  anteriorly  the  pessulus  is  fused  with  the  ante- 
penultimate tracheal  ring,  which  forms  with  it  a  three-way 
piece  ;  the  last  two  tracheal  rings  do  not  meet  in  front.  The 

1  '  Notes  on  the  Visceral  Anatomy  of  Birds.     I.  On  the  so-called  Omentum,' 
P.  Z.  S.  1885,  p.  842  ;  and  above,  p.  44,  fig.  29. 


BUCEROTE8 


very 


slender  syringeal  muscles  are  attached  to  the  anterior  margin 
of  the  last  tracheal  ring. 

The  peculiar-shaped  tracheal  rings  are  hardly  recognis- 
able until  about  the  fourteenth  from  the  end. 

Buceros  rhinoceros  has  a  syrinx  which  is  not 
different  from  that  of 
Acer os.  The  same  rings 
are  fused  to  form  an  os- 
sified box  ;  but  the  fusion 
between  the  several  rings 
is  hardly  so  extensive  as 
in  Acer  os  ;  furthermore 
the  syringeal  muscles  are 
attached  to  the  posterior 
border  of  the  last  tracheal 


ring. 

In  Sphagolobus  atra- 

tus  there  is  very  little 
fusion  between  any  of 
the  last  tracheal  rings ; 
the  last  three  rings,  which  alone  show  any  signs  of  ossification, 
are  fused  for  a  very  short  space  anteriorly  ;  posteriorly  there 
is  no  fusion  at  all,  and  the  pessulus  can  be  plainly  seen  to  be 
connected  with  the  antepenultimate  ring.  Although  the  last 
tracheal  rings  are  not  fused,  they  are  very  closely  applied 
together,  and  no  membranous  interspaces  are  left. 

Ceratogymna  elata,  which  is,  like  the  last,  a  compara- 
tively small  species,  has  a  very  similar  syrinx ;  indeed,  I  can 
find  no  differences  sufficiently  tangible  to  be  described. 

Buceros  lunatus  and  B.  bicornis,  which  are  both  large 
species,  hardly  present  any  differences  from  B.  rhinoceros. 

Bycanistes  subcylindricus  has  a  syrinx  which,  although 
of  about  the  same  size  as  that  of  Ceratogymna  elata,  shows 
certain  differences  which  are  worth  putting  on  record.  In 
the  first  place,  the  syrinx  is  much  compressed  from  side  to 
side  at  the  level  of  the  last  tracheal  ring;  in  the  second 
place,  the  last  tracheal  ring  is  very  much  more  arched  than 
usual ;  it  forms,  indeed,  almost  a  complete  semicircle.  The 


FIG.  103. — SYRINX    OF    Bitcorvus  abyssini- 
ciis.     FKONT  VIEW.     (AFTER  BEDDARD.) 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

intrinsic  muscle  of  the  syrinx  in  this,  as  in  the  other  smaller 
hornbills,  is  very  much  larger  relatively  than  in  the  larger 
species. 

Anthraceros  malayanus,  again,  is  a  little  different  from 
all  the  types  hitherto  described.  The  last  tracheal  rings  are 
but  little  fused  posteriorly ;  only  the  penultimate  and  ante- 
penultimate rings  are  so  fused,  so  that  it  is  impossible  to  be 
certain  as  to  the  origin  of  the  pessulus.  The  intrinsic  muscles 
are  slender. 

Toccus  presents  certain  peculiarities  which  I  have  not 
yet  observed  in  any  other  hornbills  ;  the  trachea  has  tioo 
pairs  of  extrinsic  muscles,  given  off  about  half  an  inch  apart. 
This  condition  seems  to  me  to  be  so  remarkable  that  I  have 
preserved  the  specimen  which  shows  it,  though  unfortunately 
the  insertions  of  the  anterior  pair  of  muscles  are  lost,  and  I 
have  no  recollection  of  wrhere  the  point  of  insertion  was. 
The  intrinsic  muscles  are  relatively  small.  There  appears 
to  be  no  fusion  between  any  of  the  tracheal  rings. 

Cryptorms  of  the  upper  Eocene  of  France  is  held  by 
MILNE-EDWARDS  to  be  a  hornbill. 

The  family  Upupidse  '  contains  only  the  well-known 
hoopoe  (Up  up  a)  and  the  but  little  known  Irrisor  and 
R  liinoponias  tus . 

There  is  a  large  feathered  oil  gland,  but  the  aftershaft  is 
absent  or  rudimentary.  There  are  ten  rectrices. 

The  feather  tracts  are  narrow.  The  ventral  tract  divides 
very  early  011  the  neck,  and  gives  off  on  each  side  in  the 
pectoral  region  an  outer  branch.  At  the  base  of  the  neck  a 
triserial  tract  is  given  off  to  the  humeral  tract,  and  just 
below  it  a  uniserial  tract  to  the  patagium.  Between  the 
outer  and  inner  branches  of  the  ventral  tract  is  a  single  row 
of  feathers. 

The  dorsal  tract  encloses  a  spindle-shaped  space,  the 
pterylse  enclosing  which  are  somewhat  dilated  in  the  middle. 

1  STRICKLAND,  'On  the  Structure  and  Affinities  of  Upupa  and  Irrisor,'  Ann. 
Mag.  Nat.  Hist.  xii.  (1843),  p.  238  ;  MUKIE,  '  On  the  Upupiclae  and  their  Bela- 
tionships,'  Ibis,  (3)  iii.  1873,  p.  181. 


BUCEROTES 

The  tendon  of  the  tensor  patagii  longus  '  gives  off  a 
wristward  slip ;  the  main  tendon  crosses  the  fore  arm. 
There  is  a  cucuUaris  patagialis,  besides  slips  from  the 
pectoralis,  but  no  biceps  slip. 

The  anconfcus  has  an  attachment  to  the  humerus. 

In  the  hind  limb  the  formula  of  the  muscles  is  the 
typical  picarian  AXY  — .  The  passerine  character  shown  by 
the  existence  of  a  well-marked  cucullaris  prppatagialis  is 
paralleled  in  the  hind  limb  by  the  absence  of  any  vinculum 
between  the  deep  flexor  tendons. 

The  tongue  is  short  and  the  intestines  are  without  c«'c-a. 
The  left  carotid  alone  is  present. 

There  are  fourteen  cervical  vertebra1.  The  sternum  has 
a  single  pair  of  notches  or  fenestrae  and  both  spinae.  The 
skull  is  pseudo-holorhinal,  desmognathous,  without  vomer 
and  basipterygoid  processes. 

The  conjoined  maxillo-palatines  are  rather  delicate  fenes- 
trated  bones,  and  the  bony  palate  for  a  little  way  in  front 
is  somewhat  vacuolate.  The  palatines  have  long  postero- 
external  angles,  which  reach  back  to  a  point  corresponding 
to  rather  beyond  the  middle  of  the  pterygoids. 

The  lacrymals  are  small  and  ankylosed  to  the  skull. 
The  ectethmoids  are  very  large  plates,  and  the  distal  end  is 
segmented  off,  and  is  apparently  the  equivalent  of  the 
os  uncinatum  of  many  other  birds  ;  it  reaches  the  jugal.  I 
describe  the  nostrils  as  pseudo-holorhinal,  because,  though 
rounded  at  their  extremities,  they  are  unusually  long,  and 
reach,  or  very  nearly  reach,  the  ends  of  the  nasal  processes. 
They  are  obliterated  in  the  middle  by  bony  alinasals.  There 
is  a  largish  median  ioramen2  a  little  way  above  the  foramen 
magnum,  and  a  minute  one  just  above  the  latter. 

1  NITZSCH  and  GIEBEL,  '  Zur  Anatomic  des  Wiedehopfs,'  Zeitschr.  f.  d.  IJCN. 
Natnrw.  x.  p.  236. 

2  This  was  present  in  only  one  of  three  specimens,  in  which  also  alone  the 
os  uncinatum  was  present.     It   has   a    shorter    bill    and    may   be   a    different 
species. 


224         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 


MACROCHIRES 

Definition. — Beatrices,  ten  ;  oil  gland  nude  ;  aftershaft  present.  Muscle 
formula  of  leg,  A  — .  Expansor  secundarioruni,  sterno-coracoideus, 
and  biceps  slip  absent.  Caeca  absent.  Manus  very  long.  Sternum 
unnotched. 

This  group  of  birds  contains  two  well-marked  types— 
the  humming  birds  and  the  swifts,1  the  former  confined  to 
America,  the  latter  world-wide  in  distribution. 

In  external  characters  the  generally  minute  size,  the 
frequently  brilliant  metallic  plumage,  and  the  long  slender 
bill  distinguish  the  Colibris  from  the  swifts.  But  Dr. 
SHUFELDT  has  found  -  in  a  nestling  humming  bird  a  bill 
hardly  longer  than  that  of  a  swift. 

The  rectrices  are  ten,  and  in  all  these  birds  the  oil 
gland  is  nude.  There  is  an  aftershaft.  In  the  swifts  there 
are  down  feathers  upon  the  apteria  ;  in  the  humming  birds 
there  are  not. 

The  pterylosis  of  the  group  has  been  chiefly  studied  by 
NITZSCH,  to  whose  account  Dr.  SHUFELDT  has  added  details 
of  value. 

The  throat  is  completely  feathered  in  the  swifts,  the  two 
ventral  tracts,  however,  becoming  distinct  at  the  beginning 
of  the  neck.  The  ventral  tracts  widen  out  in  the  pectoral 
region,  but  there  is  no  outer  branch  or  trace  of  one.  The 
narrow  dorsal  tract  bifurcates  between  the  shoulders  and 
reunites  again  to  enclose  a  narrowish  spinal  space.  There 
are  well-marked  femoral  tracts. 

In  the  humming  birds  the  ventral  tract  is  double  up  to 
the  symphysis  of  the  mandibles,  or  nearly  so ;  the  dorsal 
tracts  are  very  much  wider  and  form  a  diamond-shaped  patch, 
within  which  is  a  very  slight  dorsal  apterion  ;  there  appear 
to  be  no  femoral  tracts,  and  there  is  a  naked  space  in  the 
nape  of  the  neck,  dividing  the  dorsal  tract. 

1  GIEBEL,  '  Ueber  einige  Eigenthiimlichkeiten  in  tier  Organisation  der  Koli- 
bris,'  Zcitscltr.f.  d.  ges.  Naturw.  1.  1877,  p.  322;  W.  K.  PARKER,  '  On  the  Sys- 
tematic Position  of  the  Swifts,'  Zool.  (3),  xiii.  1SS9,  p.  91. 

-  'Studies  of  the  Macrochires,'  etc..  J.  Linn.  Soc.  1888. 


MACROCIIIRES  225 

The  swifts  are  among  the  very  few  birds  which  are 
partly  quintocubital  and  partly  aquincubital. 

Among  the  more  obvious  external  characters  are  the 
magnificent  metallic  colours  which  are  so  usual  a  feature  of 
humming  birds.  It  is  on  account  of  the  latter  character 
mainly  that  they  have  been  placed  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
—or  more  properly  confused  with — the  Nectariniida?.  It  is,. 
however,  practically  the  universal  opinion  that  these  two 
families  have  no  near  relationship,  and  the  feathers  of  both 
have  been  lately  submitted  to  a  careful  examination  by 
Miss  NEWBIG-G-IN.1  The  metallic  colours  of  humming  birds 
occur  in  both  sexes,  though  more  brilliant  in  the  male  ;  they 
are  mainly  to  be  found  on  the  throat  and  on  the  head  as  a 
crest.  It  has  been  pointed  out  that  the  rapidly  vibrating 
wings  would  destroy  all  advantage  (in  sexual  selection)  of 
the  development  of  these  tints  upon  the  wings.  The  colours 
are  of  every  shade,  and  gold  and  red  are  often  present,  two 
colours  which  are  not  found  among  the  Nectariniidae.  The 
striking  difference  between  the  two  families,  however,  consists 
in  the  fact  that  while  the  Nectariniidas  have  the  ends  of  the 
barbs  affected  by  the  metallic  colour  it  is  the  basal  part  of 
the  barbs  which  is  so  coloured  in  the  humming  birds. 
Hence  the  barbs  have  cilia  in  the  latter  case  and  not  in  the 
former  ;  for  this  reason  the  rectrices  in  the  humming  birds 
can  show  metallic  colours  and  yet  not  have  their  efficiency 
as  flight  feathers  destroyed.  The  interlocking  apparatus 
is  there  in  the  form  of  the  cilia.  The  barbs  which  are 
thus  metallically  coloured  are  in  both  groups  of  birds 
(and  in  other  birds  which  show  the  same  kind  of  colora- 
tion) composed  of  a  series  of  roof-shaped  laminae,  in  the 
cavities  of  which  the  dark  brown  pigment  essential  for 
the  due  production  of  the  metallic  colour  is  located. 
Further  details  may  be  found  in  the  interesting  memoir 

t/ 

cited. 

The  tensor es  patagii  show  a  striking  resemblance  among 

1  '  Observations  on  the  Metallic  Colours  of  the  Trochilichi-  and  the  Necta- 
riniida?,'  P.  Z.  S.  1896,  p.  '2H3. 

Q 


226         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

the  swifts  and  humming  birds.  In  Chcetura,  Cypselus,1  and 
Phaethornis  and  other  humming  birds  the  tensor  brevis  is 
fleshy  for  almost  its  whole  extent.  In  Dendroclielidon 
the  tensor  brevis  has  still  a  larger  muscular  portion  than  is 
usual,  but  the  tendon  is  more  evident  and  has  a  passerine 
slip  to  the  humerus.  In  the  Trochili,  however,  the  muscle 
is  inserted  on  to  a  special  tendon  upon  the  fore  arm,2  and 
not  on  to  the  extensor  metacarpi.  In  the  leg  muscles 
the  birds  of  this  group  agree  in  only  possessing  the  femoro- 
caudal  of  those  used  by  GAEEOD  in  his  classification  ;  the 
formula,  therefore,  is  A  —  .  GARROD,  however,  has  left  a 
note  to  the  effect  that  in  Ch&tura  caudacuta  the  femoro- 
caudal  passes  through  a  muscle  arising  from  both  pubis 
and  ischium,  which  is  thus  possibly  a  combined  semitendi- 
nosus  and  semimembranosus. 

Though  the  semitendinosus  is  as  a  rule  absent,  there 
seem  to  be  traces  of  its  accessory  in  a  few  swifts.  Thus 
in  Cypselus  alpinus  and  Chcetura  Vauxi  the  gastrocnemius 
has  an  origin  between  the  biceps  loop  and  the  main  body 
of  the  sciatic  nerve  from  the  femur. 

Another  peculiarity  in  the  leg  of  certain  swifts  (cf.  also 
Phaethou)  is  the  absence  of  a  biceps  loop  ;  but  the  value  of 
this  character  may  be  gauged  from  the  following  table  :- 


Without  Biceps  Sling 

Chcetura  caudacuta 
Panyptila  melanoleuca 
Dendrochelidon  coronata 
Macropteryx  mystacea 


AVith  Biceps  Sliny 


Chcetura  spinicauda 
Cluetura  zonaris 
Cijpseloides  fumic/a  tit* 
Cypselus  alpinus 


The  biceps  femoris  of  humming  birds — at  any  rate  of 
Patagona  gigas — is  peculiar  in  the  fact  of  its  being  two- 
headed. 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  in  the  swifts  vary.  In  the 
majority  of  forms  the  two  tendons  completely  blend ;  in 

1  For    Cypselus  muscles   see   NITZSCH-GIEBEL,    '  Zur   Anatomie  d.  Mauer- 
schwalbe,'  Zcitschr.  f.  d.  ges.  Nat.  x.  1857,  p.  327. 

2  This    tendon    looks    like    a   degenerate   representative    of   the    abductor 
pollicis. 


MACEOCHIRES  i>-> 


Mticropteryx,  however,  LUCAS  !  has  described  the  flexor 
hallucis  as  going  to  the  first  digit  only  after  giving  off  a  vin- 
culum  to  the  tendon  of  digit  IV.  As  to  the  humming  birds, 
there  has  been  some  confusion.  It  appears,  however,  that 
the  flexor  hallucis  before  going  to  digit  I.  gives  off  a  slip  to 
flexor  comrnunis  of  digit  II.,  and  (according  to  GADOW  2) 
III.  and  IV.  also. 

Both  swifts  and  humming  birds  have,  as  a  rule,  only  one 
carotid,  the  left.  The  following  swifts  have  two  carotids  : 
Cluf'tura  nitila  (right  carotid  larger) ,  Cypseloides  fumigatus. 
In  Micropus  (7  Panyptila}  melanoleuca  SHUFELDT  has 
described  the  left  carotid  (the  only  one  present)  as  crossing 
over  to  the  right  and  being  until  the  middle  of  the  neck  free 
of  the  hypapophysial  canal. 

The  chief  peculiarity  of  the  vascular  system  concerns  the 
femoral  vein.  In  Panyptila  melanoleuca  and  in  Cluctura 
zonaris  the  femoral  vein,  instead  of  running  deep  of  the 
fenioro-caudal  muscle,  comes  to  join  the  sciatic  artery  and 
nerve  immediately  it  has  passed  the  obturator  externus 
superficial  to  the  femoro-caudal  tendon  ;  Cypseloides  fumi- 
gatus is  the  only  other  swift  which  has  been  shown  to  be 
characterised  by  this  structural  abnormality. 

The  large  size  of  the  heart  of  the  humming  birds  as 
compared  with  that  of  the  swifts  is  commented  upon  by 
SHUFELDT. 

The  syrinx  of  the  swifts  is  not  in  any  way  remarkable  ; 
it  is  tracheo-bronchial,  with  the  usual  pair  of  intrinsic  and 
extrinsic  muscles.  The  former  are  attached  (at  any  rate 
in  Chcetura  caudacuta]  to  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring.  In 
Cypseloides  fumigatus,  however,  a  swift  which  is  in  other 
ways  abnormal,  there  appear  to  be  no  intrinsic  muscles. 

The  humming  birds,  on  the  contrary,  have  an  unusual 
form  of  syrinx,  which  is  remarkable  in  two  ways. 

In  the  first  place  the  trachea  bifurcates  very  high  up  in 
the  neck,  recalling  the  characteristics  of  Platalea  rosea  (see 
below).  Each  bronchus  in  TrocJiiliis  columns  (according 

1   Ibis,  is'.lo,  p.  298.  -  Ibi<L  p.  -J'.i'.i. 

«  -2 


228         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

to  MAcGiLLiYEAT  !)  has  as  many  as  thirty-four  rings,  which 
are  complete  and  not  semi-rings.  There  seem  to  be  two 
pairs  of  extrinsic  muscles,  which  form  a  very  prominent 
muscular  mass,  as  in  Passeres.  Dr.  SHUFELDT  was  unable 
to  find  any  sterno-trachealis. 

The  tongue  in  the  swifts  is  short  and  sagittate,  with 
a  spiny  base.  It  is  constantly  bifid  at  the  tip. 

In  the  humming  birds,  as  is  well  known,  the  long  tongue  is 
tubular,  and  for  its  support  the  hyoids  are  bent  over  the  top  of 
the,  skull,  as  in  the  woodpeckers.  The  tongue  itself  '  is  double 
right  down  to  the  unpaired  part  of  the  os  entoglossum, 
whilst  each  of  the  two  distal  prolongations  of  the  entoglossal 
bone  or  cartilage  is  surrounded  by  a  horny  sheath,  which  is 
curled  upwards  and  inwards,  in  a  similar  fashion  to  what 
we  have  seen  in  the  Nectariniidae.  In  many  species  the 
outer  and  inner  edges  of  these  tubes,  however,  are  entire 
and  not  laciniated.  Thus  the  Trochilidae  have  developed 
the  highest  form  of  tubular  tongue  '  (GrADOW  2)  . 

The  gizzard  of  the  humming  birds  is  remarkably  small  ; 
that  of  the  cypselids  presents  no  remarkable  characters, 
and  SHUFELDT  has  remarked  upon  the  large  size  of  the 
liver  in  the  humming  birds  as  compared  with  the  swifts  ; 
in  both  the  right  lobe  is  larger  than  the  left,  and  there  is  a 
'gall  bladder  in  the  swifts. 

Caeca  are  entirely  absent  in  the  Macrochires.3  The 
following  are  intestinal  measurements  of  the  swifts  :- 

Cypselus  apus      .....     6-25  inches. 
Dendroclielidon  coronata      .         .         .     4'30      ,, 
Cluftura  caudacuta      .         .         .         .10         ,, 
Cypselus  alpiniis  .         .         .          .10         ,, 

Vait.i-i   .....     3'25      ,, 


A  careful  account  of  the  trochiline  and  cypseline  skeleton 
will  be   found  in  a  memoir  by  SHUFELDT.4      Though  this 

1  In  AUDUBON'S  Birds  of  N.  America. 

-  '  On  the  Suctorial  Apparatus  of  the  Tenuirostres,'  P.  Z.  S.  1883. 
:i  CRISP,  '  On  some  Points  relating  to  the  Anatomy  of  the  Humming  Bird 
(Trochihts  colubris),'  P.  Z.  S.  1862,  p.  208,  observed  a  '  rudimentary  appendix.' 
1  '  Contribution  to  the  Comparative  Osteology  of  the  Trochilida?,  Caprimul- 


MACEOCHIKES 


229 


Nu 


observer  is  disinclined  to  allow  a  very  near  affinity  between 
the  birds,  it  is  undeniable  that  there  are  resemblances. 

The  skull  is  schizognathous  in  the  humming  bird, 
aegithognathous  in  the  swifts.  But  the  aegithognathism  in 
the  latter  is  a  little  abnormal.  GARROD  has  pointed  out  in 
describing  '  the  osteology  of  Indicator  that  that  bird,  in 
common  with  the  CapitonidEe,  has  a  truncated  vomer,  in 
which  the  truncation  occurs  behind  the  line  joining  the 
maxillo-palatines,  while  .  in  the  true 
Passeres  the  truncation  is  in  front  of 
this  line.  The  swifts  are  intermediate, 
the  truncation  being,  as  is  shown  in 
the  accompanying  figure  (fig.  104), 
about  on  a  level  with  the  line  joining 
the  maxillo-palatines.  It  is  true  that 
the  lateral  processes  so  characteristic 
of  the  aagithognathous  skull  are  better 
developed  in  the  swifts  than  in  the 
swallows  ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  it 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  un- 
doubtedly a3githognathous  Indicator 
is  without  these  processes.  In  both 

swifts  and  humming  birds  the  skull  is  7,i(.s  »ieian<>iciicii*.  UNDER 
holorhinal  and  without  basipterygoid  VlEW-  <AFTER  SHUFELDT.) 

/'in.r,  preiuaxiila ;   M.rp.  maxillo- 

DrOCeSSeS.  AS         tO         the          VOmer,        palatines:      Vo,     vomer:      .V«, 

nasal ; /V,  palatine  ;  /Y,  ptery- 

HUXLEY   described   it    as  truncated  ;    .goi.i. 

but   SHUFELDT  finds   it  to  end  in  an 

excessively  fine  point.     In  swifts  the  vomer  is,  as  already 

stated,  truncated.     But  as  to  this  difference  and  its  value  as 

a  means  of  separating  the  birds  cf.  the  manifold  vomer  of 

Limicolae. 

The  humming  birds  have  fourteen  or  fifteen  (Trochilus 
Alexandra)  cervical  vertebra.  The  Cypselidse  have  thirteen 
or  fourteen.  Four  ribs2  join  the  sternum  on  each  side 

gidas,  and  Cypselidse,'  P.  Z.  S.  1885,  p.  880,  and  1886,  p.  501.  See  also  ZEHNTNEK, 
'  Beitriige  z.  Entwicklung  von  Cypsdus  mclba,'  Arch.  f.  Naturg.  Ivi.  1S90,  p.  189 
(transl.  in  Ibis,  1890,  p.  196). 

1  Loc.  cit.  (on  p.  196.)  -  Fri;i;i;i\<iEH  says  five  or  six. 


FIG.  104. — SKULL  OF  Micro- 


230 


STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


in  both  groups  of  birds.     The  sternum  in  both  is  unnotched 
and  broader  behind  than  in  front. 

In  the   fore  limb  the  length  of  the  hand  distinguishes 


Fin.  105.— ANCONAL  ASPECT  OF  LEFT 
HUMEBUS  OF  Micropiis  melanoleu- 
cus  (AFTER  SHUFELDT). 


FIG.  106. — PALMAE  ASPECT  OF  SAME 
BONE  (AFTER  SHUFELDT). 


both  the  families  of  the  Macrochires,  whence,  of  course,  the 
name.  The  nearest  approach  in  length  of  hand  is  shown 
in  the  swallows,  petrels,  and,  oddly  enough,  in  the  penguins. 


FIG.  107. — ANCONAL  ASPECT  OF  LEFT 
HUMERUS  OF  Trochilus  Alexandri 
(AFTER  SHUFELDT). 

p.f,  pneumatic  fossa. 


FIG.  108 — PALMAR  ASPECT  OF 
BONE  (AFTER  SHUFELDT). 


The  humerus  in  both  families  is  extremely  short  ;  the  radial 
crest  is  well  developed  in  both  into  a  long  process  which 
curves  over  the  shaft  in  the  Trochilidae,  but  over  the  head  in 
the  swifts. 


CAPRIMULGI 


CAPRIMULGI 

Definition.— Anisodaciyle.  Oil  gland  nude.1  Beatrices,  ten.  Aquinto- 
cubital.  Aftershafb  present.  Skull  holorhinal.  Both  carotids 
present.  Cseca  -  large.  Ambiens  and  accessory  femorocaudal 
absent.  Deep  flexor  tendons  of  type  V. 

This  group  of  birds  shows  a  considerable  amount  of 
structural  variation,  which  allows  of  the  separation  of  the 
genera  into  at  least  two  families  ;  they  are,  however,  all 
united  by  the  characters  in  the  above  definition.  The 


FIG.  109. — LEFT  FEET  OF  AntrostonniH  FIG.  110. — EIGHT  FOOT  OF  Podar. 

i-ociferus      (RIGHT-HAND     FIG.)      AND  gas  Cuvieri  (AFTER  SCLATER). 
Nyctidromus        albicollis          (AFTEE 
SCLATEB). 

external  aspect  too  of  these  birds,  with  the  widely  gaping 
mouth  and  their  generally  softly  tinted  grey  and  brown 
plumage,  enables  them  to  be  readily  distinguished  from  other 
groups. 

1  Sometimes  said  to  be  absent  in  Podargicla;,  but  FURRRINGER  found  it  in 
Batrachostomus. 
-  Absent  in 


232         STRUCTUEE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

In  the  typical  Caprimulgidse  (fig.  109)  the  claw  of  the 
middle  toe  is  serrated  and  the  fourth  toe  has  but  four  pha- 
langes. There  is  no  serration  and  five  phalanges  in  others.1 
The  aftershaft  is  present ;  in  the  aberrant  Steatornis  it  is 


FIG.   111. — POWDER-DOWN  PATCHES  OF  Podargns  (AFTER  SCLATER). 

not  absent  (as  GAEEOD  asserted).  Podargns  is  remarkable 
for  the  possession  of  powder-down  patches,  of  which  there  are 
two,  one  on  either  side  of  the  rump  (see  fig.  Ill),  first  dis- 
covered by  Mr.  SCLATER. 2  The  patches  of  this  bird  are  well 
defined  and  very  compact,  and  have  not  the  diffuse  character 
that  is  seen  in,  for  example,  RhinocJietns.  PowTder  downs 
.are  also  found  in  Batrachostomus  and  Nyctibius.  The 

1  SCLATER,  'Notes  upon  the  American  Caprimulgidse,'  P.  Z.  S.  1806,  p.  1'Jd. 

2  '  Additional  Notes  on  the  Caprimulgidae,'  ibid.  p.  581. 


OAPRIMULGI 


233 


pterylosis  has  been  elaborately   described  by    GAEEOD   for 
Steatornis  ;  l  so  we  shall  select  that  bird,  though  it  is,  as 


vtfi&fft     4»  ^ 

"  •'•'•••'•••V:.::. 


I 


EC 
a 

o 


a 

a 

H 

33 

H 
fc 

W 
cc 
W 

PH 
CM 
W 


ft 
fc 


S 


o 

cc 


H 
H 

PL, 


1  For  notes  on  Steatornis  pee,  in  addition  to  papers  quoted,  N.  FUNCK, 
'Notice  sur  le  Stcatnrnis  rarijwisis,'  Bull.  Ac.  Belg.  1844,  p.  371  ;  F.  STOLZ- 
MANN,  'Observations  snr  le  Steatornis  Peruvien,'  Bull.  Hoc.  Zool.  France, 
v.  1880,  p.  198  ;  HUMHOLDT,  '  Sur  le  Sfentornis,'  Bull.  Soc.  Pliilom.  1817,  p.  51  ; 


234         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

already  hinted,  in  many  ways  an  aberrant  form  as  a  type. 
The  dorsal  tract  (see  fig.  112)  gradually  narrows  as  it 
passes  down  the  neck,  but  the  feathers  get  stronger ;  it 
bifurcates  between  the  scapulae  to  form  a  well-defined 
fork,  which  ends  ultimately,  having  become  weaker.  Between 
this  fork,  and  not  connected  with  the  rest  of  the  dorsal  tract, 
appears  a  spear-headed  patch  of  feathers.  The  '  shaft  ' 
of  the  '  spear '  becomes  stronger  as  it  descends  to  end 
abruptly  at  the  base  of  the  oil  gland.  The  ventral  tract 
is  narrow  between  the  mandibles  ;  it  is  undivided  upon  the 
neck.  At  the  beginning  of  the  breast  it  divides  into  a  wide 
outer  and  a  narrow  inner  portion,  the  latter  being  more 
strongly  feathered.  The  two  converge  on  each  side  towards 
the  cloacal  aperture,  but  do  not  reunite. 

In  Capriwmlgus,  on  the  other  hand,  the  ventral  tract  bifur- 
cates in  the  neck,  and  the  two  ventral  tracts  are  single,  and 
there  is  no  such  abrupt  break  between  the  two  parts  of  the 
dorsal  tract  as  has  been  described  above  in  Steatornis.  Nor  is 
there  in  Antrostomus,  where  there  is  no  narrowing  of  the  pos- 
terior part  of  the  dorsal  tract.  Nyctidromus  is  much  the  same.1 

The  tongue  in  the  goatsuckers  is  more  or  less  abortive  ;  in 
Podargus  it  is  a  curious  tough  but  transparent  membranous 
organ. 

As  mentioned  in  the  definition  of  the  group  the  cceca  are 
large ;  but  as  a  unique  exception  ^Egotheles  seems  to  be 
entirely  without  them.  In  all  the  genera  the  left  lobe  of  the 
liver  is  rather  the  smaller  ;  and  all,  save  Chordeiles,  have  a 
gall  bladder.  The  intestinal  measurements  in  inches  are 
given  on  the  following  page. 

The  intestine  (according  to  MITCHELL)  is  primitive  and 
owl-like,  while  the  ctcca  are  dilated  apically,  as  in  owls. 

J.  MURIE,  '  Fragmentary  Notes  on  the  Guacharo,  or  Oil  Bird,'  Ibis  (3),  iii.  p.  81  ; 
L'HEKMINIEB,  'Memoire  sur  Je  Guacharo,'  Nouv.  Ann.  Mns.  iii.  1834,  p.  321, 
and  note  '  Sur  la  Classification  Methoclique  clu  Guacharo,'  &c.,  Rev.  Mag.  Zool. 
(2),  i.  p.  321  ;  J.  MULLEK,  '  Ueber  die  Anatoniie  des  Steatornis  caripensis,'  M.B. 
k.  Ahad.  Wiss.  Berlin,  1841,  p.  172,  and  '  Anatomische  Bemerkungen  iiber  den 
Guacharo,'  Arch.  f.  Auat.  it.  Phys.  1842,  p.  1. 

1    For  further  details  of  feathering  see  CLARK,  '  The  Pterylography  of  certain 
American  Goatsuckers  and  Owls,'  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mns.  xvii.  551. 


CAPRIMULGI 


Nyctidromus  albicollis  , 

Caprimnlgiis  curopcpus 

)»  n 

Chordcilcs  tcxcnsis 
Podargns  Ciivicri  . 
Steatornis  caripensis 


S.I. 

7-5 

10-5 
9-5 
7 

16 
18-5 

18 


L.I. 
1-4 


i  iseca 

I-:?,  1-4 

1-6 
1-75 

1-1,  •<) 

2 

1-25 

1-75 


The  syrinx  is  highly  characteristic  in  the  Caprimulgi. 
Like  the  nearly  related  (?)  cuckoos,  we  have  both  the 
tracheo-bronchial  and  the  purely  bronchial  syrinx.  In- 
deed, the  stages  are  almost  identical  in  the  two  groups. 
Cuculus  and  Caprimulgus  correspond  with  a  tracheo-bronchial 
syrinx  ;  then  we  have  Ceutropus  and  Podargns,  and  finally 
the  culmination  in  Crotophaga  and 
Steatornis  of  a  syrinx  furnished  wTith 
a  membrana  tympaniformis,  which 
does  not  commence  until  many  rings 
below  the  bifurcation  of  the  tube, 
the  intrinsic  muscles  being  attached 
to  the  first  ring  which  borders  upon 
it.  It  will  be  necessary  to  describe 
the  various  syringes  in  some  detail  ; 
they  have  been  studied  and  figured 
by  myself. l  In  N/jctidromus  albicol- 
lis, which  will  serve  as  a  type  of  the 
tracheo-bronchial  syrinx  which  ex-  FIG.  11:3.— SYBINX  OF  Nycti- 
ists  in  the  Caprimulgidffi  («.«,),  the  gSSi)).flZWcoBM  (A™ 
last  four  tracheal  rings  are  closely 

applied  in  contradistinction  to  the  preceding,  which  are 
separated  by  copious  membranous  intervals.  The  last  two 
tracheal  and  the  first  five  bronchial  semi-rings  are  ossified. 
To  the  first  of  the  latter  are  attached  the  intrinsic  muscles. 
In  Batrachostomus  we  have  the  intermediate  type  of  syrinx, 
which  may,  however,  be  called  bronchial.  The  first  six 
bronchial  semi-rings  and  the  last  three  tracheal  are  ossified, 


1  '  On  the  Syrinx  and  other  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  the  Caprimulgidffi,' 
P.  Z.  S.  1886,  p.  147. 


236         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

and  bear  much  resemblance  to  each  other,  which  will  be 
apparent  from  the  illustration  (fig.  115). 

The  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  to  the  seventh  bron- 
chial ring,  which  is  soft  and  cartilaginous  ;  where  the  bronchial 
rings  change  their  character  is  a  constriction  of  the  mem- 
brana  tympaniformis  ;  it  is,  however,  of  equal  breadth  before 
and  after  the  change.  In  Podargus  Cuvieri  there  is  a  further 
approach  to  the  purely  bronchial  syrinx  of  Steatoniis.  The 


FIG.  114.— SYRINX  OF  JEgotlic!<'x  FIG.  115. — SYRINX  OF  Batrachostomus 

(AFTER  BEDDARD).  (AFTER  BKDDARD). 

first  two  bronchial  rings  are  complete.  These  and  the  four- 
teen following  are  closely  applied  to  each  other  and  ossified. 
The  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  to  the  last  of  this  series. 
Mgotheles  really  belongs  to  this  section  of  the  Caprimulgi, 
though  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  very  high  up  upon 
the  bronchi ;  but  the  two  rings  immediately  preceding  the 
attachment  are  complete  rings.  The  final  development  of 
the  bronchial  syrinx  is  seen  in  Steatoniis  (see  fig.  48,  p.  69), 
where  all  the  rings  in  front  of  the  attachment  of  the  intrinsic 
muscles  low  down  upon  the  bronchi  are  closed  and  complete 
rings,  as  in  Crotophaga. 

The  tensor  patagii  shows  certain  differences  among  the 
goatsuckers.  In  the  genera  Caprimulgus,  Nyctidromns,  and 
Chordeiles  there  is  a  biceps  slip,  absent  in  the  rest.  Of 
these  three  genera  the  arrangement  of  the  tendon  is  showrn 


CAPRIMULGI 


237 


in  the  annexed  cut  (fig.  110).  Steatornis,  as  will  be  seen 
(fig.  117),  hardly  differs,  and  Podargus  agrees  with  it.  In 
Mgotlieles  there  is  a  slight  difference  in  that  there  is  hardly 
any  trace  of  the  wristward  branch  of  the  tendon.  Steatornis 
has  an  expansor  secundariorum,  apparently  absent  among 
the  other  genera.  The  muscle  is  attached  to  the  teres  by  its 
long  tendon.  The  insertion  of  the  deltoid  is  extensive,  and 
it  receives  a  tendon  from  the  scapula.  In  many  Caprimul- 
gidae  the  biceps  is  split  for  some  distance  before  its  insertion,, 
the  bifidity  even  invading  the  muscle  itself  and  not  being 


FIG.     116.  —  PATAGIAL     MUSCLES     OF 
Caprimulcjus  (AFTEK  GAEKOD). 

rf,  de'.toid  ;    b,  biceps  ;    h,  Immerus  ;   tpb,  ten- 
sor patagii  brevis  ;  ecr,  extensor  carpi  radialis. 


FIG.  117. — CORRESPONDING  MUSCLES- 
OF  Steatornis,  BUT  OF  LEFT  WING 
(AFTER  GAEROD). 

/,  triceps.     Other  letters  as  in  fig.  11G. 


limited  to  its  tendon.  In  Podargus  FURBRINGER  describes 
a  special  slip  of  rhomboideus  profundus,  arising  separately 
from  ilium.  The  anconceus  has  a  tendinous  humeral  head. 
In  the  thigh  the  muscle  formula  is  either  AXY—  (most  Capri  - 
mulgi)  or  XY—  (Steatornis).  The  tibialis  antic  its  tendon  of 
Podargus  is  double.  The  glutaeus  I.  extends  over  biceps  in 
Nyctidromus,  &c.,  not  in  JEgothelcs.  No  glutaeus  V.  There 
are  sometimes  both  and  sometimes  only  one  of  the  two 
peroneals  present.  In  Steatornis  and  JEgothdes  only  the 
brevis  is  to  be  found,  in  Nyctidromus  only  the  longus  ;  in 
Podargus  both. 


238 


STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


goatsuckers 


have    by    no   means    a   uniform    skull 


The 
structure. 

In  Caprimulgus  l  the  skull  may  be  termed  schizognathous. 
The  palatines  are  enormously  expanded,  and  between  their 
posterior  extremities  (not  indicated  in  the  figure)  are  a  small 
anterior  and  posterior  medio-palatine,  a  state  of  affairs  recall- 
ing the  Picidse  (q.v.)  The  vomer  is  a  long  bone,  distinctly 
paired  in  the  young  bird,  rounded  in  front.  It  articulates 


FIG.  118. — SKULL  OF  Caprimuhjus  (AFTER  HUXLEY). 
I'm.r,  premaxilla  ;  Mxp,  maxillo-palatiue  ;    Vo,  vomer  ;  PI,  palatine  ;  Pf,  pterygoid. 

with  the  hook-like  maxillo-palatines.  Each  of  the  latter  is 
connected  by  a  ligament  with  the  internal  forward  process  of 
the  palatine  of  its  own  side,  the  hinder  part  of  which  is 
largely  ossified.  The  basipterygoid  processes  are  well  de- 
veloped. The  lacrymal  is  large  and  '  binds  upon  the  zygoma.' 
The  ectethmoids  are  attached  to  the  broad  outer  flange  of 
the  palatines  by  a  cartilaginous  prolongation. 

1   PARKER,  '  On  the  Structure  and  Development  of  the  Bird's  Skull,'  Linn. 
Tr.  (2),  i. 


CAPRIMULG1 


239 


In  Clwrdeiles  '  the  skull  is  much  upon  the  same  plan, 
but  the  maxillo-palatines  meet  in  the  middle  line,  and  may 
even  become  ankylosed. 

The  skull  is  thus  desmognathous,  in  fact.  In  C.  virgi- 
nianns,  however,  the  bones  do  not  meet. 

The  skull  of  Nyctibius  .jamaicensis  (see  fig.  119),  de- 
scribed by  HUXLEY,  is  not  widely  different  from  that  of  Capri- 
mulgus.  The  ligaments  which  unite  the  inner  angle  of  the 


FIG.  119. — FORE  PART  OF  SKULL  OF 
Nyctibius  jamaicensis  (AFTER 
HUXLEY). 

*,  preirontal  process.     Other  letters  as  in  fig.  1 18. 


FIG.  120. — SKULL  OF  Steatoniis 
(AFTER  HUXLEY). 


palatine  to  the  maxillo-palatines  are,  however,  completely 
ossified. 

In  Podargus  '2  the  skull  is  completely  doubly  desmo- 
gnathous. The  basipterygoid  processes  are  quite  rudimentary. 
There  are  two  small  azygous  vomers.  The  palatines  have 
coalesced  in  the  middle  line.  The  lacrymal  is  small,  if  not 
absent. 

The  skull  of  Steatofnis  has  been  described,  with  figures, 

1   SHUFELDT,  '  On   the   Osteology  of   the  Trochilidae,'    Ac.,  P.    Z.   S.  1885, 
p.  891. 

-  PARKER,  loc.  cit.  p.  124  (with  figs,  on  PL  xxiii.) 


240 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


by  GARROD,'  and  more  recently  and  more  fully  (also  with 
illustration)  by  PARKER.*  The  skull  is  quite  owl-like  in 
general  aspect  with  its  decurved  beak,  and  in  the  equality 
between  greatest  length  and  greatest  breadth.  The  lacryinal 
is  very  small  and  is  ankylosed  to  the  orbital  wall.  The 


FIG.  121. — SKULL  OF  Podargus  (AFTER  HUXLEY).     LETTERS 
AS  IN  FK;.  118. 

maxillo-palatines  are  completely  fused  across  the  middle 
line,  the  skull  being  desmognathous.  The  palatines  also  in 
their  middle  part  meet  across  the  middle  line.  The  vomer 
is  divided  into  two  parts,  one  lying  behind  the  other.  The 
anterior  part  is  small,  like  the  posterior  part ;  they  both 
measure  5.5  mm.  The  posterior  vomer  is  probably  the 
equivalent  of  the  medio-palatine  of  Caprimulgus  and  other 
birds.  The  basipterygoid  processes  are  well  developed.  The 

1  '  On  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  Stcatornis,'  P.  Z.  S.  1873,  p.  526. 
-  '  On  the  Osteology  of  Steatornis  caripensis?  ibid.  1889,  p.  161. 


CAFRIMULGI 


241 


ectethmoids  are  continued  on  to  the  quadrato-jugal  bar  by  a 
distinct  ossified  ox  nin-inatum,  as  in  Todus,  Scythrops, 
Musophagida?,  Piaya  cay  ana,  Cariama,  and  Procellariidae. 
The  relations  between  the  procoracoid  and  the  clavicle  vary 
somewhat.  In  Podargus  the  process  is  large  and  reaches 


FIG.  122. — STERNUM 
OF  Caprimiilr/us 
(AFTER  SCLATER). 


Fra.  123. — STERNUM  OF 
Podargus  (AFTER 
SCLATER). 


FIG.  124. — STERNUM 
OF  Nyctibius  (AFTER 
SCLATER). 


the  clavicle  ;   it  is  small  and    does  not    in   Steatornis  and 
Caprimulgus. 

The  number  of  cervical  vertebra  varies  from  thirteen 
(Cliordeiles)  to  fifteen  (Steatornis).  PARKER  has  commented 
upon  the  fact  that  in  Steatornis  the  atlas,  instead  of  being, 
as  is  the  rule  among  birds  presumably  allied  to  it,  perforated 
below  for  the  reception  of  the  odontoid  process,  is  merely 
deeply  notched  for  the  same.  In  Steatornis  the  dorsal 
vertebra3  are  opisthoccelous,  as  among  the  parrots  alone 
among  probable  allies.  It  is  the  rule  among  the  Caprimulgi 
for  four  ribs  to  reach  the  sternum.  The  sternum  itself  is 
one-notched  on  each  side  in  Steatornis,  &c.  It  has  four 
foramina  in  zEgotlieles,  and  is  doubly  notched  on  each  side 

R 


242         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF    BIRDS 

in  Podargus.     The  spina  externa  is  developed  and  slightly 
bifurcate  in  Steatornis.     There  is  no  spina  interna. 

In  view  of  the  considerable  variation  in  structure  ex- 
hibited by  the  group,  the  following  tabular  statement  may 
be  of  use. 


— 

-t 

^r 
« 

P. 
a 
co 

1 

^=S 

g 

cS 

aj 
•e 

- 

£ 

t     2                      * 

o 
~. 

cb 

Q. 
CJ 

r- 

C- 

'S    c/5 

| 

^ 

S 

5       "£. 

£ 

&    1                    '| 

; 

s 

" 

CS 

cS 

O 

03 

P5 

V. 

hfl 

Podargus  . 

1 

— 

— 

— 

AXY 

Xnt  over 

+ 

+ 

Desm.    — 

2  notches 

+       Broueh. 

Steatofnis 

.  Ki/nthelts 

2 
2 

+ 

- 

+ 

XY 
AX  Y 

biceps 

+ 

+ 

-H 

1  notch 
2  fur 

Itntriichostomus 
.Vi/ctibius  . 

+ 

1 

+ 

Schiz 

2  notches 

+                               V 

Nyctidrotnus 

2 

+ 

+ 

- 

AXY 

Over  biceps 

+ 

+ 

»)                    T~ 

1  notch 

Trach.- 

f'fiprinnijims 

2 

+ 

+ 

_ 

AXY 

4 

Bronch. 

Chordeiles 

2 

-i_ 

-1- 



AXY 

1'            51 

" 

Antrostomus 

o 

+ 

+ 

— 

AXY 

„        ,, 

+ 

+ 

V                + 

'„ 

There  can  be  little  doubt,  from  a  consideration  of  the 
above  table,  of  the  naturalness  of  a  family  Caprimulgidse  to 
include  the  last  four  genera.  In  these  forms,  in  all  of  them, 
the  toes  are  aberrant  in  that  the  last  has  only  four  phalanges, 
and  further  that  the  claw  of  the  middle  one  is  serrated. 

It  will  be  noticed  from  the  table  that  the  amount  of 
structural  variation  among  the  CaprirnulgidEe  (s.s.)  is  exceed- 
ingly small,  the  only  character,  indeed,  of  those  selected 
which  varies  being  the  gall  bladder,  which  is  absent  in 
Chordeiles,  and  shows  signs  of  commencing  disappearance 
by  its  small  size  in  some  of  the  others.  We  might,  perhaps, 
add  the  desmognathism  of  Chordeiles  ;  but  this  is  obviously 
but  a  slight  exaggeration  of  the  aegithognathous  palate  of 
the  others.  The  enormous  length  of  the  second  primary  of 
Maorodipteryx  and  Cosmetornis  is  a  variation  which  does  not 
appear  to  be  of  great  importance  from  a  classificatory  point 
of  view. 

The  remaining  genera  are  by  no  means  so  uniform  a 
group  as  that  which  those  that  have  been  already  considered 
form.  In  all  of  them,  however  (so  far  as  is  known),  the 
biceps  slip  is  absent,  the  glutaeus  primus  is  of  limited  extent, 

1  See  BLYTH  in  Ibis,  186(3,  p.  357. 


CAPRIMULGI  243 

the  skull  is  desmognathons,  the  syrinx  is  bronchial  (least 
marked  in  JEgotlieles},  and  the  outer  toe  has  five  phalanges, 
while  the  middle  toe  has  no  serration.  This  is  a  fair 
assemblage  of  identical  characters.  It  is  usual  for  Steatornis 
to  be  separated  as  a  distinct  family  from  the  Podargidee,  as 
has  been  done  by  GADOW.  It  differs  from  Podarf/us  in 
seven  out  of  the  thirteen  characters  made  use  of  in  the 
above  table.  It  is  often  supposed  that  the  Guacharo  is 
peculiar  among  goatsuckers  by  reason  of  its  vegetable  diet ; 
but  NEWTON  states  in  his  '  Dictionary  of  Birds  '  that  the 
Podargidae  also  partly  nourish  themselves  on  fruit.  More- 
over JEgotlielcs,  which  is  by  universal  consent  placed  in  the 
immediate  neighbourhood  of  Podargus,  differs  from  that 
genus  in  four  out  of  the  thirteen  characters,  and  from  Stea- 
tornis in  exactly  the  same  number.  It  appears  possible  to 
place  all  these  genera  in  one  family,  which,  on  account  of  its 
greater  antiquity,  has  had  time  to  vary  more  than  the  Capri - 
mulgida?.  It  is  also  among  members  of  this  family  that  the 
greatest  number  of  points  of  affinity  to  the  owls  is  met  with, 
a  further  argument  in  favour  of  their  basal  position. 

The  relationship  of  the  Caprimulgi  to  other  groups  is  a 
puzzle  hard  of  solution.  This  is  partly,  perhaps,  due  to  the 
fact  that  the  goatsuckers  are  probably  a  somewThat  ancient 
group.  That  they  are  an  ancient  group  seems  to  be  shown 
by  the  considerable  amount  of  specialisation  of  structure 
which  they  exhibit,  by  the  primitive  character  of  the 
intestinal  folds — the  ca3ca  being  at  the  same  time  well 
developed — by  the  double  carotids,  and  by  their  wide  distri- 
bution, with  a  restriction  in  range  of  some  peculiar  types, 
such  as  Steatornis. 

The  remarkable  series  of  modifications  of  the  syrinx  is 
one  of  the  most  striking  facts  in  the  anatomy  of  the  group. 
They  share  this  with  the  Cuculi,  and,  though  to  a  less  extent, 
with  the  Striges.  It  is,  indeed,  with  this  latter  group  that 
the  goatsuckers  seem  to  be  most  nearly  allied.  This  con- 
clusion, which  is  in  harmony  with  much  recent  opinion,  is 
curious  in  view  of  the  external  likenesses  '  which  bind 

1  For  instance,  the  'ears'  of  certain  Podargidffi  and  of  Lyiicornis.     It  is  a 

it  2 


244         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

together  the  two  groups  of  birds,  likenesses  which  might 
fairly  be  put  down  to  similarity  of  habit.  These  superficial 
resemblances  are,  however,  enforced  by  more  deep-lying 
structural  similarities.  MITCHELL  has  found  that  of  the 
various  groups  which  may  be  supposed  reasonably  to  be 
allied  to  the  Caprimulgi  the  owls  come  nearest  to  them  in 
the  primitive  character  of  the  gut,  while  the  caeca,  swollen 
at  the  ends,  are  alike  in  both.  The  owls  too  are  nearly  the 
only  other  Coraciiform  birds  besides  the  Caprimulgi  which 
have  well-developed  basipterygoid  processes.  The  trogons 
it  is  true,  possess  them,  but  then  they  differ  in  many  other 
important  particulars. 

STRIGES 

Definition. — Oil  gland  nude.1  Aquincubital.  Both,  carotids  present. 
Caeca  "well  developed,  ending  in  a  dilatation.  Skull  desmognn- 
thous  and  holorhinal,  with  basipterygoid  processes.  No  ambient, 
semitendinosus,  accessory  fenioro-caudal,  biceps  slip,  or  expansor 
secundariorum. 

The  owls,  formerly  associated  with  the  Accipitres  ant"1 
termed  'Accipitres  nocturnse,'  or  '  Nyctharp ages,'  are  now 
generally  placed  by  themselves  away  from  the  hawrks  and 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  some  of  the  birds  comprised  under 
the  term  '  picarian.'  The  group  itself  is  characterised  by 
a  great  uniformity  of  structure,  and  by  the  possession,  so  to 
speak,  of  so  many  negative  characters.  The  resemblances 
to  the  hawks  are  really  only  in  habits  and  in  beak  and  claw. 
These,  however,  will  be  dealt  with  more  fully  later. 

The  owls  comprise  a  considerable  number  of  genera,  of 
which  Strix  stands  rather  apart  from  the  rest,  having  a^ 
near  neighbours  the  Eastern  Pliotodilus  2  and  the  Madagas- 
car Helivdilu** 

curious  coincidence  that  the  term  '  morepork  '  is  applied  to  Podargus  in  Australia, 
and  in  New  Zealand  to  an  owl,  Spilocjlaux  Novte-Zclandice  (fide  NEWTON,  Diet, 
of  Birds,  sub  voce  '  Morepork  '). 

1  Except  Strix  and  Asio  otus. 

-  BEDDARD,  '  On  Photodilm  badiits,'  Ibis,  1890,  p.  293. 

3  MiLNE-Ei>WAiu>s,  '  Observations  sur  les  Affinites  Zoologiques,'  etc.,  Nonv. 
Arch.  MUK.  (2),  i.  1878,  and  in  Hist.  Nat.  de  Madagascar.  See  also  B.  B.  SHARPE, 
'  A  Note  on  Heliodilus,'  P.  Z.  S.  1879,  p.  175. 


STKIGES 

It  is  often  given  as  a  character  of  the  owls  (and  as  a,  bond 
of  union  with  Pa  ml  ion)  that  there  is  no  aftn-xluift.  There 
is,  however,  a  small  one  in  Strix.  As  a  rule  the  oil  gland 
is  nude,  but  NITZSCH  gives  as  a  constant  character  of  Hybris 
(  =  Strix)  the  presence  of  two  minute  feathers  upon  the  apex 
of  that  gland  ;  in  Asia  otus  too  there  are  two  or  three  small 
down  feathers  upon  the  apex  of  the  oil  gland — all  of  which 
facts  seem  to  indicate  a  comparatively  recent  loss  of  the 
apical  tuft  so  often  found  in  birds. 

The  rectrices  are  invariably  twelve  in  number,  except  in 
Micropallas,  where  there  are  but  ten.1  A  singular  external 
character  of  the  owls,  carefully  gone  into  by  KAUP,~  concerns 
the  asymmetry  of  the  ears ;  with  this  is  sometimes  corre- 
lated an  asymmetry  of  the  skull  in  the  region  of  the  ear.:! 

The  tensores  patagii  of  the  owls4  are  on  the  whole 
simple.  In  none  of  them  is  there  a  biceps  slip.  Very  rarely 
is  there  a  recurrent  tendon  uniting  the  insertion  of  the 
brevis  with  the  longus  (patagial  fan).  This  occurs,  how- 
ever, in  Strix  Novte  Hollandice  (?  always),  S.  flammea 
(occasionally),  and  S.  prat  in  cola  (?  always).  Something  of 
the  same  kind  is  found  in  S/jrni/tin  alttco,  where,  however, 
the  connection  is  between  the  tendon  of  the  longus, 
just  at  its  origin,  and  the  inner  of  the  two  branches  of  the 
lircris.  In  most  owls  (Bubo  macnlosus,  Scops  leucotis, 
Pulsatrix  torquata,  Athene  noctua,  Strix,  Sijrnium  nebu- 
losum)  the  tensor  brevis  sends  off  a  wristward  slip  not  far 
from  insertion  of  main  tendon  ;  the  latter  alone  crosses  the 
fore  arm  to  be  inserted  on  to  ulna. 

In  Scops  Lempiji,  S.  Asio,  Asio  otus,  Kctupa  javanensis, 
Otus  vulgaris,  Bubo  ascalaplms,  and  Nyctea  nivca,  there  is 
an  additional  posterior  brevis  tendon,  arising  separately  from 
the  muscle.  This  latter  tendon  sometimes  in  Otus  vulgar  is 
is  connected  with  the  middle  one. 

'  Fide  CLARK,  '  On  the  Pterylography  of  certain  American  Goatsuckers  and 
Owls,'  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  xvii.  p.  551. 

-  A  monograph  of  the  Strigidse,  Zool.  Trans,  iv. 

:!  Cf.  COLLETT,  '  On  the   Asymmetry  of    the    Skull   in    Strix    Tenyinalmi,' 
P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  739. 

4  D'ALTON,  DC  Striyuui  Muscidis  Comvicntalio,  Halis,  1837  ;   HEUSINGER? 
Arch.f.  1'hys.  vii.  1«22. 


246 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


In  Asia  of/is  there  is  a  fleshy  slip  from  pectoral  to 
longus  tendon,  and  a  fibrous  slip  from  humerns  to  patagial 
muscle  just  at  origin  of  innermost  brevis  tendon.  In  Scops 
Lempiji  there  are  muscular  slips  to  both  longus  and  brevis 
from  the  pectoral,  and  a  fibrous  slip  from  the  humerus  to 
the  longus  tendon  just  at  its  origin. 

The  humeral  origin  of  the  anconceus  is  always  present. 

There  is  never  an  expansor  secundariorum,  so  far  as 
is  known. 

The  pectoralis  primus  is  not  at  all  double. 

The  only  one  of  the  leg  muscles  used  by  GARBOD  in 
classification  that  is  present  is  the  fcmoro-caudal,  the 
formula  thus  being  A  —  .  Glutaeus  I.  is  absent,  glutseus  V. 
small.  In  Ketupa  javanensis,  however,  V.  is  absent  and  I.  not 
quite  so.  Only  one  peroneal  muscle  is  present,  which  is 
attached  to  head  of  metacarpal.  The  tendon  of  insertion  of 
the  tibialis  antictis  is  divided ;  in  Puhatrix  I  found  it  to 
be  trifid  at  insertion,  arid  even  the  muscle  itself  was  divided 
into  two  for  a  short  distance. 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  are  of  type  I.  In  Ketupa 
ceylonensis  the  two  tendons  blend  a  quarter  of  the  way  down 
the  tarso-metatarsus  ;  though  blended  the  fibres  can  be 
recognised,  and  it  may  be  seen  that  those  of  flexor  hallucis 
mainly  supply  digits  I.,  II.,  a  small  part  only  to  rest  of  com- 
mon tendon. 


Asio  otus 
Syrnium  aluco 

,,        nebulosum 
Bubo  ignavus 

„      virginianus  . 

,,      capensis 
Ketupa  javanensis 
,,        ceylonensis 
Athene  noctua 

,,        passerina  . 
Pulsatrix  torquata 
Speotyto  cunicularia 
Nyctea  nivea 
Surnia  funerea 
Gyrnnoglaux  nudipes 


Small  Int 

Large  Int. 

Cfeca 

Ins. 

,  —  •  —  ,     Ins. 

Ins. 

20 

2-5 

22 

2 

3-5 

25 

2 

3 

40 

2-25 

4-5 

34-5 

3-5 

4 

30-25 

2-8 

3-8 

24 

1-75 

4 

30 

3-5 

3-5,  3-_M 

14 

1 

2-5 

14 

1 

2 

21 

2 

2-5 

15 

2 

42 

4 

16-5 

1-5 

2 

9-9 

2-2 

1-4 

STR1GES 


247 


The  colic  caeca  are  always  (fig.  125)  dilated  at  the  blind 
end.  The  liver  lobes  are  subequal,  and  the  gall  bladder 
appears  to  be  always  present.1 

The  skull  of  the  owls  2  shows  some  differences  in  Strix 
from  the  characters  which  distinguish  the  majority  of  the 
group. 

In    Strix    the  skull  is  elongate,  the  proportions  being  in 
Strix  flammea  56  length  :  36 
breadth.     In  another  species 
(Strix  sp.  inc.)  62  :  37-5. 

On  the  other  hand  in  other 
owls  the  differences  between 
breadth  and  length  show  gra- 
dually progressive  series,  cul- 
minating in  Speotyto  cunicu- 
laria,  in  which  the  proportions 
are  nearly  equal,  viz.  38  :  37. 
The  skull  of  Strix  further 
differs  from  that  of  other  owls 
in  the  swollen  character  of 
the  prefrontal  processes, 
which  are  thin,  almost  paper- 
like  sheets  of  bone  in  other 
owls.  The  interorbital  septum 
of  Strix  is  thick,  while  in  the 
remaining  genera  it  is  reduced 
to  a  thin  dividing  lamina,  as  is 
the  case  with  most  birds.  The 

sknll  characters  of  the  o-pmis    FlG'  125'~ CoLIC  C'ECA  OF  Plt°todiltl* 

(AFTER  BEDDABD). 

Photodilus  are  to  some  extent 

intermediate  between  Strix  and  the  remaining  genera  of  the 
Striges.  The  interorbital  septum  of  Photodilus  is  not 
so  thick  as  in  Strix,  but,  011  the  other  hand,  not  so  thin  as  in 
other  owls,  as,  for  example,  Bubo.  The  prefrontals,  although 
not  so  swollen  as  in  Strix,  are  not  nearly  so  flattened  as  they 

1  Absent  in  Spcotyto;  cf.  SHUFELDT,  'Notes  on  the  Anatomy  of  Sweaty toC 
Jonrn.  Morpli.  iii.  18S'.),  p.  122. 

-  See  for  certain  details  of  skull  structure  PARKER,  Linn.  Trans.  (2),  i.  p.  138. 


248 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


are  in  Bubo,  where,  as  already  explained,  they  are  thin 
plates,  hardly  thicker  than  a  piece  of  paper.  So  far  Photo- 
dilus  agrees  with  Strix  ;  but  there  are  points  in  which  the 
skull  of  this  aberrant  owl  is  nearer  to  the  bubonine  section 
of  the  order.  It  has  not  the  occipital  convexities  which  are 
so  striking  a  feature  of  the  skull  of  Strix.  Finally  Pliotodiliis 
is  strigine  in  the  non-extension  over  the  occcipital  region  of 
the  temporal  fossse,  which  do  so  extend  in  many  of  the 
Bubonidae.  In  Strix  there  is  but  one  notch  on  either  side 


FIG.  126. — SKULLS  OF  Strix  (LEFT-HAND  FIGUEE)  AND  Bubo 

(AFTER  BEDIMED). 
E,  prefrontal  process  ;   W,  maxillo-palatines. 

of  the  sternum  ;  in  other  owls,  including  Photodilus,  there 
are  two.  The  vomer  of  the  owls  is  not  large,1  and  behind  it 
there  is  a  medio-palatine,  at  least  occasionally  present. 

The  lacrymals,  like  the  maxillo-palatines,  with  which 
they  come  into  contact,  are  swollen  and  spongy.  The 
nostrils  are  often  partly  covered  by  ossified  alinasals,  and 
there  is  a  largely  bony  internasal  septum. 

1  Said  by  SHUFELDT  to  be  absent  in  Speotyto. 


STR1GES 


iM'.  > 


In  the  foot  of  Strix  (see  fig.  127)  the  first  phalanx  of  digit 
III.  is  much  less  than  the  second  in  length  ;  in  most  other 
owls  (fig.  128)  these  two  phalanges  are  small  and  subequal  ; 
Plwtodilus  is  intermediate.  The  latter  genus  has  the  pecu- 
liarity that  the  last  digit  has  only  four  phalanges  instead 
of  five,  the  two  basal  ones  being  fused. 

The  number  of  cervical  vertebrae  does  not  appear  to  vary. 


FIG.  1*27. — EIGHT  FOOT  OF  Strix  (AFTER  BEDDAUD). 

I  have  found  fourteen  in  Strix,  Photodilus,  Ketupa,  and 
other  genera  which  I  have  examined.  In  Bubo  bcngalensis 
the  ring  of  the  atlas  is  incomplete  above ;  the  significance  of 
the  occurrence  of  this  same  deficiency  in  Pandiou-  is  largely 
lost,  owing  to  the  fact  that  Cariama  is  similarly  characterised. 
The  haemapophyses  in  Ketupa  javanensis  commence  as 
single  processes  on  Cll,  and  extend  to  D3  ;  on  CIO  is  a 


250         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

bifid  hypapophysis,  and  on  C9  the  catapophyses  nearly  form 
a  canal.  Posterior  catapophyses  begin  on  C12,  whence  they 
gradually  climb  the  hypapophyses.  Bubo  bengalensis  is 
much  the  same,  save  that  there  is  not  a  bifid  haemapophysis 


FIG.  128.  —  LEFT  FOOT  OF  Bubo  (AFTER  BEDDAED). 

on  10.     In  Strix  the  catapophyses  on  C9  are  distant.     Photo- 
dihix  is  like  Ketupa. 

To  the  sternum,  which  is  one-notched  in  Strix  and  two- 
notched  in'  other  owls,  five  ribs  are  attached.     Dr.  COUES  ' 


Key  to  N.  American  -Bm/.v. 


STKIC;  KS 


251 


has  mentioned  the  existence  among  the  Striges  of  a  '  scapula 
accessorial  The  coracoids  are  not  in  contact  at  their  articu- 
lation with  sternum  ;  the  procoracoids  are  moderately  large, 
and  the  clavicle  reaches  both  them  and  the  scapula. 

If  it  were  not  for  Photudilns,  it  might  be  possible  to 
divide  the  Striges  into  two  families,  Strigidse  and  Bubonidse. 
As  it  is,  it  may  perhaps  be  permissible  to  regard  the  order  as 
containing  but  one  family,  but  two  sub-families,  viz.  Striginse 


FIG.  129. — SYRINX  OF  Scot's  leucoti* 
(AFTER  BEDDARD). 


FIG.  130. — SYRINX  OF  Bubo 
(AFTEI;  BEDDARD). 


and  Bubonina?,  to  which  possibly  a  third,  Photodilinae,  might 
be  added. 

The  syrinx  of  the  Striges  has  been  chiefly  described  by 
WUNDEELICH  !  and  by  myself.2  This  group  is  one  of  the 
few  that  present  the  remarkable  variety  of  the  voice  organ 
which  has  been  termed  the  bronchial  syrinx.  All  the  owls, 
so  far  as  they  have  been  examined,  possess  one  pair  of 
intrinsic  muscles  and  the  usual  one  pair  of  extrinsic  muscles. 
Scops  leucotis  has  the  most  modified  syrinx.  In  this  bird 
(see  fig.  129)  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  so  far  down 
the  bronchus  as  to  the  tenth  bronchial  ring,  and,  as  will  be 

1  '  Beitriige  zur  vergleichenden  Anatomic  und  Entwicklungsgeschichte  des 
unteren  Kehlkopfes  der  Vogel,'  Nov.  Act.  Lcop.  Akad.  xlviii.  1884,  p.  1. 

2  '  On  the  Classification  of  the  Stviges,'  Ibis  (o),  vi.  p. 


I'-li1         STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

seen  from  the  figure,  the  bronchial  rings  in  front  of  this 
attachment  are  complete  rings,  with  no  membranous  inter- 
space left.  In  >S7rw,  on  the  other  hand,  and  in  IJiibo  and 
Syniiiu/i,  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  inserted  on  to  the  first 
bronchial  semi-ring.  In  Asio  seven  complete  rings  intervene 
between  the  bifurcation  of  the  trachea  and  the  first  incom- 
plete bronchial  semi-ring,  to  which  the  muscles  are  attached. 
In  Photodilus  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  inserted  on  to  the 
second  bronchial  semi-ring. 

Until  lately  the  owls  have  been  almost  invariably  placed 
in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  diurnal  birds  of  prey. 
Latterly,  however,  the  opinion  has  been  gaining  ground  that 
it  is  to  the  picarian  birds  (in  a  wide  sense)  that  they  are  most 
nearly  allied.  This  opinion,  more  than  hinted  at  by  GARROD 
and  NEWTON,  has  been  given  a  practical  shape  in  the  classi- 
fications of  FURBRINGER  and  GADOW.  The  latter  has  in- 
geniously pointed  out  that  it  is  impossible  to  imagine  that 
the  Striges  have  been  derived  from  the  Accipitres,  since, 
although  without  an  arnbiens,  they  have  much  the  same 
structure  of  foot  as  the  Accipitres  with  an  ambiens.  Hence 
it  is  difficult  to  believe  that  they  would  have  lost  it ;  he  con- 
cludes that  they  are  derived  from  some  bird  without  an 
ambiens,  and  the  failure  of  MITCHELL  to  find  the  last  trace 
of  the  missing  ambiens — obvious  in  some  birds  which  are 
clearly  the  descendants  of  birds  with  an  ambiens — still 
further  supports  that  way  of  looking  at  the  matter.  Even 
in  the  skull,  where  the  principal  likenesses  between  the 
Accipitres  diurrife  and  nocturnae  (as  the  two  groups  in 
question  have  been  called)  have  been  seen,  there  are  really 
many  differences.  It  is  only,  for  example,  in  the  skulls  of 
those  Accipitres  to  which  the  owls  have  been  supposed  to 
have  the  least  resemblance,  i.e.  the  Cathartidas  and  Serpen- 
tariidse,  that  there  are  basipterygoid  processes.  The  owls 
are  decidedly  not  desmognathous  (in  the  sense  of  a  maxillo- 
palatiiie  union),  and  their  lacrymal  is  quite  different  from 
that  of  the  hawks  and  eagles.  The  palate,  too,  is  incom- 
plete in  front  of  the  maxillo-palatines,  not  solid,  as  in  the 
Accipitres.  As  to  other  anatomical  features,  it  is  harder  to 


STKIGES  233 

find  likenesses  than  differences.  The  Accipitres  have  rudi- 
mentary caeca,  a  biceps  slip,  the  expansor  secundariorum,  a 
tufted  oil  gland,  an  aftershaft  (except  Pandiun)  ;  the  deep 
flexor  tendons  are  different,  and,  in  short,  the  differences  are 
as  great  as  those  which  separate  any  two  groups  of  carinate 
birds.1 

PSITTACI 

Definition. — Twelve  rectrices ;  -  aftershaft  present;  aquintocubi- 
tal  ;  zygodactyle.  Skull  desmognathous,  holorhinal,  "with- 
out basipterygoid  processes.  Biceps  slip  and  expansor  se- 
cundariorum  absent/'  Muscle  formula,  AXY  +  or  — .  No 
caeca  ;  a  crop  present. 

The  parrots  are  an  almost  cosmopolitan  group,  being 
most  abundant,  however,  in  the  tropics.  Count  SALVADORI, 
in  his  British  Museum  catalogue  of  the  group,  allows  five 
hundred  species,  distributed  among  seventy-nine  genera. 
The  parrots  are  a  very  sharply  defined  group,  there  being 
no  dubious  outlying  forms.  They  are  usually  brilliantly 
coloured,  and  lay  white  eggs  in  hollows  of  trees.  "With  the 
exception  of  the  owl  parrakeet  (Stringops)  of  New  Zealand 
the  parrots  are  arboreal  birds,  as,  indeed,  the  zygodactyle  feet 
denote.  As  to  external  characters,  the  exaggeratedly  hawk- 
like bill  is  well  known.  The  almost  universal  twelve 
rectrices  distinguish  the  group,  but  in  other  external  and 
internal  characters  the  parrots  show  considerable  diversity 
of  structure,  as  is  sometimes  the  case  with  large  and  widely 
distributed  groups  ;  compare,  for  instance,  the  pigeons,  which 
present  many  other  analogies  to  the  parrots. 

The  oil  gland4  is  a  structure  which  may  be  wanting  or 
developed.  The  table  on  p.  268  indicates  some  of  the  genera 

1  See  also  under  '  Caprimulgi,'  p.  243. 

-  With  the  sole  exception  (cf.  GADOW)  of  Oreopsittacus  Arfttld. 

:!  See  below,  p.  2(il. 

4  External  characters  and  many  other  points  in  the  anatomy  of  parrots  are 
dealt  with  by  GAKUOD,  '  On  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  the  Parrots,'  Ac., 
P.  Z.  iS'.  1874,  p.  247,  and  'Notes  on  the  Anatomy  of  certain  Parrots,'  ib'nL 
187(>,  p.  ()'.)!  ;  see  also  FORBES,  '  On  the  Systematic  Position  of  the  Genus 
Lathaimts,'  ibid.  1879,  p.  160. 


2-54         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

111  which  it  is  present  or  absent.  When  present  it  is  in- 
variably tufted,  and  generally  of  fair  size.  In  Cacatua  sul- 
l>1tiirca,  however,  the  oil  gland,  though  present,  is  small,  and 
has  but  a  single  small  down  feather  upon  it. 

The  parrots  are  a  group  of  birds  which  agree  with  the 
Accipitres  in  that  some  genera  have  powder-down  patches 
while  others  have  not.  The  table  already  referred  to  indi- 
cates the  facts  so  far  as  they  have  been  ascertained.  The 
degree  of  development  of  the  powder-downs,  however,  differs 
considerably,  though  in  no  parrot  is  there  more  than  a  single 
pair  of  definite  powder-downs  which  are  lumbar  in  position. 
In  Cacatua  sulplmrea,  for  instance,  there  are  a  pair  of  such 
patches,  one  on  either  side  of  the  dorsal  tract.  These  send 
up  a  few  scattered  powder-down  feathers  as  far  forward  as 
the  neck,  and  a  few  to  carinal  spaces  and  between  the 
branches  of  the  ventral  tract. 

In  Calopsitta  Novte  Hollan,dicc  there  are  the  same  lumbar 
patches  of  a  reniform  outline ;  but  the  powder-downs  are 
entirely  confined  to  this  region  of  the  body. 

Calyptorhynchus  stellatiis  is  more  like  Cacatua,  but  the 
lumbar  patch  is  not  so  well  developed. 

In  Psittacula  passerina  there  are  lumbar  patches  more 
elongated  but  narrower  than  those  of  the  parrots  already 
referred  to ;  there  are  also  scattered  powder-downs  not 
aggregated  into  patches. 

Brotogerys  tirica  has  no  defined  patches,  but  simply  a 
few  scattered  powder-downs,  which,  however,  are  more  nume- 
rous in  the  lumbar  regions.  In  Coracopsis,  Chrysotis,  and 
Pionits  there  are  the  same  generally  diffused  powder-down 
feathers  not  aggregated  into  definite  tracts.  The  same  may 
be  said  generally  of  Psittacus,  though  such  powder-downs  as 
there  are  are  limited  to  the  lumbar  region. 

The  general  pterylosis  of  the  parrots  is  as  follows  :  From 
the  general  covering  of  the  head  arises  a  narrow  dorsal  tract, 
which  bifurcates  in  the  interscapular  region.  Between  the 
arms  of  this  fork  are  the  arms  of  another  fork,  which  unite 
near  the  oil  gland  to  form  the  single  straight,  short  posterior 
part  of  the  dorsal  tract.  On  the  ventral  surface  the  tract  is 


PSITTACI  25.> 

single,  or  double  on  the  neck,  and  where  it  widens  out  011 
either  side  of  the  carina  sterni  a  strongly  feathered  lateral 
branch  is  given  off. 

The  variations  shown  in  the  pterylosis  are  not  great. 
They  concern  the  more  or  less  definite  separation  of  the 
lateral  ventral  tract  and  the  slighter  or  more  pronounced  fea- 
thering of  the  anterior  end  of  the  posterior  dorsal  Y.  Thus 
in  Lathanuts  and  Platycercus  the  lateral  ventral  tracts  are 
well  marked,  and  the  posterior  fork  of  the  dorsal  tract  does 
not  diminish  much  in  width  where  it  comes  into  contact 
with  the  anterior  fork.  In  Trickoglossus  the  exact  reverse 
of  these  conditions  obtains,  the  lateral  ventral  tracts  being  but 
obscurely  delimited  from  the  main  tract,  and  the  dorsal  tracts 
of  the  hinder  part  of  the  body  almost  ceasing  before  their 
junction  with  the  anterior  half. 

PsepJiotus,  Cyanorhamphus,  Pyrrhulopsis,Agapornis,  &c., 
agree  with  Platycercus.  In  Ara  the  outer  branch  of  the 
pectoral  tract  is  not  definitely  separable,  but  the  dorsal  tracts 
are  more  like  those  of  Platycercus.  Conurus  is  much  the 
same. 

The  syrinx  of  the  Psittaci !  seems  to  show  two  main 
varieties. 

a.  In  the  following  species  there  is  a  syrinx  of  the  type 
which  will  be  described  immediately  :— 

Cacatua  cristata. 

,,         triton. 

„         Philippinarum. 
Microglossa  aterrima. 
Calyptorliynclms  Banks  i. 
String  ops  habroptilus. 

The  syrinx  is  in  these  species  remarkable  for  the  fact  that 
the  first  semi-rings  of  the  bronchi  are  weak  and  cartilaginous, 
and  are  usually  separated  from  each  other  by  considerable 
tracts  of  membrane.  Cacatua  itself  represents  the  most  ex- 

1  The  syrinx  has  been  chiefly  studied  by  GIEBEL,  '  Zur  Anatomic  der 
Papageien,'  Zcitschr.  f.  d.  ges.  Wiss.  xix.  p.  133,  and  by  PARSONS  and  myself, 
'  On  certain  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  Parrots,'  Ac.,  P.  Z.  S.  1893,  p.  507. 


256         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

treme  type  ;  in  Cacatua  cristata,  for  example,  when  the  syrinx 
is  seen  on  a  lateral  view  the  membrane  occupies  a  great  deal 
of  the  outer  lateral  region  of  the  commencement  of  the 
bronchus. 

The  semi-rings  of  the  bronchus  are  at  first  very  small,  and 
do  not  extend  across  the  side  of  the  bronchus  ;  they  gradu- 
ally increase  in  length,  until  at  the  sixth  or  seventh  they 
come  to  extend  right  across  the  syrinx.  In  Microglossa 
aterrima  the  syrinx  is  in  certain  respects  less  abnormal ; 
the  rings  are  still  feeble,  but  on  a  lateral  view  of  the  organ 
they  extend  completely  across,  and  there  is  on  such  a 
view  no  bare  tract  of  membrane,  such  as  we  have  figured 
in  Cacatua. 

Calyptorhynchus  Banksi  is  intermediate  between  the 
two  extremes  ;  the  first  semi-ring  only  is  incomplete,  inas- 
much as  it  does  not  reach  from  one  side  of  the  syrinx  to 
the  other — or  rather  we  should  say  from  the  anterior  to  the 
posterior  side. 

String  ops  habroptilns  has  the  same  weak  cartilaginous 
bronchial  semi-rings  ;  but  on  a  lateral  view  of  the  syrinx  they 
are  seen  to  extend  right  across. 

b.  The  second  group  contains  the  following  genera  :- 

Chrysotis.  Tanygnathus. 

Pyrrhulopsis.  Eos. 

Triehoglossus.  Poly  teles. 

Lorius.  Platycercus. 

Pionus.  Pceocephalus. 
Psittacus. 

These  genera'  are  differentiated  from  those  of  the  first 
division  by  the  fact  that  the  bronchial  semi-rings  are  as  a  rule 
ossified,  and  are  frequently  more  or  less  fused  together ;  at 
the  same  time  the  first  ring  is  commonly  concave  upwards, 
whereas  in  the  parrots  of  the  first-mentioned  group  the 
bronchial  semi-rings  are  straight. 

The  most  extreme  type  is  perhaps  offered  by  Chrysotis; 
of  this  genus  I  have  seen  the  following  species  :  — 


PSITTACI 

Chrysotis  versicolor.  Chrysotis  Bodin. 

,,         erythrura.  ,,         viridigenalis. 

,,         leucocephala.  ,,         Levaillanti. 

In  all  these  species  the  first  two  rings  of  the  bronchus 
are  closely  fused  together,  and  form  a  bowed  piece  of  bone 
forming  with  the  last  tracheal  ring  a  semicircular  outline  ;  the 
space  between  the  two  is,  of  course,  occupied  by  membrane. 
In  Chrysotis  Levaillanti,  for  instance — and  there  is  no  great 
difference  in  the  other  species — the  double  character  of  the 
apparently  single  first  bronchial  semi-ring  is  only  to  be  seen 
at  the  two  ends.  In  a  number  of  other  parrots  the  first 
bronchial  semi-ring  is  larger  than  that  which  follows,  though 
not  fused  with  it ;  this  is  the  case  with  Trichoglossus, 
Pyrrhulopsis,  and  Chalcopsitta ;  the  genera  Eos,  Poly  teles,. 
Platycercus,  and  Tanygnathus  have  syringes  which  are  con- 
structed on  the  same  plan.  In  Conurus  there  is  a  little 
difference  ;  here  the  first  two  rings  of  the  bronchus  are  equi- 
sized ;  this  at  any  rate  applies  to  the  two  species  Conurus 
aureus  and  Conurus  cruentatus,  which  are  the  only  two  that 
we  have  examined  from  this  point  of  view.  The  genus  Ara 
(species  Ara  Leari,  Ara  militaris)  agrees  with  Conurus. 
Psittacus  is  like  these  genera  ;  but  Pionus  agrees  more  closely 
with  Chrysotis. 

It  will  be  obvious  that  no  hard  and  fast  line  can  really 
be  drawn  between  the  two  groups  of  parrots  ;  if  it  were 
thought  desirable  to  draw  such  a  line,  it  would  be  between 
the  genus  Cacatua  on  the  one  hand  and  all  the  remaining 
parrots  on  the  other.  Cacatua  alone  has  a  syrinx  in  which 
the  first  bronchial  semi-rings  are  incomplete,  leaving  a  bare 
tract  laterally  which  is  easily  visible  when  the  syrinx  is 
viewed  from  the  side :  but  in  this  genus  there  is  another 
peculiarity — the  intrinsic  muscle  of  the  syrinx  ends  in  a  very 
narrow  point,  which  passes  into  a  fine  tendon  of  attachment ; 
in  Chrysotis,  Eos,  &c.,  the  muscle  is  comparatively  broad 
down  to  its  actual  attachment.  In  this  particular  Micro- 
glossa  and  String  ops  agree  with  Cacatua,  although  they  do 
not  show  the  incomplete  rings  that  have  been  mentioned  as 

s 


258         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

characteristic  of  the  latter  genus.  These  genera,  in  fact,  are 
to  this  extent  intermediate  between  Cacatua  and  the  more 
normal  (at  any  rate  more  usual)  form  of  syrinx  in  the 
parrots  ;  the  rings  are  still,  however,  soft  and  cartilaginous, 
thus  different  from  Conurus,  which  is  a  further  step  in  the 
direction  of  Chrysotis  ;  Clirysotis  seems  to  represent  the 
opposite  extreme  to  Cacatua.  Ara  is  a  genus  which  is 
also  intermediate  in  the  characters  of  its  syrinx ;  it  has 
weakish  and  straight  rings,  as  in  Stringops,  for  instance  ; 
but  the  muscles  are  as  in  the  second  group  of  parrots,  and 
the  general  aspect  of  the  syrinx  is  more  in  accord  with  this 
placing  of  it. 

Finally  it  should  be  added  that  occasionally  (e.g.  Polyteles 
melanurus)  the  extrinsic  muscles  are  attached  not  to  the 
sternum,  but  to  the  membrane  covering  the  lungs,  being  con- 
tinued there  by  thin  tendons.  In  Platycercus  Barnardi 
there  would  seem  to  be  no  extrinsic  muscles  at  all. 

Parrots  are  very  much  alike  in  their  myology  ;  there  are, 
however,  a  few  points  in  which  they  show  differences,  and 
which  may  be  useful  for  the  purposes  of  classification. 

The  tensores  patagii  of  the  parrots  are  like  those  of 
many  homalogonatous  birds  in  the  broad  aponeurotic 
character  of  the  tendon  of  the  tensor  brevis,  which,  however, 
has  two  or  three  thickened  bands  in  it  corresponding  to  the 
discrete  tendons  of  most  other  birds  (e.g.  Charadriidae) .  Of 
these  thickened  bands  the  anterior  commonly  gives  off  a 
wristward  slip ;  but  there  appears  to  be  never  any  patagial 
fan.  The  aponeurosis  is  inserted,  as  usual,  on  to  the  tendon 
of  the  extensor  metacarpi  radialis,  and  is  continued  over  it 
by  two  tendinous  slips,  of  which  the  posterior  runs  obliquely 
to  the  elbow  joint,  like  the  '  passerine  slip  '  of  many  birds. 
The  common  tensor  patagii  muscle  is  usually  very  large,  and 
often  completely  covers  the  posterior  deltoid  (d.  major}. 
GAREOD  dissected  away  the  anterior  thickened  tendon  of  the 
brevis  in  Deroptyus  accipitrinus,  and  found  it  to  arise  from 
a  distinctly  separate  slip  of  the  patagial  muscle  attached  to 
clavicle.  The  tendon  in  question  is  inserted  on  to  the  lower 
external  humeral  process,  and  may  represent  with  its  muscle 


I'SITTACI  :>/i!) 

a  primitive   passerine   tensor  patuyii  brevis,   to   which  has 
been  subsequently  added  an  extension  of  the  deltoid. 

With  the  general  structure  that  has  been  described  the 
parrots  show  much  difference  in  the  details  of  the  patagial 
tendons. 

The  arrangement  of  the  tendons  of  the  tensor  patagii  is 
very  much  the  same  in  Nestor,  Sir  ing  ops,  and  Calijpto- 
rlnjnclms  ;  in  all  three  the  tendons  are  relatively  very  long- 
when  compared  with  the  fleshy  part  of  the  muscle,  and  they 
are  all  close  to  one  another,  so  as  to  give  the  appearance  in 
Stringops  of  one  tendon.  In  Calyptorhijnchus  the  anterior 
tendon  leaves  the  others  in  the  lower  part  of  the  patagium 
and  runs  forwards  after  its  usual  fashion,  so  that  the  main 
distinctive  point  of  these  three  genera,  as  far  as  the  tensor 
patagii  goes,  is  that  the  middle  and  posterior  tendons  are 
close  together.  In  Cora  cops  is  these  tendons  are  separated 
by  a  slight  interval,  but  closely  correspond  to  the  arrange- 
ment in  the  birds  last  named. 

Eos,  Loriiis,  Pwoceplialus,  and  Gaica  have  a  character- 
istic and  almost  uniform  arrangement  of  the  patagial  tendons. 
In  them  the  three  tendons  are  very  difficult  to  distinguish, 
because  the  fibrous  membrane  between  them,  of  which  they 
are  only  specialised  parts,  is  as  thick  as  they  are.  The  result 
is  that  in  these  birds  the  patagial  muscle  seems  to  be  inserted 
by  a  broad,  short,  membranous-looking  tendon. 

Conurus  shows  a  transitional  stage  between  these  last 
genera  and  the  typical  arrangement  ;  the  three  tendons  are 
more  distinct,  and  they  are  equally  short  and  show  the  same 
mode  of  attachment  to  the  fleshy  part  of  the  muscle. 

Latliaiiiiis  is  remarkable  for  having  the  anterior  tendon 
separate  in  its  whole  length  from  the  middle  one,  instead  of 
being  fused  with  it  in  the  upper  part  of  its  course. 

Chrysotis  and  BolborlujncJi//*  have  a  small  extra  tendon 
between  the  middle  and  posterior  ones;  in  C.  Gnildiinji  this 
was  only  present  on  one  side,  but  in  C.  leucocepliala  it  was 
found  on  both. 

Psittacus  has  three  tendons  wrhich  are  completely  separate 
in  the  whole  of  their  course,  and  in  this  respect  it  corre- 

s   2 


260         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

spends  to  Lathamus.  The  anterior  tendon  may  represent  the 
fused  anterior  and  middle  tendons  of  Latlicuuus,  and  the 
middle  tendon  may  be  an  extra  one,  as  in  Chrysotis.  Our 
reasons  for  this  are  that  there  is  a  considerable  interval 
between  the  two  tendons,  and  that  they  do  not  diverge,  as 
in  all  other  cases.  If  this  view  is  correct,  the  patagial 
tendons  of  Psittacus  closely  resemble  those  of  Chnjsotis, 
while  they  also  agree  in  having  the  anterior  deltoid  larger 
than  the  posterior,  in  the  absence  of  a  lower  head  to  the 
anconaeus,  and  in  having  the  deltoid  completely  covered  by 
the  tensor  patagii. 

The  two  deltoids  are  but  small  muscles,  and  are  largely 
covered  by  the  relatively  enormous  tensor  patagii.  It  is 
better  to  use  the  terms  '  anterior  '  and  '  posterior  '  for  the  del- 
toids, since  their  relative  dimensions  vary  considerably.  The 
major  is  by  no  means  always  the  larger.  Sometimes  the 
two  deltoids  are  entirely  covered  by  the  tensor  patagii,  some- 
times the  posterior  is  partly  exposed.  Thus  in  Nestor  the 
muscle  is  exposed,  in  Dero2)tyus  and  Chrysotis  it  is  covered. 
In  Nestor  and  Stringoj)s  the  anterior  deltoid  is  the  smaller, 
in  Caica  it  is  the  larger.  In  Tanygnatkus,  Bulborhynchus, 
and  E 'elect us  the  deltoids  are  narrow  and  equisized.  In  Eos 
cardinalis  the  anterior  deltoid  (which  is  the  larger)  is  di- 
visible into  two  distinct  parts. 

As  regards  the  relative  sizes  of  the  two  deltoid  muscles, 
where  they  differ,  such  genera  as  are  known  may  be  arranged 
as  follows  :— 

A.  Delt.  Larger  Post.  Belt.  larger 

Deroptijus,  Psittacula,   Aprosmic-  Nestor,  Stringops,Calyptorhynchust 

tus,  Lorius,  Caica,  Eos,  Pyrrlmlopsis,   ,    Cacatua. 
Latliamns,      Palaornis,     Loriculus, 
Psepliotiix,       Poroccphaliis,      Cyano- 
rhamphus,  Psittacus,  Melopsittacm. 

In  some  parrots  the  anconaits  longux  has  an  accessory 
head  from  the  humerus,  which  is  especially  broad  in  Stringops 
The  table  on  p.  268  shows  the  distribution  of  this  accessory 
head  among  the  genera. 

The  expansor  secitndarionim  is  stated  by  G-ARROD  to  be 


PSITTACI  261 

absent  from  the  Psittaci.  This  is  certainly  almost  univer- 
sally the  case.  But  FURBRINGER  speaks  of  a  rudiment — a 
short  length  of  tendon — in  Platycercus  palliceps. 

No  parrot  has  a  biceps  slip.  A  muscular  cuculhiris 
patagialis  is  generally,  if  not  always,  present. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  ambiens  muscle  is  present  in 
some  parrots,  and  absent  from  the  leg  of  others.  The  actual 
occurrences  of  this  muscle  are  shown  in  table  (p.  268).  Strin- 
fjops  is  peculiar  in  that  the  muscle  is  sometimes  complete 
and  quite  normally  developed,  and  sometimes  ends  in  a  thin 
tendon  on  the  capsule  of  the  knee  joint.  This  recalls 
(Edicnemus. 

Of  the  other  muscles  of  the  leg  used  by  GARROD  in  classi- 
fication A,  X,  and  Y  are  nearly  always  present,  the  only 
exception,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  being  Chrysotis  Guildingi,  in 
a  specimen  of  which  I  failed  to  find  Y. 

Sometimes  (as  in  Ara  chloroptera)  the  semitendinosus 
gives  off  a  tendinous  slip  to  the  gastrocnemius,  but  in 
Chrysotis  there  is  no  such  slip.  The  tibialis  anticus  is 
usually  inserted  by  a  single  tendon.  This  Mr.  PARSONS  and 
I  found  to  be  the  case  in  the  majority  of  parrots  which  we 
examined.  But  in  Chrysotis  the  tendon  is  distinctly  double. 
In  Deroptyus,  Caica,  Pceocephalus,  Platycercus,  and  a  few 
others,  there  are  more  or  less  evident  indications  of  a  double 
tendon. 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  of  the  parrots  are  gallinaceous, 
with  a  vinculum  such  as  is  illustrated  in  fig.  54  (p.  100). 
There  are  some  inconsiderable  variations  of  this  ground  plan  ; 
for  instance,  in  Platycercus  Barnardi  the  vinculum  is  divided 
into  two  parts,  one  to  digit  II.,  the  other  to  III.  and  IV. 

Peroneals. — The  peroneus  longus  and  brevis  are,  as  far  as 
we  have  observed,  always  present  in  parrots,  but  the  origin 
of  the  former  differs  somewhat  in  different  genera. 

In  String  ops  and  Nestor  the  peroneus  longus  rises  from 
the  front  of  the  bony  fibula  and  its  membranous  continuation 
for  about  the  upper  half  of  the  leg.  The  muscular  belly 
overlaps  that  of  the  peroneus  brevis  very  much  near  its 
origin,  and  the  muscle  is  large  and  well  marked. 


•26-2         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


In  CJirysotift,  on  the  other  hand,  the  peroneus  longus  is 
very  small  and  only  rises  from  the  membranous  continua- 
tion of  the  fibula  in  the  lower  part  of  the  leg ;  it  is  so  small 
that  it  does  not  overlap  the  peroneus  brevis  at  all,  but  lies 
behind  it. 

The  parrots  have  a  well-developed  crop  and  a  zonary 
prove ntriculus.  In  the  liver  the  right  lobe  is  the  larger  ; 
rarely  are  they  subequal.  The  gall  Madder  is  as  a  rule 
absent ;  but  it  is  present  in  Cacattia  and  in  Calopsitta,  though 
'  small  and  easily  overlooked  '  in  the  latter. 

The  intestinal  measurements  in  a  series  are  as  follows  :- 


Indies. 

Stringops  .         .         .73 

Eclectus polyclilonts  .  93 
Calyptorliynclius 

Banksi  .         .         .61 

Ara  ambigua     .         .  62 

,,     ararauna    .          .  50 

Cacatna  sulf/trra        .  33'75 

,,         cristata         .  37 

,,         triton  .         .  51 

I'ionus  saiilis    .          .  5O5 

,,       Maximiliani  49 

Eos  rctlculata  .         .  25'5 

,,    iinlica          .         .  26 

Platycercm  Barnardi  29-5 

„  pallidiceps  20 

Nestor  nicridiotialis  38 

Microglossa  aterritna  34 

Pyrrhulopsis  splendcns  43 

Chrysotis  collar  la      .  45 

,,        festira          .  36 

Geopsittacus  occlden- 

tali*  15 


IlR'llCi. 

Tanygnatlms  Midler i  57 
Psittacus  eritliacus  .  48 
Conurus  Petzii  .  .12 
Palceornis  Alexandra  30 
Aprosmictus  erythro- 

pterus    .         .         .41 

Lorius  lori         .         .     33 

Loricuhis  clirysonotus   12 

,,         galgulus     .     1(5 

Chalcopsitta  scintillata  37 

Psittinus  malaccensis     12 

Euphema  pulclicUa    .     12 

,,         splendida  .     12 

Deroptyus  accipitrinus  31 

Pionopsitta  pileata    .     39 

Latliamus  discolor     .     18 

Coracopsis  Barkleyi .     33 

Dasyptilus  Pecqueti .     17-25 

Brotogerys  tirica       .     31 

tori  21 


The  most  obvious  comment   upon  the  above  list  is  to 
draw  attention  to  the  very  great  length  of  the  gut  in  E elect u ft, 


PSITTACI  263 

whose  relations  in  this  particular  to  other  parrots  are  almost 
those  of  Didunculus  to  other  pigeons.1 

The  most  recent  and  elaborate  essay  upon  the  osteology 
of  the  parrots  is  by  MiVART,2  who  has  described  the  entire 
skeleton  of  Lorius  and  Psittacus  ;  some  of  his  illustrations 
are  reproduced  here.  Fourteen  is  the  prevalent  number  of 
cervical  vertebra  (e.g.  Lorius,  Psittacus,  Platycercus,  Caica). 
Strinr/ops,  however,  has  fifteen.  The  atlas  is  notched  (Ara 
in.ilitaris)  or  perforated  (Pyrrhulopsis)  for  the  odontoid 
process.  Five  (Ara,  Psittacus)  or  six  (Platycercus,  Pyrrhu- 
lopsis) ribs  articulate  with  the  sternum.  The  sternum  has 
as  a  rule  an  entire  posterior  margin,  which  in  Licmetis  is 
entirely  unnotched  and  unfenestrated.  Most  parrots  have  a 
pair  of  fenestrse  which  in  Deroptyus  and  Microglossa  are 
converted  into  notches.  The  sternum  has  a  spina  externa, 
slightly  forked  occasionally  (e.g.  Psittacus  erithacus,  Callo- 
ceplialon,),\)\\i  no  spina  interna.  The  carina  is  deep — deeper 
in  Platycercus  (without  furcula)  than  in  Caica  (withfurcula), 
the  species  being  approximately  of  the  same  size.  The 
furcula  is  sometimes  present  and  sometimes  rudimentary. 

It  is  present,  and  forms  a  complete  U,  in  Nestor,  Conurus, 
Caica,  Licmetis,  Microglossa,  Ara,  Palceornis,  CYC. 

An  intermediate  condition  is  observable  in  Eos,  where  the 
furcula  thins  much  towards  its  sternal  end.  A  still  further 
reduction  is  seen  where  the  two  clavicles  are  separate  below 
and  only  bound  by  cartilage.  Finally  there  are  those  parrots 
with  a  quite  rudimentary  pair  of  clavicles,  consisting  only  of 
a  small  piece  of  bone  at  the  coraco-scapular  end.  This  is  the 
case,  for  example,  with  Pyrrhulopsis  and  Platycercus. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  cervical  verte- 
brae and  the  position  of  the  first  and  last  haemophyses  in  a 
number  of  parrots  :— 


1  For    structure    of   tongue    see    CIACCIO,    '  Nota    preventiva   sull'    interna 
struttura  della  lingua  del  Papagalli.'  liendic.  Sess.  Ace.  1st.  Bologna,  1877-8, 
p.  157. 

2  '  The  skeleton  of  Lorius  flacn^t  Hiatus   compared  with  that  of  Psittacus 
erithacus,'  P.  Z.  S.  1895.     There  is  no  account  of  the  bones  of  the  limits 


264 


STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


No.  of 
C.  V. 

First        last 
Hnem.      Hsem. 

(  'atap. 

Pyrrhulopsis  persona  ta                                  1  4 
Conurns  hcemorrhoiis  .                                   14 

09        D3 
C9        D2 

C13-D1 
C14 

Platycercus  Pcnnanti  .                                 14 
Ara  militari*        .         .                                 14 

C9        Dl 
C8        D3 

012-14 
C13-D1 

Eclectus  poiychloros     .                                14 

Nestor  notabilis    .         .                                   14 

C8        Dl 

CS  *      D2 

C11-D1  ' 
C12-D1 

Caica  mclanocepliala    .                                   13 
Callocephalon  galeatiun                                14 
Calopsitta  Nova  Hollandicr.                           14 
Conurus  cruentatus      .         .                          14 

C8         D3 
C9         Dl 
C9        Dl 

C8         D2 

C13-D1 
013-14 
012-14 
012-13 

The  liumerus  of  parrots  is  peculiar,  and,  as  GAKKOD  3  has 
pointed  out,  there  are  features  of  resemblance  to  the  Columbse 
and  to  the  Alcidae.  This  peculiarity  will  be  found  described 
and  figured  in  the  chapter  dealing  with  the  Columbse.  The 
skull  is  very  uniform  in  its  structure  throughout  the  group. 
It  is  desmognathous,  holorhinal,  and  without  basipterygoid 
processes. 

The  front  part  of  the  face  (nasals,  maxillae,  and  premaxillae) 
articulates  by  a  transverse  joint  with  the  frontals,  which  is 
movable.  The  mobility  of  the  anterior  part  of  the  face  is 
aided  by  the  movable  articulation  to  it  of  the  palatines  and 
the  jugals.  The  palatines  have  a  peculiar  form ;  for  the 
most  part  they  are  laterally  flattened  plates  of  great  depth 
and  considerable  extent.  The  quadrate  of  parrots  too  is 
peculiar  in  the  great  length  of  the  neck,  which  bears  the 
squamosal  articulation.  In  many  parrots  the  lacrymal  bone 
joins  the  forward  process  of  the  squamosal,  thus  completely 
encircling  the  orbit  with  bone. 

The  hijoid  has  been  extensively  studied  by  MIVAET  ;  4  in 

1  On  Dl  the  median  part  of  the  hsemapophysis  has  vanished,  leaving  only 
the  lateral. 

2  On  this  vertebra  is  a  double  ruemapophysis,  forming  a  canal. 

3  See  also  for  osteology  of  parrots  BLANCHAKD,  '  Des  Caracteres  Osteologiques 
chez  les  Oiseaux  de  la  Famille  des  Psittacides,'   Compt.  Betid,   xliii.   p.  1097, 
and  xlix.   p.   518  ;  MILNE-EDWABDS,  '  Observations  sur  les  Caracteres  Osteolo- 
giques,'  &c.,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  (6),  vi.  p.  91 ;  L.  VON  LOEENZ,  '  Uber  die  Skeletc 
von  Stringops  liabropiilus  u.  Nestor  notabilis,'  S.B.  k.  Ak.   Wien,  Ixxxiv.  1882, 
p.  624. 

1  '  On  the  Hyoid  Bone  of  certain  Parrots,'  P.  Z.  ,V.  IWto,  p.  1C.2. 


1'SITTACI 


this  paper  references  will  be  found  to  previous  figures  and 
descriptions.  It  has  features  which  absolutely  distinguish 
this  group  of  birds. 

The  entoglossal  has  a  considerable  median  foramen,  or 


B 


C 


u 

FIG.  131. — HYOID  OF  Stringops  (AFTER  MIVART).     A.  DORSAL  ASPECT. 
B.  VENTKAL.     C.  LATERAL. 

I/,  basihya! ;  r,  eutoglossum  :  p.  jiuraliyal  profess  :  it,  uruhyal  ;  /i'o,  liypobranebial ; 

<•!>,  ccratobranchial. 

more  usually  is  composed  of  two  separate  pieces  united  in  front 
by  cartilage.  The  basihyal  is  broad,  and  it  develops  on  either 
side  a  forwardly  directed  piece  (figs.  131-3),  for  which  Dr. 
MIVART  has  suggested  the  name  of  parahyal  piece.  This 


266         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

latter  is  merely  a  short  process  in  Ara,  Psittacus,  and 
String  ops  (fig.  131) ;  in  Lorius,  Eos,  and  Trichoglossus  the  two 
parahyals  (figs.  13'2,  133)  unite  and  form  a  single  Y-shaped 


FIG.  132. — HYOID  or  Lorius  flavopalliatus  (AFTER  MIVAKT). 

A.  DORSAL  ASPECT.     B.  VKNTKAL.     C.  LATEHAL. 
e,  cup-like  excavation  ;  //.  syiupln  >fs  "f  ininihyals.     Otliur  letters  as  in  fig.  lol. 

bone  inclined  obliquely  upwards.  The  only  bird  which 
seems  to  present  much  resemblance  to  the  parrots  is  the 
eagle,  which,  according  to  the  figure  in  BRONX'S  '  Thierreich,'  ' 

1  Arcs,  PL  xxxi.  tic;.  23. 


PSITTACI 


267 


has  a  broad  basihyal  with  the  short  angular  processes  which 
suggest  the  more  elaborate  parahyals  of  the  parrots. 

The  classification  of  the  parrots  has  been  attempted  by 
more  than  one  naturalist  ;  but,  as  GADOW  has  justly  ob- 
served, '  our  knowledge  of  the  anatomical  structure  of  these 
birds  is  at  present  too  incomplete  in  relation  to  their  large 
numbers.' 

GADOW  himself  has  practically  divided  them  by  the 
structure  of  the  tongue  into  two  families,  Trichoglossidae  and 
Psittacidn?.  In  all  the  Trichoglossidae  the  orbital  ring  is 


FIG.  133. — HYOID  OF  Loritts  domicclla  (AFTER  MIVAIIT) 

AS  IN  FIG.  131. 


LETTERS 


incomplete,  and  it  is  possible  that  the  remarkable  structure 
of  the  hyoid,  described  above,  may  serve  to  distinguish  this 
family.  The  first  family  contains  only  Nestor,  the  lories, 
Cyclopsittacus,  and  Lathamus  ;  but  the  two  latter  are  very 
iinperfectly  known.  The  remaining  genera  are  relegated  to 
the  second  family. 

GARROD'S  arrangement  of  the  group,  anterior  to  that  of 
GADOW'S  in  point  of  time,  is  based  upon  the  variations  of 
the  ambiens,  oil  gland,  furcula,  and  carotids.  The  facts, 
with  a  few  others  added,  are  displayed  in  the  following- 
table  :- 


268 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


«  w 

-a 

» 

o  s 

a  s 

•a 

— 



5 

S 
S 

"s  g 

'-3 
o 

o 

Distribution 

S 

a!  s 

S 

5 

0 

< 

1? 

o 

Stringops 

+ 

OC 

+ 

2 



New  Zealand 

Palceornis    . 

+ 

— 

— 

2 

+ 

Africa,    India,    China, 

East  Indies 

Aprosmictus 

+ 

— 

— 

2 

+ 

Australia,           Austro- 

Malaya 

Polytelcs 

T 

— 

2 

+ 

Australia 

E  elect  us 

+ 

— 

— 

2 

+ 

Moluccas,  Papua 

Tanygnathus 

+ 

— 

2 

+ 

Philippines,      Celebes, 

New  Guinea 

Prioniturus 

+ 

— 

2 

+ 

Philippines  to  Celebes 

Eos      .... 

+ 

— 

— 

2 

+ 

Moluccas,  Papua,  Solo 

mon  Islands 

Trichoylossus 

+ 

— 

2 

+ 

Australia,          Celebes, 

Papua.    Timor,  New 

Caledonia 

Lorius 

-|_ 



2 

T 

Moluccas    to    Solomon 

Islands 

Loriculus     . 

+ 

— 

— 

2 

+ 

India  to  Papua 

Coripliilus  . 

+ 

— 

2 

+ 

Society  and  Marquesas 

Glialcopsitta 

+ 

— 

2 

+ 

Papua 

Psittinus 

+ 

_ 

2 

+ 

Malay     Peninsula     to 

Borneo 

Agapornis    . 

+ 

— 

2 

— 

Ethiopian  region 

Eupliema 

+ 

— 

2 

- 

Australia      and      Tas- 

mania 

Mclopsittacus 

+ 

— 

2 

— 

South  Australia 

Geopsittacus 

+ 

— 

2 

— 

South  Australia 

Eolophus 

4- 

— 

2 

+ 

i  Australia     to     Philip- 

pines 

Calyptorhynchus 

+ 

— 

+ 

2 

+ 

Australia 

Calops'Ma    . 

+ 

— 

2 

+ 

Australia 

Licmetis 

+ 

— 

2  or  1. 

+ 

Australia 

Microglossa 

— 

— 

2 

_4_ 

Papua,  North  Australia 

Cacatua 

4- 

+ 

2 

+ 

Australia,           Austro- 

Malay,  Philippines 

Galloccplialon 

+ 

— 

2 

+ 

Australia 

Psittacus 

+ 

+ 

— 

2 

+ 

Tropical  Africa 

PcROceplialus 

+ 

-t- 

— 

2 

+ 

Tropical  Africa 

Nestor 

+ 

+ 

+ 

2 

+ 

New  Zealand 

Nasiterna  '  . 

+ 



2 



New  Guinea 

Ara      .... 

+ 

+ 

+ 

2 

_|_ 

Mexico        to        South 

America 

Conunis 

+ 

'   + 

— 

2 

+ 

Mexico        to        South 

America 

Bolborliynchus 

+ 

+ 

— 

2 

+ 

Mexico        to        South 

America 

Caica  .... 

+ 

+ 



2 

+ 

Guiana   and   Amazons 

Pyrrhula 

+ 

— 

2 

+ 

Costa      Eica,       South 

America 

Deroptyus    . 

+ 

— 

— 

2 

+ 

Guiana,        North-East 

Brazil 

'  FORBES,  '  On  some  Points  in  the  Structure  of  Nasiterna,'  &c.,  P.  Z.  S.  1880,  p.  7G. 


PSITTACI 


269 


r£     Wi 

rvf     — 

03 

a 

fii    .5 

5 

— 

3 

a 

-.2          '-3 

2  c        g 

^  <2              ^ 

Distribution 

o 

<^ 

3-4-1                       ^ 

w 

B   C 

w 

Pionopsitta 

+ 

— 

- 

2 

+       Central       and       South 
America 

LatJiaiiius    . 

+ 

—   '   — 

2 

+      Australia      and      Tas- 

mania 

Coracopsis  . 

+ 

-      — 

2 

+      Madagascar 

Pyrrhulopsis        .         .      + 

+ 

2         +      Fiji 

Dasyptilus  .        .        .      + 
CJiry  satis     . 





2 
2 

+      New  Guinea 
+       Mexico        to        South 

America 

Pionus 

2          +       Mexico        to        South 

America 

rtrotogeri/fi   . 

2          +       Central        to        South 

America 

Platyccrcus          .         .       + 

2                  Australia,      Tasmania, 
Norfolk  Island 

Psepliotns    .         .         .       +                           2                  Australia 

Cyanorlunnplnts  .         .      + 

2 

New      Zealand,      New 
Caledonia,      Society 

Islands 

Psittacula    . 

+ 

_        — 

2 

Mexico        to       South 

America 

Nympliicus  . 

+ 

2 

+       New       Caledonia       to 
Loyalty  Islands 

From  these  facts  and  a  few  others  may  be  derived  the 
following  scheme  :— 

Sub-Order  Psittaci  :— 

Fain.  I.  Palseornithidse.     Two  carotids.     Ambiens  ab- 
sent.    Oil  gland  present. 

Subf.  (1.)  Palgeornithinse.  Paleeornis,  Eclectus,  Apros- 
mictus,  Eos,  Tanygnathus,  Prioniturus,  Psittinus, 
Loricnlns,  Trickoglossus,  Lorius. 
Snbf.  (2.)   Cacatuinae.     Orbital  ring  complete. 

Calopsitta,  Calyptorhynchus,  Licmetis,  Eolo- 
pJms,  Cacatua. 
Subf.  (3.)   Stringopina?.     Furcula  lost. 

Stringops,  Euphema,  Geopsittacus,  Melopsitta- 
cus,  Agapornis. 

Fam.  II.  Psittacidse.     Left  carotid  superficial. 
Div.  a.  Ambiens  present. 


t>70         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Subf.  (4.)    Arinae.     Ara,    Coiiunis,    Bolborhynchus, 

Caica,  Psittacus,  Pceocephaliis,  Nestor. 
Div.  b.     Ambiens  absent. 

Subf.  (5.)  Pyrrhurinse.     PyrrJnira,  Lathamas,  Coni- 

copsis,  Pyrrhulopsis. 
Subf.  ((3.)  Platycercinse.     Furcula  lost. 

Platycercus,  Psephotus,  Cyanorhamphus,  Psit- 
t  acid  a. 

Subf.  (7.)   Chrysotinae.     Oil  gland  lost. 
Chrysotis,  Pionus,  Brotogcrys. 

A  phylogenetic  tree  accompanies  GAREOD'S  scheme,  in 
which  it  is  assumed  that  the  ancestral  parrot  possessed  the 
normally  running  carotids,  an  ambiens,  an  oil  gland,  and  a 
complete  furcula.  From  this  the  main  stems  are  given  off, 
in  one  of  which  the  carotids  remained  normal,  while  in  the 
other  the  left  became  superficial.  The  loss  of  the  other 
characters  leads  to  further  branching  of  both  main  branches. 

The  Stringopina?,  especially  Stringops  itself,  are  the 
nearest  living  representatives  of  the  ancestral  stem. 

FURBRINGER  '  also  argues  for  the  low  position  of  Strin- 
gops, in  contradiction  to  MARSHALL,  who  holds  that  it  is  an 
extremely  modified  form.  Its  owl-like  plumage,  defective 
carinal  keel,  and  associated  loss  of  the  power  of  flight  are 
undoubtedly  modifications,  but  it  seems  more  probable  that 
they  are  modifications  of  an  ancient  than  of  a  modern  type 
of  parrot.  FURBBINGER'S  views  are  chiefly  based  upon  the 
flexibility  of  its  anatomical  characters.  I  have  already 
referred  to  the  variability  of  the  ambiens  :  the  sternum  offers 
another  fact  of  the  same  kind  ;  sometimes  it  is  entire,  without 
notches  or  foramina,  sometimes  there  are  one  or  two  upon 
one  or  the  other  side,  and  occasionally  two  incisurge,  one 
upon  each  side.  This  variability  must  not  be  associated,  as 
variability  may  often  be  associated,  with  a  rudimentary 
structure  ;  the  xiphosternum  is  not  rudimentary,  though 
the  keel  is. 


1  '  Einige  Bemerkungen  Uher  die  Stellung  von  Sfrinr/ojm,'  Ac.,  Jouni.  f.  O. 
1889,  p.  230. 


PS1TTACI  271 

Mr.  PARSONS  and  I  have  pointed  out  certain  likenesses 
between  Stringops,  the  Cacatuinas  of  GARBOD,  and  Nestor, 
which  he  places  in  an  altogether  different  family.  These 
partly  concern  the  syrinx,  to  which  attention  has  been 
already  directed,  partly  the  muscular  system.  In  those  birds 
the  posterior  deltoid  is  larger  than  the  anterior.  It  may  be 
noted  also  that  powder-down  patches  are  best  developed  and 
more  universal  among  the  Cacatuinse,  while  it  is  in  that 
family  only  that  the  gall  bladder  exists. 

Of  extinct  parrots  among  the  most  remarkable  is  Lopliopsitta- 
cus  mauritianus,1  characterised,  as  was  also  Nccropsittacus  rodcri- 
canus,  by  its  enormous  jaws. 

The  principal  interest  attaching  to  other  remains  of  parrots  is 
the  light  that  they  throw  upon  the  former  distribution  of  the 
group  ;  for  Psittacus  has  been  found  in  the  lower  Miocene  of 
France. 

The  determination  of  the  affinities  of  the  parrots  to  other 
groups  of  birds  is  one  of  the  hardest  problems  in  ornithology. 
They  have  been  likened  to  the  Accipitres  (mainly,  perhaps, 
on  account  of  the  hooked  beak  and  its  cere),  and  to  the 
gallinaceous  birds,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  which  they  were 
placed  by  GARROD.  It  seems  to  me  that  the  parrots,  like 
the  cuckoos,  are  a  group  of  birds  which  are  on  the  border- 
land between  the  Aiiomalogonatee  and  the  higher  birds.  It  is 
remarkable  what  a  number  of  points  there  are  in  which  they 
show  resemblances  to  the  Passeres — the  complicated  muscu- 
lature of  the  syrinx,  the  absence  of  biceps  slip  and  expansor 
secundariorum,  the  presence  of  a  cucullaris  propatagialis, 
found  in  the  Passeres  and  in  the  somewhat  passeriform 
Upnpa  and  Pici,  the  small  number  of  cervical  vertebrae,  the 
total  want  of  ca3ca,  allying  them  not  certainly  to  the  Passeres 
but  again  to  the  Pici  and  many  Anomalogonatee,  the  reduced 
clavicles  of  some  genera.  Zygodactyle  feet,  moreover,  are 
not  found  among  the  higher  birds  except  in  the  Cuculi  and 

1  Sir  E.  NEWTON  and  H.  GADOW,  '  On  Additional  Bones  of  the  Dodo  and 
other  Extinct  Birds  of  Mauritius,'  &c.,  Tr.  Zool.  Soc.  xiii.  p.  281.  See  also  for 
a  figure  and  account  of  this  bird  NEWTON'S  Diet.  Birds,  sub  voce  'Ex- 
termination.' 


•27-2         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

the  Musophagi,  which  are,  similarly  to  the  parrots,  on  the 
border  line  between  the  Anomalogonatae  and  higher  birds. 
It  is  noteworthy  also  that  of  the  Anomalogonatae  which 
present  a  catapophysial  canal  (found  at  any  rate  in  one 
parrot)  it  is  the  Pici  and  the  passerine  alone.  But  while  it 
is  not  so  difficult  to  point  out  likenesses  to  the  Anomalo- 
gonatae it  is  much  harder  to  indicate  resemblances  to  any 
of  the  higher  groups  of  birds.  It  must  be  held,  in  my  opinion, 
that  they  have  emerged  from  a  low  anomalogonatous  stock  . 
at  a  time  not  far  removed  from  that  at  which  the  Cuculi  and 
Musophagl  also  emerged,  but  that  there  is  not  a  common 
starting  point  of  the  three  groups. 


CUCULI 

Definition. — Feet  zygodactyle  by  reversion  of  fourth,  toe.  Skull 
desmognathous,  without  basipterygoid  processes.1  Oil  gland 
nude.  Quintocubital.  Two  carotids.  Caeca  longish.  Ambiens 
present. 

The  family  which  is  defined  by  the  above  characters  is  a 
large  one,  comprising,  according  to  the  recent  catalogue  of 
Captain  SHELLFA",  165  species,  which  are  distributed  by 
that  ornithologist  into  forty-two  genera. 

The  family  is  almost  world- wide  in  range,  being  most 
abundant,  however,  in  the  tropics.  Correlated  with  its 
numerous  genera  and  species  and  wide  range  we  find  a 
certain  amount  of  structural  variation  in  the  family,  which 
permits  of  its  division  into  several  subfamilies,  concerning 
the  number  and  extent  of  which  there  is  some  divergence  of 
opinion.  It  may  be  convenient,  however,  to  consider  the 
general  anatomy  of  the  family  before  dealing  with  its  major 
subdivisions. 

Apart  from  the  facts  used  in  the  definition  of  the  family 
the  cuckoos  are  characterised  by  the  absence  of,  or  the 
presence  of  only  a  rudimentary,  aftersliaft  to  the  contour 
feathers.  The  number  of  rectrices  is  not,  as  was  stated  by 
NITZSCH,  constantly  ten ;  for  in  Saurothera,  Guira,  and  Croto- 

'  Well-marked  rudiments  in  Rhinococcyx  and  Endynamis. 


CUCULI 


L'7.", 


•pliaga  there  are  only  eight.  The  feather  tracts  are  somewhat 
diverse  in  their  disposition.  The pterylosis  of  the  European 
cuckoo  (Cuculus  canurus)  has  been  described  by  NITZSCH  in 
his  '  Pterylography.'  The  feathering  on  the  throat  com- 
pletely occupies  the  intermandibular  space.  The  ventral 
pteryla  is  divided  upon  the  neck  into  its  two  halves,  which 
are  not  again  divided  ;  each  passes  backwards,  gradually 


Fin.  184. — PTERYLOSIS  OF  Eudynamis  orii'iitalis.     VENTRAL  VIEW. 

(AFTER  BEDDARD.) 

diminishing  in  extent,  until  it  ends  in  a  single  row7  of  feathers 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  cloaca.  Over  the  sternum  this 
pectoral  tract  is  very  wide  ;  later  its  three  rows  of  feathers 
become  separated  by  a  slight  interval,  two  on  one  side  and 
one  on  the  other,  which,  however,  reunite  before  ending  at 
the  cloaca.  The  spinal  tract  is  narrow  in  the  neck  region. 
It  bifurcates  on  the  shoulder  to  enclose  a  lanceolate  space. 

T 


274 


STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


Of  other  cuckoos  whose  pterylosis  has  been  studied  }  Caco- 
mantis,  Play  a,  Saurothera,  Diplopterus,  Coccuzus,  Chryso- 
coccyx,  and  Coccystes  agree  in  most  points  with  Cue  til  its. 
But  in  the  American  genera  Piay  a,  Diplopterus,  Saurotlicrn, 
and  CWr//,:^.s-,  the  ventral  tract  is  double  from  the  very  first 
—that  is  to  say,  in  the  mandibular  region. 

A  more  complicated  pterylosis  characterises  certain  other 


FIG.  135. — I'TKKYLOSIS  OF  Piay  a  cay  ana.     DOHSAL  VIEW.     (AFTER 

BEDDAKD.) 

cuckoos.  Iii  the  genus  Centropus  the  feathering  upon  the 
throat  is  close  and  continuous,  the  twro  ventral  tracts  diverg- 
ing at  about  the  junction  of  the  neck  and  trunk.  Each  of  these, 

1  BEDDARD,  '  On  the  Structural  Characters  and  Classification  of  the  Cuckoos,' 
P.  Z.  6'.  1885,  p.  HIS;  SHUFELDT,  '  Contributions  to  the  Anatomy  of  Geococcyx,' 
ibid.  1886,  p.  960. 


CUCULI 


275 


again,  divides  into  two  separate  tracts,  of  which  the  inner 
is  at  first  two  feathers  wide,  which  number  is  reduced  to  one 
just  before  the  termination  of  the  row  a  little  way  in  front  of 
the  cloacal  aperture.  The  outer  branch  consists  of  one  row 
only,  and  terminates  some  way  in  front  of  the  end  of  the  inner 
branch,  without,  however,  showing  any  signs  of  being  fused 
with  it.  Pyrrhocentor,  Gcococcyx,  Crotophdga,  Endi/)ia»iix, 


FIG.  ISl'i. — PTEKYLOSIS  oi'  Play  a  cat/ana.     VKNTKAL  VIKW. 
(AFTER  BEDDARD.) 

Scytlirops,  a,n.d.  Phosnicopha.es  k&v&a  pterylosis  which  is  much 
like  that  of  Ccntrupu-s.  The  two  types  of  pterylosis  observ- 
able in  the  cuckoos  are  illustrated  in  the  accompanying  wood- 
cuts. Unfortunately  the  pterylosis  of  some  important  genera, 
such  as  Cuua,  is  not  known. 

All  cuckoos  possess  the  (unbii'/is.     In  all  cuckoos  wre  also 
find  the  semitendinosus,  the  accessory  semitendinosus,  and 

T    12 


976         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

thefemorocaudal;  in  Centropu-s  and  its  allies,  both  in  the 
Old  World  and  in  the  New,  the  accessory  femorocaudal  is 
also  present.  In  many  groups  of  birds  the  arrangement  of 
the  tendons  ending  in  the  patagium  is  very  complicated. 
This  is  not  the  case  with  the  Cuculi,  where  the  disposition  of 
these  tendons  is  very  uniform.  For  the  most  part  the  sim- 
plicity is  suggestive  of  the  perhaps  allied  picarian  birds.  In 
Cuculus  canorus,  for  example,  which  has  been  figured  by 
GARROD,  the  tensor  patagii  brevis  is  inserted  on  to  the  fore 
arm  without  any  bifurcation.  So  too  in  Piaya,  Saurothera. 
The  only  exception  to  this  which  has  been  noted  occurs  in 
Geococcyx,  where  the  said  tendon  bifurcates  just  before  its 
insertion,  the  anterior  branch  being  inserted  on  to  the  exten- 
sor metacarpi  radialis  a  little  way  in  front  of  the  main 
attachment.  This  is  also  the  case  with  Guira  and  Phcenico- 
pliaes. 

No  cuckoo  has  any  biceps  slip.  In  some  genera,  e.g.  in 
Saurothera,  Coccyzus,  Pyrrhocentor,  there  is  an  attachment 
between  the  anconaeus  and  the  humerus.  In  Guira  there 
is  none.  The  expansor  secundariorum  is  what  GARROD 
(see  p.  85)  has  termed  '  ciconiiform.  The  glutceus  primus 
is  extensive  in  most  cuckoos  ;  l  its  origin  in  them  reaches 
behind  the  head  of  the  humerus  as  well  as  in  front.  There 
is  no  glutaeus  V.  The  deep  plantar  tendons  of  Pyrrhocentor 
and  Centropus  are  peculiar  in  that  no  branch  is  sent  to 
the  hallux. 

The  syrinx  in  the  cuckoos  shows  greater  variability  than 
in  any  other  group  of  birds  excepting  the  goatsuckers.  We 
meet  with  the  typical  tracheo-bronchial  syrinx  in  a  consider- 
able number  of  genera,  while  in  others  is  the  much-modified 
bronchial  syrinx.  The  latter  was  first  described  many  years 
ago  in  Crotophaga  by  JOHANNES  MULLER.  In  that  genus 
the  syrinx  closely  resembles  that  of  Steatornis,  which  has 
been  already  described  in  the  introductory  chapter  (see  p.  69). 
There  are,  however,  as  might  be  imagined,  differences  of 
detail.  In  Crotophaga  the  membrana  tympaniformis  com- 
mences at  the  seventh  ring  of  the  bronchi,  the  rings  in  front 

1  Apparently  absent  or  very  slight  in  CiucuTu*. 


CUCULI 


-217 


being  perfectly  complete  rings,  the  trachea  dividing,  '  as  in  the 
mammalia.'  From  the  seventh  onward  all  the  bronchial  rings 
are  semi-rings,  the  intrinsic  muscles  being  attached  to  the 
tenth.  This  is  one  extreme  of  the  series,  the  other  being 
offered  by  such  a  type  as  Piaya.  In  Piaya  (see  fig.  137) 
there  is  a  purely  tracheo-bronchial  syrinx.  The  third  bron- 
chial semi-ring  is  of  compara- 
tively speaking  enormous  size, 
and  to  it  are  attached  the  in- 
trinsic muscles  of  the  syrinx.  In 
Satirothera  we  have  a  syrinx 
which  is  quite  similar  save  for 
the  fact  that  the  third  bron- 
chial ring  is  not  enlarged. 
Diplopterus  is  much  the  same 
as  the  last.  Cuculus  has  also 
a  perfectly  typical  tracheo-bron- 
chial syrinx.  In  Eudynamis 
there  is  a  cuculine  syrinx,  the 
last  tracheal  arid  the  first  three 
bronchial  semi-rings  being  ossi- 
fied ;  the  intrinsic  muscles  are 
attached,  as  in  Piaya,  to  the  Fl(t<  137._SyBINX  OF  piayu  ca,/ana 

third         bronchial          semi-ring.  (AFTER  BEDDARK). 

Plifjcnicopliaes  is  much  the  same. 

The  remaining  genera  of  cuckoos  whose  syrinx  is  known 
are  nearer  akin  to  Crotophaga,  though  in  them  the  bronchial 
syrinx  is  not  quite  so  typical.  In  Centropus  ateralbus,  for 
instance,  the  first  fifteen  rings  of  the  bronchi  are  incomplete 
internally  and  are  closed  by  membrane,  but  the  membranous 
area  is  narrow  ;  this  area  widens  out  at  the  sixteenth  ring, 
which  with  the  following  is  much  stronger  than  the  pre- 
ceeding  and  succeeding  rings  of  the  bronchus  ;  to  the  sixteenth 
ring  are  attached  the  intrinsic  muscles  of  the  syrinx.  Pyr- 
rhocentor  and  Geococcyx  have  a  similar  syrinx.  The  syrinx  of 
Guira  is  in  many  respects  very  remarkable.  On  a  superficial 
view  it  is  not  unlike  that  of  Cuddus.  The  voice  organ  in 
this  genus  is  placed  further  forwards  than  in  the  genera  just 


•278         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


considered.  But  the  first  two  or  three  rings  of  the  bronchus 
are  complete  rings  with  no  membrane  internally.  From  the 
fourth  onwards  the  rings  are  semi-rings.  Upon  the  sixth 
are  inserted  the  syringeal  muscles.  Coua  is  somewhat  inter- 
mediate. The  first  seven  bronchial  semi-rings  have  their 
•inner  extremities  separated  by  a  narrow  area  of  membrane. 
To  the  seventh  are  attached  the  intrinsic  muscles  of  the 
syrinx.  From  this  point  commences  the  tympaniform  mem- 


FIG.  138. — SYRINX  OF  Centropus  atcralbus  (AFTER  BEDDABD). 
A.  FRONT  VIEW.     B.  BACK  VIEW. 

brane.  The  accompanying  woodcuts  will  serve  to  illustrate 
the  varying  form  of  the  syrinx  among  the  Cuculi. 

As  with  some  other  large  groups  of  birds,  such  as  the 
pigeons  and  parrots,  the  gall  bladder  is  present  in  some 
cuckoos  and  absent  in  others.  The  gall  bladder  exists  in 
the  genera  Saurothera,  Coccyziis,  Guira,  Pyrrhocentor, 
Scythrops,  and  Cuculus  ;  it  is  absent  in  Cro'tophaga  and  in 
some  species  of  Centropus.  Coua  has  a  gall  bladder  ;  Eudtj- 
iKtinix  appears  not  to  have  one. 

In  Guira  the  right  lobe  of  the  liver  is  five  or  six  times  as 
large  as  the  left. 

The  main  artery  of  the  leg  is  the  femoral  in  Piaya,  Cen- 
tropus, the  sciatic  in  Diploptera,  Saurothera,  Cocci/:://*, 
Pyrrhocentor. 


CUCULI 


The  following  are  some  intestinal  measurements,  princi- 
pally of  the  caeca  :— 


Cucnliis  canorns    . 
Piaya  cayana 
Diploptcrus  ncevius 
S<iu rothcra  dominiccnsis 
Coccijzus  americanits 
Pyrrhoccntor  cclebcnsis 
Centropus  ateralbus 

„          phasianus     . 
PJut'tiicophacs  sp. 
Geococcyx  affinis    . 
Crotophaga  sidcirostris 
Guira  piririgua     . 
Scythrops 
Chrysococcyx 


S.    ]. 


Inches 


16 


12 
20 


Cnohes 

Inches 

3 

1-1 

1-8 

1-4 

1 

•8 

2 

1-7,  1-5 

1-3 

1-2,1-1 

2-5 

1-5 

2-1 

1-75,  1-5 

2 

2-25 

•  —  * 

1-75 

2-25 

3 

2 

3 

1 

1-5 

1-5 

'  N 

4-5 

6-5 

•1) 

As  for  the  skull  of  the  cuckoos,  that  of  Scythrops  has  been 
described  by  PARKER  l  and  by  myself.2  SHUFELDT  has 
studied  the  skeleton  of  Geococcyx.3  Scythrops  is  doubly  des- 
mognathous,  the  maxillo-palatines  being  united  for  their  whole 
lengths,  and  the  palatines  also  being  fused  with  each  other 
posteriorly.  In  other  cuckoos  the  maxillo-palatines  diverge 
posteriorly  for  a  short  space,  and  there  is  no  union  between 
the  palatines.  Scijtlirops  has,  according  to  PARKER,  two 
small  vomers,  situated  one  behind  the  other.4  In  cuckoos  the 
ectethmoid  processes  are  large,  and  the  lacrymal  has  often 
(e.g.  Scijtlirops,  Crotophaga)  a  large  descending  process 
nearly  touching  the  jugal .  Scijtlirops  and  Eudynamis  have  an 
os  uncinatum  lying  between  the  descending  process  of  the 
lacrymal  and  the  ectethmoid. 

The  holorhinal  nostrils  are  much  obliterated  by  bony 
growths,  the  degree  varying.  As  a  consequence  the  nostrils 
are  as  a  rule  impervious  ;  but  in  the  dried  skulls  of  Pyrrho- 
centor  and  Cuculus  there  is  a  considerable  foramen. 

No  cuckoo  has  more  than  fourteen  cervical  rriii'brce,  and 
some  have  only  thirteen.  Three  or  four  ribs  only  articulate 

Trans.  Linn.  Soc.  (2),  i.  '-  P.  Z.  S.  Is'.is. 

•7.  Anat.  Phys.  xx.  1886,  p.  244. 

I  could  only  find  one  lying  entirely  between  the  palatines. 


280         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

with  the  sternum.  The  sternum  may  be  fenestrated  or 
marked  by  posterior  incisions. 

The  atlas  of  Bliiiwcoccyx  1  is  perforated  by  the  odontoid 
process  ;  C11-D1  have  hypapophyses  in  addition  to  the  axis, 
and  two  or  three  following,  C12-14,  have  also  catapophyses, 
which  on  14  ascend  on  to  the  haemapophysis, 

In  Squrothera  CIO  has  closely  applied  paired  hsemapo- 
physes. 

The  modifications  of  the  syrinx,  the  pterylosis,  and  the 
leg  muscles  permit  the  family  to  be  subdivided  thus,  the 
subdivisions,  as  will  be  observed,  corresponding  to  the 
geographical  range  of  the  birds  :  — 

Subfamily  I.  Cuculinae.     Syrinx  tracheo-bronchial.    Ven- 

tral feather  tract  single.     Muscle  formula  AXY  +  . 
a.  Ventral  tract  single  at  commencement. 
Cuculus 


Cacomant'is 
Coccystes  (?) 
b.  Ventral  tract  double  at  commencement. 
Saurotliera       % 

Diplopterus  (?) 

„*  I  New  World. 

Piaya 

Coccyzus 

Subfamily  II.  PhoenicophainsB.  Syrinx  tracheo-bronchial. 
Ventral  feather  tract  bifurcate.  Muscle  formula 
ABXY  +  . 

Scytlirops          \ 

Eudynamis       mid  World. 

PlioenicopJiaes   > 

Subfamily  III.  Centropodinae.  Syrinx  bronchial.  Ven- 
tral feather  tract  bifurcate.  Muscle  formula 
ABXY  +  . 

1  In  Scythrogs  there  is  a  notch  nearly  completely  converted  into  a  foramen  ; 
in  Eudynamis  a  notch  less  nearly  converted  into  a  foramen,  also  in  Gnira  and 
Diplopterus.  In  Cuculus  and  Sawothcra  there  is  a  foramen. 


CUCULI  281 

a.  Ventral    tract    occupying   whole    of  space  between 
jaws. 


Old  World. 

Con  a  (?) 

b.   Ventral  tract  only  occupying  median  region. 

Geococcyx          \ 
Crotopha'ga        hNew  World. 
Guira 

The  question  of  the  affinities  of  the  cuckoos  is  a  difficult 
one. 

By  GADOW  they  are  placed  nearest  to  the  Musophagi  and 
next  nearest  to  the  Psittaci.  FUEBEINGEE'S  views  do  not 
greatly  differ.  There  seems  to  be  no  doubt  that  these  birds 
are  an  archaic  group  not  far  from  the  point  where  the  Ano- 
malogonatae  and  Homalogonata?  of  GAEEOD  diverge.  They 
are,  like  the  Musophagi,  quintocubital  ;  their  intestines  are 
simple  ;  and  they  have  the  complete  muscle  formula  (B  being 
in  some  forms  absent).  These  characters  are  found  in  others 
among  the  more  primitive  of  the  higher  birds. 

The  likenesses  wiiich  the  cuckoos  show  to  the  Pico-Pas- 
seres  are  mainly  in  the  structure  of  the  foot,  in  the  simple 
character  of  the  tendons  of  the  patagium,  and  the  marked 
resemblance  in  the  syrinx  to  that  of  the  Caprimulgi,  and  in  a 
less  degree  to  the  Striges.  As  has  been  pointed  out,  precisely 
the  same  series  of  modifications  between  the  extreme  bron- 
chial syrinx  of  Crotophaga  and  the  purely  tracheo-bronchial 
syrinx  of  Cucidus  are  to  be  seen  among  the  Caprimulgi.  The 
syrinx  is  really  the  only  salient  point  in  the  anatomy  of 
the  group  that  can  be  laid  hold  of  for  purposes  of  com- 
parison, and,  considering  the  dissimilarities  in  the  voice  and 
habits  of  cuckoos  and  goatsuckers,  it  is  particular])'  note- 
worthy. 

As  to  fossil  cuckoos,  the  two  most  interesting  facts  are, 
perhaps,  the  occurrence  of  Centropus  and  Phoenicopliaes  '  in 

1  See  MILNE-EDWARDS  in  Comptes  Rendus  for  1894. 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Europe,  especially  the  latter,  as  it  has  some  claims  to  repre- 
sent the  most  ancient  form  of  cuckoo,  with  complete  muscle 
formula  and  tracheo-bronchial  syrinx.1 


MUSOPHAGI 

Definition.— Oil  gland  tufted.  Aftershaffc  present.  Quintocubital. 
Rectrices,  ten.  Muscle  formula  of  leg,  ABXY  + .  Expansor 
seoundariorum  present.  Biceps  slip  absent.  Caeca  absent.  Both 
carotids  present.  Skull  holorhinal,  desmognathous,  without 
basipterygoid  processes. 

This  group  of  birds,  purely  African  in  range,'2  is  divisible 
into  three  genera,  Corythaix,  Musophaga,  and  Scliizorhis. 
These  genera  do  not  show  a  large  amount  of  structural 
variation. 

As  to  the  pterylosis,  the  two  ventral  tracts  are  double 
upon  the  neck  (in  C.  albocristata)  ;  they  remain  separate 
until  just  in  front  of  the  cloaca,  being  especially  weak  and 
narrow  in  the  breast  region.  Longitudinally  arranged  rows 
of  feathers  connect  the  pectoral  tracts  above  with  the 
humeral.  The  other  important  external  characters  are  stated 
in  the  definition. 

In  Schizorhis  the  normal  arrangement  of  the  leg  arteries 
obtains. 

In  Corytliaix  and  Musophaga  the  femoral  artery  is  the 
-one  developed.  The  right  jugular  is  the  largest,  and  in 
Corythaix  albocristata,  seems  to  have  entirely  disappeared. 

In  the  liver  the  right  lobe  is  the  larger,3  sometimes 
considerably  so.  The  gall  bladder  is  present,  and  sometimes 
is  elongated  in  form.  The  tongue  is  short  and  triangular  ; 
the  proventriculus  is  zonary,  the  gizzard  weak.  The  in- 
testines are  capacious  and  short,  without  ca3ca.  The  following 
are  a  few  measurements  : — 


1  Cf.  also  partial  persistence  of  basipterygoid  processes  in  Phoenicophainse. 
;  The  extinct  Necrornis  of  French  Miocene  may  be  a  Touraco. 
3  The  viscera  are  described  by  OWEN  for  Corythai.i-  /><>i-j>Jii/rcoIo}i]iit,  I'.  Z.  ,S' 
1834,  p.  3,  and  by  MARTIN  for  Corythaix  Hiitfnnii.  ibid.  is:-{li,  p.  3'2. 


MUSOPIIAGI 


283 


Corythaix  erytli  nilopli  us 
,,          albocristat<! 
,,         persa 

Musophaga  violacca . 

Sell izo rh  is  africanus 


17  inches 

18  „ 

18  „ 
18  „ 
20 


The  windpipe  of  Corythaix  persa  is  slightly  swollen 
along  its  course,  narrowing  again  at  the  bifurcation.  It  is 
much  ossified.  Counting  as 
the  last  tracheal  ring  that  to 
which  the  pessulus  is  attached 
in  front,  the  intrinsic  muscles 
are  inserted  on  to  the  third 
in  front  of  this.  The  first 
two  bronchial  semi-rings  are 
ossified  ;  the  third,  between 
which  and  the  second  there  is 
a  considerable  membranous 
interval,  is  the  first  of  the 
purely  cartilaginous  series. 
The  extrinsic  muscles  are 
stout,  and  arise  seven  or  eight 
rings  from  the  end  of  the 
trachea,  and  pass  at  once  to 

their  insertion ;  they  run  no  distance  along  the  trachea,  as  is 
so  common. 

Musophaga  has  no  intrinsic  muscles  ;  Schizorhis  has. 

As  to  muscles,  the  tensores  patagii  are  very  simple,  and 
the  biceps  slip  is  entirely  absent. 

The  tensor  breves  sends  off  a  wristward  slip  just  before 
its  insertion  in  both  Musophaga  and  Conjthaix  ;l  it  is 
reinforced  by  a  pectoral  slip  and  by  a  fibrous  slip  from  the 
humeral  crest. 

The  anconceus  long  us  has  not,  at  any  rate  in  Corythaix 
albocristata,  a  humeral  head.  Glutceus  I.  is  large,  covering 
the  biceps  ;  glutans  V.  is  absent  (Corythaix  erythrolophiix, 
Musophaga}  or  present  (Schizorhis  africanus}.  The  muscle 


Flft-  ^.—INTESTINES  OF 

ehlorochlamys  (AFTER  MITCHELL). 
^shorWircuiting  vessel  divided. 


1  Absent — perhaps  as  an  individual  variation — in  C.  albocristata. 


284 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 


formula  of  the  leg,  as  stated  in  the  definition,  is  ABX Y  + . 
Both  peroneals  are  present.  The  deep  flexor  tendons  are 
bound  by  a  vinculum,  which  is  single  in  Corytlmix  and 
double  in  Schizorhis. 

The  skull  of  Conjthaix  is  barely  desmogiiathous,  and 
by  no  manner  of  means  especially  like  that  of  a  cuckoo, 
to  which  group  the  Musophagi  have  been  often  compared. 
The  hinge  in  the  middle  of  the  face  is  nearly  complete,  but 
there  is  a  bridge  on  each  side,  formed  bty  an  ankylosis 
between  the  frontal  and  nasal.  The  holorhinal  nostrils  are 
situated  very  far  forwards,  and  each  has,  as  PAEKEE  '  has 
pointed  out,  an  osseous  fold  upon  the  ossified  internarial 
septum.  The  maxillo-palatines  diverge  from  each  other 
posteriorly  for  a  much  longer  space  than  in  any  cuckoo. 
The  ascending  laminae  of  the  palatines  come  into  contact 
for  a  very  brief  space  over  the  rostrum  in  front,  and  are 
continued  forward  for  a  short  distance  as  a  sharp  spike. 
Between  them  lies  a  minute  interpalatine  splint  (or  vomer). 
The  interorbital  septum  is  moderately  fenestrate.  The 
lacrymal  bones  are  of  some  size,  and  the  descending  process 
is  closely  applied  to,  but  does  not  fuse  with,  the  square 
ectethmoid  process  ;  connected  with  both  is  a  small  os 
uncinatum,  which  reaches  the  palatine.2 


Bony  nostrils   . 
Ectetlimoid 

Palatinrx 


Maxillo-palati  ncs 
Jugal  bar 


Cuculi 


dorsal      Not  so  continuous. 


Close      to      fronto-nasal      Near  end  of  bill. 

hinge. 
Continuous    with 

wall  of  orbit. 
Ascending   laminae   come 

into  contact  posti'riurlij 

for       a       considerable 


Ascending  laminae  come 
into  contact  anteriorly 
for  a  sliort  space. 


space. 

Move  completely  fused. 
Expanded  where  it  joins 

maxilla  on,  or  close  to, 

ventral  surface. 


Less  completely  fused. 

Not  expanded  ;  junction 
with  face  higher  up, 
very  much  as  in 
parrots. 


In  view  of  the  general  opinion  as  to  the  nearness  of  the 

1  In  his  paper  upon  Opixtliocnunis.     See  below,  p.  286,  footnote  7. 

2  J.  T.  REINHARDT,  Yid.  Medd.  Kjobenhavn,  1871,  p.  3'2(>. 


MUSOPHAGI 

alliance  between  Musophagidse  and  Cuculidte  it  may  be 
useful  to  tabulate  the  principal  divergences  in  the  skull. 

Corythaixh&s~L4:  cervical  vertebra'  ;  '  the  <tt1«x  is  notched, 
not  perforated  by  the  odontoid  process.  Four  ribs  reach 
the  sternnm,  which  is  doubly  notched  and  has  a  strong 
spina  externa. 

In  the  pelvis  the  prepubic  process  is  very  markedly 
developed,  as  in  Geococcyx. 

The  clavicle  comes  into  contact  both  writh  the  scapula 
and  with  the  moderately  large  procoracoid ;  the  latter  is 
fused  with  the  acrocoracoid,2  making  thus  a  complete  bridge 
over  the  sulcus  supracoracoideus.  The  coracoids  slightly 
overlap  at  their  articulation  with  the  sternum. 

The  heemapophyses  are  characteristic.  In  Corytlia  ix  albo- 
cristata  Cll  has  paired  processes  ;  on  C12  and  C13  the  hsema- 
pophyses  form  a  continuous  ventral  keel  to  those  vertebrae. 
The  three  following  vertebrae  have  hsemapophyses.  The 
extremities  of  those  of  Dl  and  D2  are  expanded  with  a 
median  ridge,  owTing  to  the  catapophyses  having  descended 
them.3 

OPISTHOCOMI 

Definition. — Aftershaft  present.  Oil  gland  feathered.  Rectrices,  ten. 
Q/uintocubital  Muscle  forrrmla,  ABX~S~  +  .  Biceps  slip  and 
expansor  secundariorum  present.  Carotids,  two.  Caeca  present. 
Skull  holorhinal,  schizognathous,  without  basipterygoid  pro- 
cesses. Sternum  peculiar  in  form,  wider  behind  than  in  front ; 
the  spina  externa  ankylosed  with  furcula. 

Tjiere  is  no  doubt  that  this  group,  consisting  of  but 
a  single  genus  and  species,  Opistliocomus  crist«tus,  the 
hoatzin  of  British  Guiana,  forms  a  well-marked  group  of 
birds. 

The  external  characters  of  the  adult  and  young  have  been 
chiefly  described  in  recent  years  by  NITZSCH,  PYCBAFT,4  and 

1  In  Corythaix persa  the  atlas  ring  is  incomplete. 

2  Cf.  Galli,  in  which  the  same  fusion  occurs. 

3  E.  BLAKCHARD,  '  Remarques  sur  1'Osteologie   des   Musophagides,' 
Rend.  xlv.  p.  50!). 

4  '  On  the.  Pterylography  of  the  Hoatzin,'  Ibis,  1895,  p.  345. 


286         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

myself,1  the  internal  anatomy  of  the  soft  parts  by  PERRIN,2 
GARBOD,a  GADOW,4  MITCHELL/'  and  myself. 

The  pterylosis  of  Opisthocomus  shows  a  less  sharp  differ- 
entiation into  pterylae  and  apteria  than  in  many  birds ;  many 
of  the  spaces  are  covered  with  a  sparse  feathering  of  semi- 
plumes.  This  condition  may  be,  as  GARROD  has  suggested, 
immediately  derived  from  a  continuous  feathering.  Never- 
theless there  is  a  sharply  marked  apterion  upon  the  carina 
sterni,  which  is  necessarily,  therefore,  of  limited  extent.  The 
dorsal  apterion  is  but  feebly  marked.  In  the  young  chick 
the  ventral  apterion  was  as  clear  as  in  the  adult,  but  I  could 
discover  no  trace  of  a  dorsal  bare  space.  In  the  young  un- 
hatched  chick  the  ventral  feathering  was  closer  than  the 

dorsal. 

The  skin  lying  upon  the  carina  sterni  is  dense  and  thick- 
ened, a  state  of  affairs  which  appears  to  have  some  relation 
to  its  habit  of  squatting  close  to  the  branch  upon  which  it  is 
resting. 

The  principal  recent  papers  upon  the  osteology  of  this 
bird  are  those  of  HUXLEY  G  and  the  more  recent  and  more 
elaborate  treatise  of  PARKER/  The  cervical  vertebra  are 
nineteen  in  the  adult  ;  but  PARKER  found  only  eighteen  in 
the  unhatched  young.  The  atlas  is  notched  for  the  odontoid 
process.  Hsemapophyses  are  very  feeble.  The  last  two  or 
three  cervicals  are  ankylosed  with  each  other,  and  form  part 
of  the  dorsal  series  of  ankylosed  vertebrae.  There  is  some 

1  '  Contributions  to  the  Anatomy  of  the  Hoatzin,'  &c.,  Ibis,  1889,  p.  283. 
See  also  C.  G.  YOUNG,  '  On  the  Habits  and  Anatomy  of  Opisthocomus  crixtatux  ;  ' 
Notes   Lcj/den    Mus.   x.    p.    169  ;   and  .T.  J.   QUELCH,  '  On  the  Habits  of  the 
Hoatzin,'  'ibis,  1890,  p.  327. 

2  '  On  the  Myology  of  Opisthocomus  cristatus,'  Tr.  Zonl.  Soc.  ix.  p.  353. 

3  '  Notes  on  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  the  Hoatzin,'  P.  Z.  S.  1879,  p.  109. 

4  '  Description  of  the  Modification  of  certain  Organs,'  &c.,  Zool.  J.B.  v.  Abth. 
Syst.  v.  1891,  p.  629,  and  Proc.  R.  Irish  Ac.  (3),  ii.  p.  147. 

r>  See    below,   p.  288,   footnote,  for   reference.     See   also    a    recent   paper 
by  GOELDI   in  Ornith.  M.B.  May  1895,  and    more  fully  in  Bol.  Mus.  Para. 

1895. 

B  '  On  the  Classification  and  Distribution  of  the  Alectoromorphss,'  P.  '/,.  S. 

1868. 

•   •  On  the  Morphology  of  a  Reptilian  Bird,  Opisthocomus  cristatus,'  Tr.  '/..  S. 

1891. 


OPISTHOCOM1 


variation  as  to  the  number  of  cervical  vertebrae,  which  bear 
long  rib  stylets.  As  a  rule  five  complete  ribs  exist,  of  which 
all  bear  uncinate  processes.  The  sternum  (see  fig.  140)  is  ex- 
ceedingly remarkable  in  its  form.  It  is  wider  behind  than  in 
Front,  with  a  pair  of  notches,  and  outside  of  these  a  pair  of 
foramina  ;  the  keel  is  shorn  away  anteriorly,  but  well  deve- 
loped posteriorly.  The  furcula,  which  is  shaped  like  a  fork 
with  nearly  straight  lines,  is  completely  ankylosed  on  the 
one  hand  with  the  coracoids,  and  by  its  median  region  with 


.  140.—  STERNUM  OF  Opisthocomus. 

SIDE  VIEW.     (AFTER  HUXLEY.) 


141. — STERNUM  OF 
tliocomus.        FRONT     VIEW. 
(AFTER  HUXLEY.) 


the  spina  externa  sterni.  The  region  of  the  furcula,  however, 
which  comes  into  contact  with  the  sternum  was  found  by 
PAEKER  to  be  a  separate  '  needle  of  bone,'  which  he  regarded 
as  the  iuterclavicle  (see  p.  lol).  The  scapula  is  provided  in 
the  young  with  a  distinct  suprascapula,  segmented  off  from 
the  scapula. 

The  pelvis  is  especially  compared  by  HUXLEY   with  that 
of  Gotuni-i.r  ;  it  has  no  ileo-pectineal  processes. 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

In  the  skull  the  rostrum  is  articulated  with  the  frontal 
region  by  a  well-marked  hinge.  The  skull  is  holorhinal, 
schizognathous,  and  there  are  no  basipterygoid  processes. 
The  vomer  is  expanded  and  bifid  in  front  in  a  fashion  that 
recalls  the  segithognathous  skull  and  that  of  certain  of  the 
Charadriiformes  (see  below). 

In  the  young  skull  PARKER  figures  basipterygoid  pro- 
cesses, not,  however,  articulating  with  the  pterygoids  ;  they 
appear  to  be  not  unlike  those  of  Aptornis  (see  below).  The 
holorhinal  nostrils  are  partly  obliterated  by  an  ossified  ali- 
nasal,  as  in  so  many  picarian  and  passerine  birds. 

The  alimentary  canal  of  Opisthocomus  is  remarkable  in 
more  than  one  way.  There  is,  in  the  first  place,  the  enormous 
crop,  which  has  been  most  recently  and  most  fully  described 
by  GADOW.  This  organ  is  very  large,  and  rests  upon  the 
furcula  and  the  fore  part  of  the  sternum,  for  the  abortion  of 
the  anterior  part  of  whose  keel  GADOW  thinks  the  crop  is  by 
its  pressure  responsible.  The  crop  too  is  exceedingly  muscu- 
lar, and  has  numerous  parallel  folds  in  its  interior,  some  of 
which  are  continued  into  the  oesophagus  below.  The  gizzard 
is  much  reduced  in  size.  Probably  the  crop  is  not  a  mere 
storehouse,  but  a  compartment  where  at  least  trituration  of 
the  food  (chiefly  leaves)  takes  place. 

The  most  remarkable  feature  about  the  intestine '  is 
the  long  and  coiled  rectum,  a  feature  which  is  also  found 
among  the  struthious  birds  and  in  the  archaic  Cliauna. 
The  general  arrangement  of  the  coils  of  the  small  intestine  is 
intermediate  between  those  of  Pterocles  and  pigeons.  There 
is  in  the  middle  loop  a  faint  trace  of  the  spiral  found  in  the 
corresponding  loop  of  the  pigeon's  gut.  There  are  also  like- 
nesses to  the  form  of  gut  in  the  cuckoos.  The  cccca  are 
fairly  developed. 

The  peculiarities  of  the  muscular  system  mainly  concern 
the  hind  limb,  and  chiefly  characterise  the  amUens.     The 
muscle  formula  is  complete,    i.e.   ABXY+.     The  ambiens 
however,  is  subject  to  variation.     GAREOD  found  that  in  all 

1  P.  CHALMERS  MITCHELL,  '  A  Contribution  to  the  Anatomy  of  the  Hoatzin 
(Opisllwccnmis  cristatus),'  P.  Z.  S.  189(3,  p.  618. 


OPISTHOCOMI 


289 


of  six  knees  that  lie  examined  the  ambiens  was  present, 
though  small ;  but  in  only  one  knee  did  it  cross  the  knee  to 
be  inserted  in  the  usual  fashion  in  connection  with  the  flexors 
of  the  leg.  MITCHELL  dissected  this  muscle  in  two  specimens ; 
in  one  the  ambiens  \vas  completely  absent  above  the  knee, 
but  in  each  case  (see  fig.  53,  p.  96)  a  ligament  left  the  fibula, 
and,  dividing  into  three,  joined  each  of  the  three  perforated 
flexors  in  the  way  in 
which,  as  has  been 
already  described,  it  oc- 
curs in  birds  which  have 
this  ambiens  rudiment. 
In  the  second  case  there 
was  an  ambiens  above 
the  knee,  but  it  became 
lost  upon  the  fascia  of 
the  knee,  and  not  con- 
nected with  the  ambiens 
rudiment  springing  from 
the  fibula,  which  was 
there  present.  So  in 
this  bird  there  are  many 
stages  in  the  reduction 
of  this  characteristic 
muscle,  which  is  clearly 
in  them  on  the  wane. 

It  is  apparently  the 
rule  among  birds  for 
there  to  be  a  viiiculum 

between  the  two  superficial  flexors  of  digit  III.  This  slip 
is  wanting  in  Opisthocomus,  as  it  is,  according  to  MITCHELL, 
in  Asia  otus  and  Rhytidiceros  plicatns.  The  deep  flexor 
tendons  are  connected  by  a  strong  viiiculum. 

The  syrinx  has  been  described  by  GAEEOD  and  myself. 
The  accompanying  figure  is  from  GAREOD'S  paper.  The 
last  few  rings  of  the  trachea  are  solidified  into  a  tracheal  box, 
and  the  intrinsic  muscles  do  not  reach  this  box,  being  only 
continued  011  to  it  by  a  ligarnentous  continuation.  There  is 

u 


FIG.  142.  —  SYRINX  OF  Opisthocomus. 
VIEW.     (AFTER  GARROD.) 


FRONT 


290         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

some  variation  in  the  number  of  rings  which  coalesce  to  form 
the  box,  while  the  fibrous  continuation  of  the  intrinsic  muscles 
may  reach  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring.  This  muscle  is 
evidently  decaying  in  Opisthocomus. 


GALLI ' 

Definition. — Quintocubital  birds  with,  an  aftershaft.  Muscles  of  leg 
generally  ABXY  +  .  Expansor  secundariorum  present.  Entepi- 
condylo-ulnaris  present.  Caeca  large  ;  a  crop  present.  Skull 
schizognathous,  holorhinal,  with  sessile  basipterygoid  processes. 
Palatines  without  internal  lamina. 

This  very  large  group  of  birds,  universal  in  range,  shows 
a  considerable  amount  of  structural  variation. 

The  oil  gland  is  generally  tufted ; '-'  but  it  is  nude  in  the 
Megapodes  and  absent  altogether  in  Argus. 

The  pterylosis  of  the  Galli  is,  according  to  NITZSCH, 
singularly  uniform.  He  figures  Gallus  bankiva,  Pavo 
cristatus,  and  Meleagris  gallo-pavo,  describing  also  a  few 
other  types.  There  are  lateral  neck  spaces  in  all ;  the  dorsal 
tract  is  single  in  Gallus,  widening  out  on  the  back ;  in  the 
peacock  it  widens  out  in  a  more  pronounced  fashion  and 
further  back  than  in  Gallus.  In  the  turkey  there  is  a 
narrow  space  in  it  between  the  shoulder  blades. 

The  ventral  tract  divides  early  upon  the  neck,  and  each 
tract  gives  off  on  the  breast  a  wider,  denser  outer  branch  ; 
the  two  median  tracts  then  continue  nearly  to  the  cloaca, 
where  they  unite. 

InPerdix  and  Tetrao  there  is  a  dorsal  space,  as  in  Meleagris. 

Among  the  Cracidse  there  may  or  may  not  be  a  space  in 
the  dorsal  tract. 

The  pectoral  muscles  of  gallinaceous  birds,  like  those  of 
the  tinamous,  meet  over  the  keel  of  the  sternum  ;  this  is  at 
least  the  case  with  Euplocamus  Vieilloti  and  some  others. 

1  H.  SEEBOHM,  '  An  Attempt  to  Diagnose  the  Sub-Orders  of  the  Great  Galli- 
naceo-Gralline  Group  of  Birds  by  the  Aid  of  Osteological  Characters  alone,'  Ibis, 
1888,  p.  415. 

2  Callipepla  calif  arnica  has  a  small  tuft ;  in  C.  squamata  I  have  observed 
both  the  complete  absence  of  a  tuft  and  the  presence  of  a  very  small  one. 


GALLI  l'91 

The  deltoid  may  or  may  not  possess  a  special  tendinous 
slip  from  the  scapula.  This  slip  is  absent  in  Mitua  tomentosa, 
Excalfactoria  cliitiensis,  and  Callipepla,  but  present  in 
Ortalis  alhiri'ntris,  Crax  Sclatcri,  C.  Daubeiitoni,  Crosso- 
ptiloii  mantchuricum.  It  is  evidently,  therefore,  not  of  great 
use  in  classifying  the  group. 

The  biceps  slip  is  generally  present,  but  absent  in 
Ortalis  albiventris,  Crax,  Mitua  ;  it  is  present  in.  Megapodius 
and  Megacephalon',1  absent  in  Talegalla,  Niiiniifa,  and 
Mi'leagris.  The  same  remark  may,  therefore,  be  made  about 
this  muscle.  The  humeral  head  of  the  anconcBus  is  not 
always  present. 

The  tensor  patagii  brevis  of  gallinaceous  birds  has  a 
thin,  wide,  diffused  tendon,  as  in  the  tinamous ;  there  is  no 
patagial  fan. 

The  entepicondylo-ulnaris  is  another  muscle  which  they 
share  with  the  last-mentioned  group. 

The  expansor  secundariorum  is  a  muscle  which  appears 
to  be  invariably  present  among  the  Galli,  but  to  have  vary- 
ing relations  at  its  scapular  insertion. 

'In  the  majority  of  the  gallinaceous  birds,' wrote  Pro- 
fessor GARROD,  '  the  expansor  secundariorum,  with  the  normal 
origin  from  the  secondary  quills,  has  a  different  method  of 
insertion,  which  has  led  M.  A.  MILNE-EDWARDS  to  describe 
the  muscle  in  the  common  fowl  as  a  part  of  the  coraco- 
braclnalis  (brevis)  in  his  superb  wrork  on  fossil  birds. 

'  In  the  genera  Tetrao,  Francolinus,  Rollulus,  Phasianus, 
Enplocaiiius,  Gall  us,  Ceriornis,  and  Pavo,  the  muscle,  instead 
of  being  inserted  into  the  scapulo-sternal  fibrous  band,  above 
referred  to,  after  blending  to  a  certain  extent  with  the  axillary 
margin  of  the  teres,  ceases  by  becoming  fixed  to  a  fibrous 
intersection  about  one-third  down  the  coraco-brachialis 
brevis  muscle. 

'In  Francolinus  Clappertoni  from  among  the  francolins, 
Coturnix,  Odontophorus,  Ortijx,  Eupsychortijx,  and  Niunida, 
the  tendon  does  not  go  so  far  as  the  short  coraco-brachialis, 
but  ends  either  by  simply  joining  the  axillary  margin  of  the 

1  Absent,  according  to  Ft'-RBRiNGEB. 

u  2 


292         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

teres  or  by  at  the  same  time  sending  a  tendinous  slip 
behind  it  to  the  scapula.  In  Arc/us  gi.gaiiteus  the  tendon, 
running  from  the  elbow,  turns  round  the  axillary  border  of 
the  teres  to  end  by  joining  a  triangular  muscular  fasciculus, 
attached  by  its  base  to  the  upper  portion  of  the  thoracic 
surface,  which  appears  to  be  nothing  but  a  differentiatioii-off 
of  the  upper  portion  of  the  last-named  muscle.  In  the 
Crttcidff  this  insertion  into  the  scapula  is  also  found,  but  it 
is  tendinous,  like  the  upper  element  of  the  thoracic  band 
above  described  in  the  storks  and  Chauna  ;  and  in  them 
there  is  also  a  second  tendinous  slip  from  the  axillary  margin 
of  the  coraco-brachialis  longus  (not  the  brevis) .  Iri  the  Mega- 
podidse  also  the  attachment  to  the  coraco-brachialis  brevis  is 
wanting,  the  tendon  ending  either  by  blending  with  the  teres 
margin  or  running  on  to  the  scapula.' 

The  glutceus  primus  is  a  large  muscle  covering  the 
biceps.  Gliitff'its  V.  appears  to  be  alwa}Ts  present,  but  is 
sometimes  (Tliaumalea  picta)  quite  tendinous.1 

Most  gallinaceous  birds  have  the  complete  muscle  formula 
ABXY  + .  The  femoro-caudal,  however,  varies  in  size, 
and  is  quite  absent  in  Pavo  and  Meleagris.  It  is  very 
slender  in  Crax  and  Ortalis.'2 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  belong  to  type  I.,  and  are  illus- 
trated in  fig.  54  (p.  100). 

There  are  two  carotids  in  all  but  the  Megapodes,  where 
the  left  only  is  present.  A  gall  bladder  is  present. 

Some  intestinal  measurements  are  given  on  p.  293. 

The  trachea  has  in  a  few  gallinaceous  birds  two  pairs  of 
extrinsic  muscles,  thus  resembling,  it  will  be  observed,  the 
Anseres  and  Palamedeae. 

Thus  in  Crax  Daubentoni,  besides  the  usual  sterno-trache- 
ales,  which  arise  in  the  ordinary  way  from  the  costal  processes, 
there  are  a  pair  of  cleido-tracheales,  springing  from  the 

1  For  the  tail  muscles  of  the  peacock  see  HEMMING.  Proc.  Linn.  Soc.  1844, 
p.  212. 

2  GAEROD  has  figured   (in  MS.)  an ''abnormal   Gallus  domesticus   with   a 
peculiar  additional  muscle  springing  by  tendinous  slips  from  femur,  femoro- 
caudal,  accessory  ditto,  and  semi  ten  dinosus,  and  running  to  gastrocnemius.1 
It  was  the  same  on  both  sides. 


GAL  LI 


293 


Name  of  Bird 

Small  Iritest. 

Large  Intrst. 

i  ii'oa 

Inches 

Inches 

Inches 

I'avo  cristatus       ..... 

56 

4 

'.I 

„     nigripennis  ..... 

50 

4 

8  and  9 

)»                                »                              ..... 

89 

3-5 

6-5 

„     muticus        ... 

44 

3 

9 

,,     spicifer         .... 

46   ,- 

,   3-5 

7-5 

Caccabis  cliukar  ..... 

g 

0 

4-5 

Argus  giganteus    ..... 

70  to  84 

5 

5-5  to  7-5 

»i             >*           ..... 

66 

4-5 

6-5 

Ithaginis  Geoffroyi        .... 

31    ,— 

—  ,  3-5 

7-5 

Polyplectron  chinquis  .... 

2 

7 

3-5 

t?         ,,            bicalcaratum    . 

37 

4 

3-75 

Rollulus  coronatus        .... 

25 

2-5 

3 

Arboricola  torqueola     .... 

37 

3 

5-25 

Coturnix  communis       .... 

2-5 

Ortyx  virginianus          .... 

g 

2 

4 

„      cristatus      ..... 

22 

2-5 

3 

„      Gambelii     ..... 

18 

3 

4 

Odontophorus  dentatus 

28 

3-5 

3-5 

Perdix  cinerea       

, 

Phasianus  versicolor     .... 

4 

3 

5-75 

Thaumalea  Amhersti'se 

46 

3 

5 

Euplocamus  Swinhoii  .... 

53 

3-5 

7 

„           erythrophthalraus     . 

30 

3 

6 

„            Vieilloti    .... 

66 

3-5 

7 

„           nycthemerus     . 

56 

4 

7 

,,            cristatus   .... 

42 

3 

5-5 

,,           albo-cristatus   . 

42 

3 

8 

„           Anderson! 

34 

3-5 

6 

„            nobilis       .... 

47 

3-5 

5 

Ceriornis  Temmincki    .... 

64 

3-5 

8 

<?      ,,         satyra    ..... 

59 

3-5 

8 

Lophophorus  impeyanus 

61 

5 

6-5 

Crossoptilon  inantchuricum 

39 

4 

10-5 

Lobiphasianus  Bulweri 

54 

4 

(I 

Gallus  bankiva     ..... 

61 

5 

6-25 

„       Sonnerati  

35 

2-5 

4 

Numida  meleagris         .... 

3 

5 

,,        ptilorhyncha   .... 

29 

3 

5-25 

,,       cristata  ..... 

33    _ 

—  ,  3 

6 

,,       Edouardi         .... 

3 

4 

5-5 

„        vulturina         .... 

39 

4 

9  and  10 

Tetrao  urogallus  

78 

8 

30-5 

„      tetnx          

59 

6 

2-75 

,,      phasianellus      .... 

16 

„      cupido        

48 

6 

17 

Meleagris  ocellata 

66 

5-5 

13-5 

Francolinus  afer  

31 

--  ,  2 

6 

,.           gularis       .... 

3 

D 

4 

Crax  globicera       

126 

4(2) 

7  and  8 

„     Sclateri         

85 

4 

4-5 

„     Daubentoni  ..... 

104 

4 

6-5 

,,     Alberti          

118 

4 

6 

„     globulosa      ..... 

121 

-   5 

4-r> 

Mitua  tuberosa     ..... 

12 

3 

6-5 

,,      tomentosa  ..... 

1)0 

4 

r>  f) 

Penelope  cristata           .... 

38 

2-5 

J 

294         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


Name  of  Bird 


Small  Iiitest.   .  Large  Intc-r.  Cajca 


Penelope  cujubi    . 

,,         cujubi    . 

„         pileata  . 

,,  jacucaca 
Pipile  jacutinga  . 
,,  cumanensis 
Aburria  carunculata 
Ortalis  albiventris 
Talegalla  Lathami 
Megacephalon  maleo 


1 

Inches 

Inches 

Inches 

48 

3 

3 

29 

2-5 

2-5 

36 

s  

3 

3-5 

42 

2-75 

51 



4 

4 

56 

4 

40 

i  

•>  , 

2-25 

4 

24 

2-5 

72 

5 

51 

5-5 

anterior  end  of  the  sternum  and  from  fibrous  septum  between 
it  and  the  pessular  process  ;  these  muscles  run  up  the  sides 
of  the  trachea,  reaching  further  than  the  sterno-tracheales. 

Where  the  trachea  is  convoluted  it  sometimes  happens 
that  the  extrinsic  muscles  are  quite  abnormal  in  their  attach- 
ments ;  thus  in  the  males  of  Penelope  pileata  and  Ortalis 
albiventris  the  muscles  in  question  do  not  enter  the  thoracic 


FIG.  143. — SYHINX  OF  Pctro  spicifer. 
FRONT  VIEW.     (AFTER  GARROD.) 


FIG.  144. — SYHINX  OF  SAME.     BACK 
VIEW.     (AFTER  GARROD. 


cavity,  but  pass  close  to  the  carina  sterni  and  are  inserted 
at  the  very  end  of  the  sternum. 

The  syrinx  of  gallinaceous  birds  has  been  chiefly  studied 
by  GAEEOD.'     From  his  paper  the  following  account  of  this 


1   '  On  the  Conformation  of  the  Thoracic  Extremity  of  the  Trachea  in  the 
Class  Aves,  Pt.  1,  The  Galling,'  P.  Z.  S.  1879,  p.  354. 


GALL1 


295 


organ  has  been  mainly  drawn.  The  simplest  form  of  the 
syrinx  is  seen  in  the  peacock  (fig.  143),  where  the  modification 
of  rings  at  the  bifurcation  is  of  the  slightest.  The  last  two 
tracheal  rings  are  partly  fused  behind.  The  accompanying 
series  of  illustrations  (figs. 143-147)  show  some  of  the  princi- 
pal forms  of  syrinx  among  the  Alectoropodes,  in  which  it  will 


FIG.  145. — SYHIXX  OF  Callipepla  califor- 
nica.     FRONT  VIEW.     (AFTER  GAHKOD.) 


FIG.  146.-  SYIUNX  OF  SAME.     BACK 
VIEW.     (AFTER  GARROD.) 


be  noticed  that  intrinsic  muscles  are  but  occasionally  present. 
When  present  they  do  not  descend  to  the  bronchi,  but  cease 
upon  the  trachea  some  way  in  front  of  the  bifurcation.  The 
most  remarkable  modification  of  the  intrinsic  muscles  is  in 
Callipepla  calif  or  nica  (figs.  145,  146),  where  the  muscles 
descend  the  trachea  posteriorly,  and  are  inserted  on  to  the 
bronchidesrnus.  This  state  of  affairs  is  not  unlike  what  is 
found,  and  will  be  described  (see  belowr),  in  the  condor.  It  is 
uncertain  whether  these  muscles  may  be  not  more  accurately 


296 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


referred  to  the  cleido-tracheal  extrinsic  pair  (see  below).  A 
very  singular  syrinx  is  that  of  the  male  Tetrao  tetrix  (fig.  147). 
On  each  side  of  the  trachea  at  the  lower  end  is  an  '  immense 
irregular  tumefaction,  connected  with  its  fellow  by  a  bridge 
of  fatty  tissue.'  It  appears  to  be  mucous  in  its  chemical 
nature  ;  but  it  may  possibly  have  some  relation  to  the  tracheal 


i.'t  vh\ 


FIG.  147.—  SYEINX  OF  MALE  Tetrao  tetrix.     FRONT  VIEW. 
(AFTER  GARROD.) 

box  of  the  male  ducks,  and  be  thus  another  of  those  many 
unexpected  resemblances  between  the  two  groups. 

The  Cracidse  (fig.  148)  generally  possess  the  intrinsic  mus- 
cles, which  are,  however,  short,  as  in  the  other  Galli.  The 
syrinx  itself  has  no  salient  characters  by  which  it  may  be 
distinguished  from  the  Alectoropodes. 

GARROD  l  has  also  described  and  figured  (fig.  150)  the 
syrinx  of  the  megapode  Megacephalon  maleo.  It  is  rather 

1  '  On  the  Anatomy  of  the  Maleo,'  P.  Z.  S.  1878,  p.  629. 


GALL1 


:>97 


peculiar  in  form,  but  has  a  pair  of  intrinsic  muscles,  which 
reach  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring  ;  in  this  point  the  syrinx 
is  more  primitive  than  that  of  other  Galli. 


FIG.  148.— SYRINX  OF  Abiirria  carnii        FIG.  149.— SYRINX  OF  SAME.      BACK 
culata.  FRONT  VIEW.  (AFTER  GARROD.)  VIEW.     (AFTER  GARROD.) 

The    skull    in    gallinaceous    birds    is    in   many   respects 
remarkably  .duck-like.1     The  basipterygoid  processes — a  little, 


FIG.  150. —  SYBINX  OF  Mcgaceplialon  malm.     A.  FRONT  VIEW. 
B.  BACK  VIEW.     (AFTER  GARROD.) 

but  not  much,  more  pronounced  in  the  Megapodes — are  oval 
sessile  structures,  with  which  again,  as  in  the  ducks,  the  ptery- 

1  As  pointed  out  by  PARKER. 


298         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

golds  articulate  by  their  anterior  ends.  The  palatines  too  are 
devoid  of  an  internal  lamina,  and  the  angle  of  the  mandible  is 
recurved  and  produced  ;  it  is  enormous,  extended  upwards,  in 
Tetrao. 

In  the  typical  gallinaceous  birds  the  maxillo-palatines 
are  generally  small  or  even  obsolescent.  In  Gallus  bankiva  ' 
they  are  triangular  plates  of  fair  size ;  in  Tetrao  urogalhis 
(fig.  152)  they  are  small,  narrow,  backwardly  projecting 
plates,  not  quite  so  long  and  thin,  and  not  so  curved  as  those 
of  TalegaUa.  In  Ptilopacliys  they  are  somewhat  inter- 
mediate ;  in  Callipepla  calif ornica  they  are  still  longer.  In 
Numida  and  Meleagris  they  are  much  the  same. 

The  lacrymals  are  not  large,2  and  have  a  feeble  or  aborted 
descending  process.  It  is  very  general  for  the  post-frontal 
and  zygomatic  processes  to  fuse  and  enclose  a  more  or  less 
triangular  foramen,  and  sometimes,  as  in  Tetrao*  and  Crosso- 
ptilon,,  the  zygomatic  bar  extends  forwards  a  considerable 
way  in  front  of  its  junction  with  the  other. 

The  interorbital  septum  is  sometimes  (Coturnix,  Calli- 
pepla, Pcrdicula,  Ptilopacliys)  considerably  fenestrated. 

The  vomer,  in  gallinaceous  birds  generally,  is  thin  and 
splint-like. 

As  to  the  Megapodes,  there  are  some  differences  in  the 
skulls  of  the' two  genera  TalegaUa  4  and  Megacephalon.  The 
latter  has  the  well-known  hammer-shaped  projection  of  the 
back  part  of  the  skull.  In  both  genera  the  palatines  are 
slender,  and  there  is  some  ossification  of  the  nasal  septum. 
The  interorbital  septum  is  not  much  fenestrate,  but  it  is 
deficient  in  front.  In  Talegallaihe  maxillo-palatines  are  thin 

1  SIIUFELDT,  '  Observations  upon  the  Morphology  of  Callus  bankiima,'  &c. 
Journ.  Comp.  JlZt'rf.  Surg.  ix.  p.  343. 

-  WOOD-MASOX  has  described  (Ann.  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.  xvi.  1875,  p.  145)  supra- 
orbital  bones  in  certain  partridges.  Cf.  as  to  this  point  Tinamous,  Psopliia, 
and  Meniira. 

3  SHUFELDT,  '  Osteology  of  the  N.  American  Tetraonidse,'  Bull.  U.  S.  Geol. 
<S'/MT.  vi.  p.  309. 

4  The  skeleton  of  this  bird  is  described  by  PAKKEB,   '  On  the  Osteology  of 
Gallinaceous  Birds  and  Tinamous,'  Tr.  Z.    ,S'.    v.    p.  100.     See    also     W.    K. 
PAKKEB,  '  On  the  Structure   and   Development    of  the  Skull  of  the  Common 
Fowl,'  Phil.  Trans.  1870,  p.  15(J. 


GALL  I  L>!)9 

plates,  ending  in  a  curved  point  very  much  like  those  of  some 
passerines  (e.g.  Pteroptochus).  Each  is  vacuolate  posteriorly 
in  Talegalla.  They  do  not  nearly  come  into  contact  in  the 
middle  line.  In  Megacephalon  these  bones  are  spongy  plates, 
which  do  nearly  come  into  contact ;  the  palatines,  slender  in 
both  birds,  are  more  bowed  in  Talegalla,  and  thus  enclose  a 
wider  interpalatine  vacuity.  The  lacrymals  of  Talegalla  are 
small  and  ankylosed  to  the  skull  wall  ;  the  ectethmoids  are  thin 
plates.  A  curious  difference  in  the  skulls  of  these  two  birds 
concerns  the  nasals  and  premaxillaries.  In  MegacepJialon 
there  is  nothing  worthy  of  special  remark  except  the  tumid 
outer  part  of  the  nasals  ;  in  Talegalla  the  premaxillary  pro- 
cess of  the  nasals  approach  each  other  in  the  middle  line, 
and  cut  the  nasal  process  of  the  premaxillary  into  two,  an 
anterior  and  a  posterior  portion. 

In  the  Cracidas  the  maxillo-palatines  are  largish  plates, 
concave  inferiorly  and  convex  above,  which  in  Crax  globicera 
actually  come  in  contact  for  a  short  space,  and  fuse  with 
each  other  and  writh  the  median  septum.  In  Pauxi  galeata 
this  fusion  (perhaps  owing  to  the  great  casque)  is  even  better 
marked.  There  is  nearly  a  fusion  in  Aburria  caruncidata  ; 
in  Ortalis  albivcutris,  on  the  other  hand,  the  maxillo- 
palatines  are  well  apart. 

In  Ortalis  and  Aburria  there  is  no  ossification  of  the 
nasal  septum  ;  in  Crax  there  is  a  median  piece,  which  expands 
below  to  become  attached  to  (C.  S  elate  ri)  or  fused  with 
(C.  globicera)  the  maxillo-palatines.  In  Pauxi  galeata  the 
nasal  septum,  as  might  be  expected,  is  quite  complete  and 
very  strong. 

There  are  also  in  this  group  of  gallinaceous  birds,  a  series 
of  stages  in  the  development  of  the  zygoma  and  the  post- 
orbital  processes.  In  Ortalis  they  are  short  ;  in  Abiu-ria 
longer  and  convergent  ;  in  Crax  Sclatcri  and  Pauxi  galeata 
they  meet  distally,  and  enclose  a  triangular  foramen  ;  finally 
in  Crax  globicera  they  are  completely  fused  throughout,  and 
form  a  stout  triangular  process. 

The  lacrymals  in  this  family  are  large,  with  a  large 
descending  process.  The  ectethmoids  are  but  slightly  ossified. 


300 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


The  interorbital  septum  is  more  fenestrate  than  in  the  Mega- 
podes,  but  still  not  markedly  so. 

The  Galli  have  sixteen  cervical  vertebrae.  In  Gallus 
bankica  the  catapophyses  of  vertebra  10  nearly  enclose  a 
canal ;  on  the  next  vertebra  the  two  processes  have  almost 
fused  into  a  single  one,  the  two  processes  being  closely 


Pmx. 


FIG.  151. — SKULL  OF  Cra.v  globiccra.     SIDE  VIEW.     (AFTER  HUXLEY.) 
/'/«.?-,  premaxilla  ;  /•>',  nasal  septum. 

soldered  together  for  their  whole  length,  and  not,  as  is  so  often 
the  case,  divergent  at  the  end.  All  the  remaining  cervical 
vertebrae  have  strong  median  haemapophyses,  those  of  the 
sixteenth  being  fused  with  the  two  following  at  their  ex- 
tremities (cf.  Musophaga,  p.  285).  The  last  cervical  vertebra 
and  the  three  anterior  dorsals  are  themselves  fused. 

It  will  be  simpler  to  compare  the  vertebrae  of  Gallus 
with  those  of  some  other  Galli  by  means  of  the  following 
table : — 


First  Haam- 

Last  Hcem. 

Heem.  fused 

Vertebrae 

apoph. 

fused 

Crossoptilon  mantcliuricum 

Cll                D4 

C16-D3 

C16-D3 

Numida  cristata 

Cll                D3 

C16-D2 

C16-D3 

Talegalla  Lathami 

Cll                D2 

C16-D2 

C16-D3 

Meqacephalon  malco  .         .           CIO  '              Dl 

C15-D1 

C15-D2 

Callipcpla  calif  arnica         .           C13                 D2             C16-D2 

C16-D3 

Ptilopachys  v  entrails           .           Cll                 D3              D1-D3 

D1-D3 

Aburrla  carunculata  .         .           Cl'2                D3              D1-D2 

C16-D3 

Bifid  at  end. 


GALLI 


301 


It  is  evident  that  not  much  of  classificatory  importance 
is  deducible  from  the  above  facts.  HUXLEY  has  used  with 
more  success  the  remaining  parts  of  the  skeleton. 

The  gallinaceous  birds  are  divided  by  HUXLEY  into  two 
main  subdivisions,  Peristeropodes  and  Alectoropodes. 


FIG.  152. —  SKULL  OF  Tctrao 
urocjallus.  VENTRAL  VIEW. 
(AFTER  HUXLEY.) 

il.rp,  maxillo-palatines  ;  Vo,  vomer  ; 
MX,  maxilla  ;  I'l ',  palatines  :  1't  ptery- 
Koi'l-  ;  +,  kisiijterygoid  facets  ;fmf, 
premaxilla. 


p.t.o 


l-X 


m.x 


FIG.  153. —  STERNUM  OF  Crax 
globicera  (AFTER  HUXLEY). 
LETTERS  AS  IN  FIG.  72,  p. 

128,  WITH  WHICH  THIS  FlGURE 
IS    TO    BE    COMPAKEH. 


The  former  contains  the  Cracidae  and  Megapodidae,  the 
latter  the  remaining  families. 

The  Peristeropodes  may  be  thus  denned  :— 

1.  Sternum  with  not  very  deep  inner  notches  (fig.  153)  and 
with  short  obtuse  costal  processes,  the  anterior  edge  of  which 
is  at  right  angles  to  the  long  axis  of  sternum. 

2.  Hallux  on  a  level  with  other  toes. 


302         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

The  Alectoropodes  in  this  way  :— 

1.  Sternum  with  very  deep  inner  notches  (fig.  72,  p.  128)', 
and  with  long  costal  processes,  whose  long  axis  corresponds 
with  the  long  axis  of  sternum. 

2.  Hallux  attached  above  the  level  of  other  toes. 

The  former  group,  which  undoubtedly,  so  far  as  the  above 
characters  are  concerned,  is  the  more  primitive,  consists  of 
the  curassows  and  the  Megapodes,  limited  respectively  to 
•Central  and  South  America  and  to  Australia  and  some  of  the 
Indian  islands. 

These  two  families  are  distinguished  by  HUXLEY  mainly 
on  account  of  the  differing  form  of  the  hallux  ;  but  there 
are  other  points  of  dissimilarity,  not  known  at  the  time  when 
he  wrote.  The  two  families  may  be  thus  differentiated  :- 

Cracidffi  Megapodidse 

1.  Hind  toe  not  so  long  in          Hind   toe   longer    in    pro- 

proportion  to  rest.  portion. 

2.  Oil  gland  feathered.  Oil  gland  nude. 

3.  Biceps        slip         never         Biceps      slip       sometimes 

present.  present. 

4.  Two  carotids.  Left  carotid  only. 

5.  Trachea  generally  coiled.          Trachea  always  straight. 

The  Alectoropodes  may  be  readily  divided  into  three 
groups,  which  may  be  thus  differentiated  :- 

The  NUMIDIDJE. 

1.  Second  metacarpal  without  backward  process. 

2.  Costal  processes  outwardly  inclined  (thus  forming 

a   transition  between   Alectoropodes    and    Peris- 
teropodes). 

The  remaining  families,  which  will  be  distinguished  from 
each  other  immediately,  agree  with  each  in  differing  from 
the  Numididse  in  both  the  points  mentioned. 

MELEAGEID^E. 

1.  Postacetabulum  longer  than  preacetabulum. 

2.  Postacetabulum  longer  than  broad. 


GALLI  303 

3.  Furcula  weak  and  straight  (viewed  laterally),  with 
straight  rod-like  hypocleidium. 

In  the  remaining  gallinaceous  birds  the  preacetabular 
length  is  greater  than  the  postacetabular  (equal  in  Tetrao 
eiipido)  ;  the  postacetabular  area  is  broader  than  it  is  long  ; 
the  contour  of  the  furcula  is  curved,  with  an  expanded 
hypocleidium.  The  series  of  birds  which  have  these  cha- 
racters may  be  divided  into  the  galline  and  the  tetraonine 
type. 

In  the  former  the  postacetabular  region  is  only  moderately 
broad  ;  the  hypocleidium  is  oval  in  contour ;  the  tarso- 
metatarsus  is  more  than  half  as  long  as  the  tibia,  and  there 
are  a  number  of  smaller  osteological  marks. 

In  the  grouse-like  birds  the  postacetabular  region  is  very 
broad ;  the  hypocleidium  has  a  triangular  form,  and  the 
tarso-metatarsus  is  not  half  as  long  as  the  tibia.  I  do  not 
give  HUXLEY'S  characters  in  detail,  since  he  has  pointed  out 
that  the  two  series  meet  among  the  partridges  and  quails,  and 
cannot  thus  be  sharply  marked  off. 

The  Alectoropodes  have  a  range  which  is  related  to  their 
anatomical  differences,  as  have  the  Peristeropodes.  The 
Meleagridse  are  confined  to  America,  the  Numidida?  to 
Africa,  the  Phasiaiiida3  to  the  Oriental  region  just  encroach- 
ing upon  the  Palaearctic,  while  the  Tetraonidse  are  Palsearctic 
and  Nearctic. 

The  Galli  seem  to  be  undoubtedly  an  ancient  group  of 
birds,  a  view  which  is  upheld  by  their  points  of  likeness  to 
many  diverse  groups. 

That  they  are  an  ancient  group  is  also  shown  by  their 
quintocubitalism,  the  primitive  character  of  the  gut  con- 
volutions, the  often  complete  muscle  formula,  and  the 
existence  of  basipterygoid  processes.  The  existence  of  these 
structures  has  led  to  their  comparison  with  other  groups  of 
birds.  Less  weight,  however,  appears  to  be  due  to  these 
more  general  points  of  resemblance  than  to  other  slighter 
but  equally  constant  similarities.  The  existence  of  the 
entepicondylo-ulnaris  muscle  is  an  example  to  the  point. 


304         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

The  Galli  share  this  muscle  with  the  Tinami  only ;  and  no 
one  will  doubt  on  other  grounds  that  the  gallinaceous  hirds 
and  tinamous  are  distinctly  related.  It  is,  however,  with 
the  Anseres  that  the  greatest  number  of  special  resemblances 
of  this  character  exist.  These  have  been  admitted  by 
HUXLEY  and  PARKEE  ;  and  more  recently,  in  one  of  his 
alternative  schemes,  SEEBOHM  united  the  two  groups.  In 
these  two  groups  the  palatines  have  the  peculiar  character 
of  wanting  the  internal  lamina,  which  is  at  most  indicated 
by  a  slight  ridge  ;  in  both  of  them  the  basipterygoid  pro- 
cesses can  hardly  be  described  in  those  words,  as  they  are 
but  oval  facets  for  the  articulation  of  the  pterygoids.  The 
two  pairs  of  extrinsic  muscles  of  the  syrinx  are  one  of  the 
strong  reasons  for  uniting  the  Anseres  and  the  Palamedese,  and 
we  have  among  the  Galli  forms  in  which  there  are  the  same 
extra  pair  of  muscles  present.  The  general  habit  of  a 
gallinaceous  bird  is,  it  is  true,  somewhat  remote  from  that 
of  an  anserine  bird  ;  but  Palamedea  might  with  truth  be 
described  as  a  goose-like  bird  with  external  likeness  to  a 
curassow,  or  as  a  gallinaceous  bird  which  had  put  on  the 
characters  of  the  Anseres.  Its  likeness  to  both  is  considered 
on  another  page. 

The  existing  genera  Tetrao,  Lagopus,  and  Francolmus  are 
known  from  Pleistocene  deposits  in  countries  which  they  at 
present  inhabit,  and  the  species  from  which  these  few  remains 
have  been  described  are  existing  species.  Similarly  Coturnix 
Nova  Zcalaiiilin'  and  Talegalla  Lathami  have  been  met  with  in 
the  Pleistocene  of  Australia  and  New  Zealand,  both  of  them  being 
species  now  living  in  the  localities  whence  their  fossil  remains 
have  been  extracted.  Phasianus  is  represented  by  a  number  of 
extinct  species  from  Europe  as  old  as  the  Miocene.  Three  totally 
extinct  genera  described  by  MILNE-EDWAKDS  are  PalcEortyx, 
Palceoperdix,  and  Taoperdix.  These  are  all  Eocene  or  Miocene 
and  European.  Taoperdix  presents  affinities  to  Mclcagris  and 
Nuinidit. 


COLUMB.E  305 


COLUMB.E ' 

Definition. — Aftershaft  absent.  Oil  gland  absent  or  nude.  Crop 
present.  Caeca  nipples.  Syrinx  with,  asymmetrical  extrinsic 
muscles.  Of  the  leg  muscles  ABX  always  present  ;  deep  plantar 
tendons  of  type  I.  Biceps  slip  present  and  peculiar  in  form. 
Skull  schizognathous,  sshizorhmal.  Basipterygoid  processes 
present,  except  in  Didus. 

This  group  of  birds  contains  something  like  458  species, 
which  are  divided  into  sixty-eight  genera.  Pigeons  are  cos- 
mopolitan in  range,  and  show  a  considerable  amount  of 
structural  variation. 

The  absence  of  an  aftcrshaft  and  the  often  rudimentary 
condition  of  the  oil  gland  are  among  the  most  important 
variable  external  characteristics  of  the  pigeons.  The  latter 
is  never  feathered,  and  is  sometimes  totally  absent.  But  its 
presence  or  absence  cannot  be  made  use  of  as  a  fact  of  great 
systematic  importance ;  for  we  find  in  the  same  genus 
Ptilopus  two  species,  Pt.  coronulatiis  and  Pt.  superbus,  with 
a  minute  oil  gland,  and  two  others,  Pt.  assimilis  and  Pt. 
puella,  from  which  the  gland  has  entirely  disappeared. 

The  rcct rices  vary  in  number  from  12  (e.g.  Cohimbula) 
through  14  (e.g.  Phaps),  16  (Goura),  to  20  (Otidiphaps) . 
But  the  variations  do  not  invariably  coincide  with  the  limits 
of  genera.  Phaps  chalcoptera  has  16  rectrices,  P.  elegans 
only  14.  PJilogcenas  Stairi  has  12  rectrices,  P.  cruentata  14. 
There  are  other  examples.  Though  for  the  most  part 
aquincubital,  it  is  remarkable  to  find  in  Columbula  a  quinto- 
cubital  bird  (MITCHELL)  . 

I  have  by  me  a  careful  manuscript  account  of  ihepterylosis 
of  Didunculus  by  Mr.  FOEBES.  The  dorsal  tract  is  strong 
and  broad  upon  the  neck,  narrowing  a  little  below  ;  where 
it  narrows  it  becomes  stronger.  Below  the  shoulder  it  bifur- 
cates and  becomes  suddenly  weak  ;  below  this  point  the  whole 
dorsal  region  is  covered  with  a  weak  and  diffused  feathering, 
which  is  especially  weak  over  the  head  of  the  femur.  In  the 

1  C.  J.  TKMMIXCK,  Histoirc  Naturcllc  Gtntrale  des  Pigeons  et  ctcs  Gallimtcics. 
Amsterdam  et  Paris,  1813-1815. 

X 


306 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


middle  line  posteriorly  the  dorsal  tract  is  again  strongish. 
The  lumbar  region  is  also  strongly  feathered,  and  the  thigh  is 
covered  by  a  strong  tract  which  ends  very  abruptly  below. 

The  ventral  tract  is  much  weaker,  and  on  the  neck 
gradually  merges  into  the  lateral  space  which  extends  from 
a  short  way  below  the  head  to  the  shoulder.  Below  this  the 
ventral  tract  is  still  weaker,  and  does  not  bifurcate  until  the 
upper  end  of  the  carina  sterni.  The  median  apterion  is 
oblong  and  narrow,  and  reaches  the  cloacal  aperture.  In 
the  abdominal  region  the  two  tracts  get  stronger.  The 
pterylosis  of  Coluiriba  lima  as  figured  by  NITZSCH  hardly 


a 


FIG.  154. — HORIZONTAL  SECTIONS  OF  FIG.  155. — o,  GIZZARD  OF  Carpoplnnjn 
GIZZARDS  OF,  «,  Ptilopus  jcu/ibu,  latraiifi.  l>,  ONE  OF  HORNY  TUBER- 
b,  Trcron  calva  (AFTER  GARROD).  CLES  IN  SECTION.  (AFTER  GARROD.) 

differs,  and  is  typical  of  the  pigeons  in  general ;  there  is  no 
down. 

All  pigeons  have  a  well-developed  crop,  the  presence  of 
which  organ  is  presumably  related  to  their  fruit-  and  grain- 
eating  mode  of  life. 

In  Carpopliaga,  a  fruit-eating  pigeon,  the  gizzard  is  very 
weak  ;  but  in  other  pigeons  this  organ  is  very  strong,  its 
walls  being  even  ossified  in  Caloen as  tiicobarica.1  In  Ptilop//,* 
a  cross  section  of  the  gizzard  has  the  peculiar  form  shown 
in  the  accompanying  drawing,  where  it  is  compared  with  a 


1  YERREAUX  and  DBS  Mrns  describe  an  exaggeration  like  this  in  Plimnorhina 
goliatli,  where  also  the  tubercles  are  ossified  (Rev.  Mag.  Zool.  1&G'2,  p.  138). 
See  also  FLOWEK,  '  On  the  Structure  of  the  Gizzard  of  the  Nicobar  Pigeon,' 
P.  Z.  S.  1860,  p.  330. 


COLUMB/E 


307 


pigeon  showing  a  more  normal  state  of  affairs.  There  are 
four  muscular  pads  in  its  walls,  so  that  in  transverse  sections 
the  lumen  is  cruciform.  In  Ptilopus  coronulatus  the  lumen 
of  the  gizzard  is  not  regularly  cruciform,  like  Pt.  janibit, 
but  irregular  and  asterisk-shaped ;  so  with  Pt.  superbus. 
Chryscena  viridis  has  also  a  ptilopine  gizzard.  In  Carpo- 
phaga  paulina  the  transverse  section  shows  a  close  approach 
in  the  structure  of  its  gizzard  to  that  of  Ptilopus.  In  C. 
l(ttrans  (fig.  155)  the  gizzard  is  lined  with  extraordinary 
conical  horny  processes.1  The  right  lobe  of  the  liver  is 
larger  than  the  left,  and 
the  gall  bladder  may  be 
absent  or  present. 

'  In  the  Columba? 
which  I  have  examined 
(Cohuubce  of  several 
species  (fig.  156),  PJilu- 
goenas  cruen.tata),"  re- 
marks Mr.  MITCHELL, 
'  it  is  tempting  to  regard 
the  gut  as  a  simple  deri- 
vative of  the  type  seen 
in  Pterocles.  The  duo- 
denum is  longer  and 
narrower.  The  circular 
loop  is  enormously  ex- 

FIG.  Io6. — INTESTINES  OF  Cohtmoa  hvia 
pailded,     but     the    three  (AFTER  MITCHELL). 

subsidiary     loops    seen 

in  Pterocles  remain.  The  first  of  these  is  somewhat  shortened  ; 
the  second,  that  bearing  the  yolk-sac  vestige  at  its  end,  is 
enormously  lengthened  ;  the  mesentery  is  folded  along  the 
line  of  the  median  mesenteric  vessel,  so  that  the  two  limbs 
of  the  loop  are  brought  in  contact  with  each  other,  and, 
finally,  the  whole  folded  loop  is  rolled  into  a  rough  spiral. 
The  third  subsidiary  loop  of  the  circular  part  of  the  gut  has 

1  B.  GERMAIN,  '  N  ote  sur  la  Structure  du  Gesier  chez  le  Pigeon  Nicobar,'  Ann. 
Sci.  Nat.  (5),  iii.  p.  352 ;  GARROD,  '  Note  on  the  Gizzard  and  other  Organs  of 
Carpopliaga  latrans,'  P.  Z.  S.  1878,  p.  102. 


308         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

the  same  arrangement  and  veins  as  in  Pterocles  ;  but  the 
caeca  no  longer  run  along  it,  but  occur  as  very  short  stumps 
upon  the  rectum.' 

The  cfBca  are  small  and  nipple-like  ;  they  may  be  entirely 
absent.  In  Tympanistria  bicolor  I  found  one,  an  especially 
minute  one,  on  the  left  side. 

The  intestines  of  the  Columbse  are  very  short  and  volu- 
minous in  some  of  the  fruit-eating  forms,  moderately  long  in 
the  majority  of  forms,  and  extraordinarily  long  in  Didun- 
culus.  The  following  are  a  few  measurements  :— 

Ft.     I  IK.  Ft.       Ins. 

Carpophaga  cenea    .  1     6  Chryscena  viridis    .           1 

Chalcopkaps  chnjso-  Macropygia      lepto- 

clilora .         .         .18^  grammica    .         .  2  10£ 

Phlogcenas  Stairi    .  2    6  Peristera  Geoffroiji        10 


,, 


cruentata  2 


lanthoenas       Icuco- 
losma  .  3  11 


Columba  maculosa  .  2    8 

Geopelia  cuneata     .         8|  Goura  coronata       .  5  1 

,,         Jiiimilis      .16  ,,        Victor  ice       .  4  0 

Ptilopus  jambu         .  1    0  Phaps  clialclwptera  2  6 


,,          melanoce- 
phalus         .          .         9 
Ptilopus  coronulatics       6 


,,       clegans          .  1 
Didiinculus     K 

rostris  1     0 


In  Goura  Victoria  the  tensor  brevis  muscle  is  bordered 
on  the  patagial  side  for  the  last  half  af  its  course  by  a  strong 
tendon,  which  arises  from  the  pectoralis  muscle.  Below  this 
tendon  forms  the  outer  and  stronger  part  of  a  thin  and 
rather  wide  tendon,  in  which  the  muscle  itself  ends.  A 
wristward  slip  is  given  off,  but  there  is  no  patagial  fan.  The 
biceps  slip  arises  tendinously  from  the  biceps,  has  a  short 
muscular  belly,  and  ends  tendinously  upon  tensor  patagii 
longus  tendon. 

Goura  coronata  is  much  the  same,  but  the  biceps  slip  is 
(?  exceptionally)  digastric,  a  second  tendon  springing  from 
tensor  patagii  longus  muscle,  and  becoming  muscular  before 
it  joins  the  muscular  belly  derived  from  biceps  itself. 

In  other  pigeons — and  this  is   one  of  the  most  salient 


COLUMB.K  309 

features  of  the  group — the  tensor  brevis  muscle  is  often  very 
extensive— in  fact,  overlapping  the  extensors  of  the  fore  arm. 
This  is  the  case,  for  instance,  with  Geophaps  scripta,  where 
I  could  find  110  deltoid  beneath  it.  In  Ptilopus  and  Pliaps, 
on  the  other  hand,  a  good  deltoid  is  present,  and  though  mainly 
attached  to  the  humerus  is  also  at  its  extremity  inserted  on 
to  tendon  of  tensor  brevis.  This  latter  insertion  is  wanting 
in  many  pigeons  which  have  a  long  deltoid.  In  Erythrcenas 
the  deltoid  reaches  nearly  to  elbow.  There  is  very  often  a 
wristward  slip  from  tendon  of  tensor  patagii  brevis,  but  never, 
so  far  as  I  have  ascertained,  a  patagial  fan. 

The  biceps  slip  appears  to  be  alwrays  an  independent 
muscle,  arising,  as  described  above,  by  a  thin  tendon  from 
the  biceps,  and  it  frequently  has  a  second  tendon  of  origin, 
as  in  Goura  coronata.  This  is  the  ease,  for  example,  with 
Carpopliaga,  Didunculus,.  and  Phaps.  It  is  absent  in 
Erytlircenas. 

The  expansor  sccnndariorum  is  very  constantly  present  ; 
but  there  are  indications  that  it  is  on  the  wane  in  these  birds. 
In  Phlogoenas  cruentata  the  tendon  has  not  the  characteristic 
T-shape  that  it  has  in  other  pigeons,  but  blends  with  a  trian- 
gular fibrous  slip  arising  from  the  scapula  near  the  scapulo- 
coracoid  joint.  In  Carpophaga  paulina  there  is  much  the 
same  arrangement.  In  PhlogoKnas  Stair i  the  muscle  appears 
to  be  totally  absent. 

Of  the  two  latissimi  dorsi  muscles  the  posterior  is  some- 
times wanting  in  pigeons.1  HASWELL  2  first  directed  attention 
to  this  point,  which  was  denied  by  GADOWS  and  FORBES, 
but  reaffirmed  by  FURBRINGER.  According  to  the  last-men- 
tioned observer  its  occasional  absence  is  a  matter  of  individual 
variation. 

The  ancon,(Ens  has  a  tendinous  insertion  on  to  the 
humerus. 

1  And  also  (?  occasionally)  in  Ot:s,Plerodcs,  and  various  passerines,  according 

to  FulUiKINGEK. 

2  '  The  Myological  Characters  of  the  ColumbidaV  Proc.  Linn.  Soc.  N.  S.  W. 
iv.  1880,  p.  303  ;  '  Note  on  the  Anatomy  of  Two  Rare  Genera  of  Pigeons,'  ibid.. 
vii.  1883,  pp.  115,  397. 

3  In  his  memoir  upon  Pterocles,  quoted  below,  p.  315,  footnote. 


310         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


The  second  pectoral  is  inserted,  in  an  unusual  way,  on  to 
the  anterior  face  of  the  humerus,  and  not  on  to  the  pectoral 
ridge,  as  in  other  birds. 

In  the  hind  limb  nearly  all  pigeons  have  the  complete 
formula  ABXY,  the  ainbiens  being  sometimes  present  and 
sometimes  absent.  Only  in  Lopliolcemus  apparently  is  the 
accessory  femoro-caudal  absent. 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  are  gallinaceous,  either  blending 
or  with  a  vinculum.  In  Lopliolamus  au- 
tarcticus  and  Enjtliroenas  there  is  a  vinculum, 
and  also  a  special  slip  to  tendon  of  digit  II. 

Considering  the  variability  of  so  many 
muscles  and  organs  among  the  Columba3,  it 
is  remarkable  to  note  what  slight  variations 
there  are  in  that,  as  a  rule,  rather  variable 
organ,  the  syrinx.  The  accompanying  illus- 
tration will  serve  to  show  the  form  of  the 
syrinx  among  the  Columba3  ;  but  in  the 
species  illustrated  the  origin  of  the  sterno- 
tracheales  is  not  so  hi8hly  asymmetrical  as 


latrans  (AFTEK  is  sometimes  the  case  ;  they  occasionally 
arise  more  markedly  from  the  right  side  of  the 
trachea.  The  intrinsic  muscles  are  always  present,  and 
generally  attached,  as  shown  in  the  figure,  to  the  membrane 
between  the  penultimate  and  antepenultimate  tracheal  rings. 
They  are  sometimes  continued  a  little  further  by  ligamentous 
tissue.  The  last  three  tracheal  rings  are  united  by  median 
bony  or  cartilaginous  pieces.  Posteriorly  the  tracheal  rings 
are  weak,  or  even  defective  in  the  middle  line.  These  are 
the  general  characters  of  the  windpipe  and  syrinx  in  the 
Colmnbae.  A  few  of  the  genera  which  show  some  slight 
divergencies  may  now  be  mentioned.  In  Calcenas  nicobarica 
the  intrinsic  muscles  are  continued  by  ligament  as  far  as  the 
penultimate  tracheal  ring  ;  the  first  four  or  five  bronchial 
semi-rings  are  connected  posteriorly  by  a  cartilaginous  bar, 
which  borders  the  membrana  tympaniformis  and  is  continued 
up  as  far  as  the  sixth  tracheal  ring  from  the  end  of  the 
series. 


COLUMR<E  311 

In  Goura  there  is  no  union  posteriorly  between  succes- 
sive tracheal  rings,  and  the  last  two  or  three  are  quite  dis- 
continuous in  the  middle  line  posteriorly. 

In  Didunculus  also  the  last  few  tracheal  rings  do  not 
meet  in  the  middle  line  posteriorly. 

As  to  the  skull,  the  pigeons  are  schizognathous  birds  with 
a  slender  vomer  and  basipterygoid  processes,  absent  only  in 
Diclus.  They  are  also  schizorhinal,  but  Goura,  like  Cursorius, 
&c.,  among  the  Charadrii,  is  pseudo-holorhinal.  The  lacrymal 
fuses  below  with  the  ectethmoid,  and,  indeed,  forms  with  it 
a  nearly  solid  and  often  rather  massive  plate  of  bone.  In 
Goura,  at  any  rate,  the  descending  process  of  the  lacrymal 
is  perforated  in  front  by  a  largish  foramen,  as  in  the  Rhea. 
Some  pigeons  —  e.g.Lopholccmus  —  have  amedian  small  circular 
foramen  above  the  foramen  magnum  ;  in  Macropygia,  &c., 
this  becomes  a  notch  upon  the  upper  border  of  the  foramen 
magnum.  In  Goura  the  foramen  is  totally  absent. 

The  skull  of  Didundulus  is  exceptional.  The  basiptery- 
goid processes  are  very  large.  The  palatines,  instead  of 
widening  out  posteriorly,  are  narrow,  solid  bars  throughout 
their  whole  extent.  HUXLEY  states  that  the  internal  lamina 
of  these  bones  is  '  altogether  obsolete.'  I  find,  however,  in 
my  specimen  a  pair  of  small  downwardly  directed  hooks 
arising  from  where  the  palatines  come  into  contact  poste- 
riorly, which  I  take  to  be  the  homologues  of  these  structures. 
Owing  to  the  shortened  and  curved  bill  the  bony  nostrils  are 
much  reduced  in  extent.  There  is  no  supraoccipital  foramen. 
There  is,  as  in  gallinaceous  birds,  a  fusion  between  the  post- 
frontal  process  and  the  zygoma. 

There  are  15  cervical  vertebra  in  Goura.,  Carpophaga,  &c., 
14  in  Columba,  Phaps,  &c.  Vertebrae  15-17  appear  to  be  nearly 
always  ankylosed.1  The  atlas  is  notched  for  the  odontoid  pro- 
cess. The  hypapophyses  begin  in  Goura  upon  the  eleventh 
cervical  and  end  upon  the  first  dorsal.  Four  ribs  reach  the 
sternum  in  Goura  Victoria,  of  which  the  three  first  bear 
uncinate  processes.  Only  three  reach  the  sternum  in  some 


iili-  NEWTON  and  GADOW  (loc.  cit.  on  p.  314).     In  Lcucosarcia  picata  I 
found  four  fused,  and  in  Geotrygon  violacca  only  two. 


312 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


pigeons.  The  sternum  has  both  spina  externa  and  interna  ;  it 
has  two  pairs  of  notches  (Goitra),  or  one  pair  of  notches  and 
one  pair  of  foramina  (Phaps,  Carpophaga). 

The  furcula  is  U-shaped  without  hypocleidium.  The 
coracoids  may  meet,  but  they  do  not  overlap. 

The  following  table  gives  the  variations  of  the  principal 
variable  organs  in  a  number  of  genera :— 


Ambiens    C*ca       G^d 

Gall 

Bladder 

Distribution 

Columba 

+            +           + 

0 

Cosmopolitan 

Turtur                                          +           +           + 

0 

Old  World 

Leptoptila                                   +           +           + 

0 

South  America 

Macropygia      .         .         .         +           +           + 

0 

Australia,        East 

Indies 

Ectopistes 

+           +           + 

0 

North  America 

lanthopnas 

+           +           + 

0 

Japan,  Fiji,  Samoa 

Chamaepelia                                +            0            +            0 

America 

Geotrygon        .         .         .         +            0           +           0 

South  America 

Metriopelia                                  +            0            +            0 

South  America 

Peristera                                      +            0            +            0 

South  America 

Zenaida                                        +            0            +            0 

America 

Zenaiclura                                    +            0            +            0 

North  America 

Caloenas                                       +            0            +            0 

New            Guinea, 

China,  Nicobar 

Chalcopelia                                 +            0 

+ 

0 

Africa 

Chalcophaps    .        .         .        +           0           +           0 

Australia,        East 

Indies 

Tympanistria  .         .         .        +       0  or  1       +     .      0 

Africa 

Ocyphaps                                    +0                         0 

Australia 

Leucosarcia     .         .         .        +            0           +            0 

Australia 

Phaps      .                  .         .         +           0            +            0 

Australia 

Didunculus                                 +            0            0            0 

Samoa 

Carpophaga      .         .         .        + 

0            +            + 

East  Indies,  Pacific 

Islands 

Ptilopus  .... 

0 

0 

0           + 

Australia,        Fiji, 

Celebes 

Erythroenas     . 

0 

0 

"i- 

+ 

Madagascar 

Lopholeemus    . 

+ 

0 

+ 

+ 

Australia 

Treron     . 

0 

0 

0 

0 

India,  East  Indies, 

• 

Africa,      Mada- 

gascar, Celebes, 

New  Guinea 

Goura 

0 

0 

0 

0 

New  Guinea 

OEna 

0           0 

+            0 

South  Africa 

Geopelia  .                 .         .  :      0           0 

+            0 

Australia,        East 

Indies 

Starncenas        ...         0 

+           00 

America 

Pblogcenas       ...         0 

+ 

+           0 

East  Indies 

Columbula       .         .         .         + 

0 

0 

America 

Turacoena         .         .         .         + 

9 

0            ? 

Celebes,  Timor 

Chrysoena 

0           0 

?        + 

1  Fiji 

COH  iMB/E  313 

GARROD  included  with  the  Columbse  Pterodes,  which  I 
treat  of  separately.  Accordingly,  in  quoting  his  classification 
of  the  group,1  I  term  families  what  he  termed  subfamilies. 
For  him  the  group  contained  two  families,  viz.  Columbidse 
and  Pteroclidae.  The  following  is,  with  the  alterations 
referred  to,  GARROD'S  scheme  of  division  of  the  group  :— 

Family  I.  Columbidae.     Columbae  with  ambiens,  caeca,  oil 
gland,  no  gall  bladder,  and  12  rectrices. 

Genera :    Columba,    Turtur,  Macropygia,    Ectopistes, 
L  ep  top  til  a ,  la  ntJi«'ii  as. 

Family  II.    Phapidae.     Columbae   with  ambiens    and    no 
caeca. 

Division  A.     Oil  gland  present,  no  gall  bladder. 
Genera  :   CTiam&pelia. 
Metriopelia. 
Zeiiaida,  Zenaidura. 

Geotrygon.  A^T^ 

Peri&tera. 
Catenas.  I*  (LIBRARY 

Ch  a  Ico-pclin.  \5^ 

Tympanistria. 

Ocyphaps. 

Leucosarcia. 

Pliaps. 
Division  B.  The  oil  gland  and  gall  bladder  present. 

Genus  Carpophaga. 
Division  C.  The    accessory  femoro-caudal   absent ;  oil 

gland  and  gall  bladder  present. 
Genus  Lopholcemus. 

Division  D.   Oil  gland  and  gall  bladder  absent. 
Genus 


Family  III.  Treronidse.     Columbas  without  ambiens. 

Division  A.  With  caeca  and  oil  gland  ;  no  gall  bladder. 
Genus  Phlog<ri///x. 

1   '  On  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  the  Columbse,'  P.  Z.  8.  1874,  p.  249, 

and  '  Notes  on  Two  Pigeons,'  &c..  ibid.  1875,  p.  307. 


314         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Division  B.  With  cseca,  no  gall  bladder,  no  oil  gland. 

Genus  Starn&nas. 
Division  C.  With  oil  gland,  without  gall  bladder  and 

casca. 

Genera  Geopelia,  CEna. 
Division  D.  Without  oil  gland   (or  rudimentary)  and 

caeca ;  tarsi  scutellate. 
Genera  Treron,  Ptilopus,  Erijthrcenas. 
Division  E.  With  casca,  oil  gland,  and  gall  bladder; 

tarsi  reticulate. 
Genus  Goura. 

To  these  must  in  any  case  be  added  another  family  to 
include  the  flightless  dodo  (Didus)  and  the  equally  flightless 
solitaire  (Pezophaps),1  the  former  from  Mauritius,  the  latter 
from  Bodriguez. 

The  dodo  at  the  time  of  its  description  by  Messrs. 
STRICKLAND  and  MELVILLE  -  was  only  very  imperfectly 
known.  Subsequently  OWEN  3  gave  an  account  of  and  figured 
the  greater  part  of  the  skeleton.  Later  still  Sir  E.  NEWTON 
and  GADOW  '  supplemented  this  account  by  further  details, 
and  published  a  figure  of  '  the  first  correctly  restored  and 
properly  mounted  skeleton.'  There  are  naturally  many 
other  notices  of  this  much- written- about  bird. 

The  skull  has  the  median  supra-occipital  foramen  of 
some  pigeons,  but  not  the  basipterygoid  processes.  The 
nostrils  are  schizorhinal.  The  palatines  have,  contrary  to 
what  is  found  in  Didunculus,  with  which  Sir  K.  OWEN 
specially  compares  Didus,  an  internal  lamina.  Neither  do 
the  postfrontal  process  and  zygoma  meet  and  fuse,  as  they 
do  in  Didunculus.  The  interorbital  septum  is  thick  and 
complete. 

There  are  15  cervical  vertebrae,  and  the  atlas  is  notched  for 
the  odontoid  process.  The  last  cervical  and  first  two  dorsals 

1  A.  and  E.  NEWTON,  '  On  the  Osteology  of  the  Solitaire,'  etc.,  Phil.  Trans. 
1869,  p.  327  ;  E.  NEWTON  and  J.  W.  CLABK,  '  On  the  Osteology  of  the  Solitaire 
(Pezophaps  solitarius),'  ibid.  vol.  clxviii.  1879,  p.  438. 

•  The  Dodo  and  its  Kindred.     London,  1848. 

:i  '  On  the  Osteology  of  the  Dodo,'  Tr.  Zool.  Soc.  vi.  p.  49. 

1  '  On  Additional  Bones  of  the  Dodo,'  etc.,  ibid.  xiii.  p.  281. 


COLUHB-E 

are  fused.  Four  ribs  reach  the  sternum,  of  which  the  last 
belongs,  as  in  Pezopliaps  only,  to  the  first  pelvic  vertebra. 

The  scapula  and  coracoid  are,  as  in  theRatites,1  ankylosed, 
and  the  angle  between  them  approximates  to  that  of  the 
Ratites  in  its  wideness. 

The  sternum  has  a  fair  keel,  neither  spina  interna  nor 
externa,  and  the  coracoids  do  not  nearly  meet.  The  clavicles 
have  no  hypocleidium. 

I  discuss  the  affinities  of  the  Columbae  under  Pterocletes. 


PTEROCLETES2 

Definition. — -After-shaft  small ;  aquincubital.  Oil  gland  nude.  A  crop 
present.  Cseca  long.  Muscle  formula  of  leg,  ABXY  -f  .  Biceps 
slip  and  expansor  secundariorum  present ;  plantar  tendons  of 
type  IV.  Skull  schizognathous,  holorhinal,  with  basipterygoid 
processes.  Both,  carotids  present. 

This  group  contains  but  two  genera,  Pterocles  and  Syr- 
rhaptes, both  of  which  are  Old- World  in  range.  Pterocles  is 
more  widely  spread  than  Syrrhaptes,  extending  southwards 
to  Africa  and  Madagascar.  Syrrhaptes  is  confined  to  Central 
Asia.  These  birds  have  a  pigeon-like  aspect,  though  NEWTON 
has  pointed  out  that  Syrrhaptes  has  a  plover-like  flight. 

The  feet  are  peculiar  for  the  feathering,  which  extends  to 
the  claws  ;  and  in  Syrrhaptes  the  three  toes  (the  first  is 
altogether  aborted)  are  encased  in  a  common  '  podotheca,' 
which  presents  the  appearance  of  '  a  fingerless  glove.'  This 
is  not  the  case  with  Pterocles,  which,  moreover,  has  the  first 
toe.  The  sand  grouse  have  a  small  aftershaft  and  a  nude 
oil  gland.  The  rectrices  vary  in  number  from  fourteen  to 
eighteen.  Contrary  to  what  is  found  in  the  pigeons  the 
newly  hatched  sand  grouse  is  covered  with  down,  and  in  the 

1  MOSELEY  ('  On  the  Structure  and  Arrangement  of  the  Feathers  in  the  Dodo,' 
Reji.  Brit.  AKS.  for  1884,  p.  782)  notes  that  the  feathers  are  disposed  in  threes, 
a  feature  which  is,  he  says,  apparent  in  pictures  of  the  bird. 

2  M.  BOGDANOW,  '  Bemerkungen  iiber  die  Gruppe  der  Pterocliclen,'  Hull.  Soc. 
Imp.  St.  Pctersb.  xxvii.   1881.   p.    1(14;  H.    GAI>O\V,   'On  some  Points  in  the 
Anatomy  of  Pterocles,'  &c.,  P.  Z.  ,S.  1882,  p.  312  ;  D.  G.  ELLIOT,  '  A  Study  of 
the  Pteroclidse,  or  Family  of  the  Sand  Grouse,'  ibid.  1878,  p.  233. 


316         STRUCTUEE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

adult  there  is  down  upon  the  apteria.  The  pterylosis,  as 
figured  by  KITZSCH,  is  almost  exactly  like  that  of  the  pigeons, 
but  there  are  no  neck  spaces.  The  beak  has  no  soft  '  cere,' 
such  as  exists  among  the  pigeons. 

GADOW  has  contrasted  the  crop  of  the  sand  grouse  with 
that  of  the  pigeon.  In  the  former  it  is  a  simple  dilatation  of 
the  anterior  and  lateral  walls  of  the  oesophagus,  without  any 
constriction  in  the  middle  line.  In  the  pigeons,  on  the  other 
hand,  the  crop  consists  of  two  symmetrical  swellings  of  the 
oesophagus,  between  which  is  continued  the  oesophagus.  The 
intestinal  coils  have,  according  to  MITCHELL,  an  '  extremely 
primitive  character.'  The  resemblance  to  the  intestine  of  the 
pigeons  is  great.  The  Pterocletes  differ  from  the  pigeons 
in  the  large  size  of  the  caeca.  The  lining  of  the  caeca  is 
marked  by  about  six  longitudinal  folds,  according  to  GADOW, 
but  according  to  PARKER  no  less  than  twelve.  In  Pteroclex 
the  right  lobe  of  the  liver  is  about  three  times  the  size  of  the 
left.  A  gall  bladder  is  always  present.  Figs.  17  and  1<S 
(p.  33)  show  some  variations  in  the  positions  of  the  liver  and 
pancreatic  ducts  in  the  sand  grouse,  which  are  taken  from 
GADOWT'S  paper  upon  the  anatomy  of  this  group. 

The  syrinx  (of  Pterocles)  is  not  in  the  least  like  that  of 
the  Columbae.  The  extrinsic  muscles  are  perfectly  symmetri- 
cal, and  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  enormously  developed.  The 
ordinary  pair  present  in  the  Columbae  aue  attached  to  what  i 
regard  as  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring,  and  are  not  specially 
large  ;  the  second  pair  l  are  only  visible  on  the  posterior 
aspect  of  the  windpipe  ;  they  are  two  large  fusiform  muscle's 
which  are  inserted  in  common  into  the  middle  line  of  the 
trachea,  near  to  its  termination. 

The  muscles  of  the  hind  limb  have  been  described  in  some 
detail  by  GADOW. 

The  muscle  formula  is  complete,  being  thus  expressible, 
on  GARROD'S  notation,  by  the  letters  ABXY  +  .  There  is 
only  one  peroneal,  the  longus,  which  has  the  usual  attach- 
ments to  the  ankle  and  to  the  flexor  perf  or atus. 

1  Pterocles  arcnarius  ;  it  appears  that  P.  alchata  has  not  the  second  larger 
pair. 


FTEROCLETES  317 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  fuse  at  the  ankle,  but  no  branch 
is  given  off  to  the  small  hallux  ;  this  digit  has,  however,  a 
special  flexor  hallucis  brcvis.  GADOW  concludes  his  survey 
of  the  muscles  of  the  bird  with  the  following  remarks  :  '  Of 
all  the  other  muscles  of  the  leg  (excluding  ambiens,  peroneus, 
and  absent  flexor  hallucis  slip)  there  is  none  that  shows  any 
practical  difference  between  sand  grouse,  pigeons,  and  even 
(if  we  include  them  in  our  comparison)  the  plovers.  On  the 
whole,  however,  the  myology  of  Pterocles  indicates  that  it  is 
more  nearly  allied  to  the  pigeons  than  to  any  other  group  of 
birds.' 

The  general  aspect  of  the  skull  of  Pterocles  arenarius  is 
much  like  that  of  a  similarly  sized  pigeon.  The  nostrils, 
however,  are  more  distinctly  holorhinal,  thus  leading  towards 
the  gallinaceous  birds.  They  end  on  a  level  with  the  ends  of 
the  nasal  processes  of  the  premaxillaries,  and  do  not  narrow 
at  all  at  their  broadly  rounded  terminations.  As  is  the  case 
with  Goura,  Opistliocomus  (a  fact  of  possible  importance),  and 
some  other  holorhinal  birds,  a  plate  of  bone  underlies  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  nostrils,  reducing  the  extent  of  the  orifices. 

As  in  pigeons  the  ectethmoids  are  very  solid  plates  of  bone 
which  fuse  with  the  lacrymals,  and  nearly  reach  the  jugal 
bar ;  only  the  minutest  foramen  perforates  this  plate  above. 
Syrrhaptes  l  agrees  so  far  with  Pterocles,  but  has  a  rather 
more  vacuolated  interorbital  septum. 

The  post-orbital  and  post-frontal  processes  are  long,  and 
nearly  (Pterocles)  or  quite  (Syrrhaptes)  fuse  at  their  extremi- 
ties, as  in  some  gallinaceous  birds. 

The  niaxillo-palatines  are  not  like  those  of  pigeons ;  they 
are,  as  in  gallinaceous  birds,  slender  curved  hooks. 

The  basipterygoid  processes  are  well  developed. 

There  are  fifteen  or  sixteen  cervical  vertebrae. 

'  In  almost  all  those  respects,'  remarked  HUXLEY,  '  in  which 
the  grouse  differ  from  the  fowls  they  approach  the  pigeons  ;  and 
an  absolute  transition  between  these  groups  is  effected  by  the 
Pteroclidtp,  whose  popular  name  of  "  sand  grouse  "  might  fitly 

1  See  PARKER,  '  On  the  Osteology  of  Gallinaceous  Birds,'  &c.,  Trans.  Zool. 
Soc.  vol.  v. 


318         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

be  exchanged  for  that  of  "  pigeon  grouse."  There  is,  in  my 
opinion,  much  to  be  said  for  this  view,  which,  however,  is 
not  now  so  generally  held.  HUXLEY'S  view  was  based 
almost  exclusively  upon  osteological  characters,  with  but 
slight  reference  to  the  anatomy  of  the  soft  parts,  which  were 
indeed — when  he  wrote  (in  1868) — scarcely  known.  The 
several  regions  of  the  vertebral  column  in  the  sand  grouse 
have  the  same  number  of  vertebrae  as  in  the  '  Alectoromor- 
pha?,'  '  and  ankylosis  takes  place  in  the  same  manner.'  The 
skull  is  dove-like  for  the  most  part ;  but  in.  certain  ways  it 
approaches  the  Galli.  For  instance,  the  maxillo-palatines  are 
alike  in  both  groups  of  birds  ;  the  union  between  the  squa- 
mosal  and  the  post-frontal  process  is  gallinaceous ;  the 
holorhinal  nostrils,  which  I  must  term  those  of  Pt erodes, 
indicate  a  likeness  to  all  the  members  of  the  group  Galli. 
The  remainder  of  the  skeleton  is,  in  HUXLEY'S  opinion, 
'  peristeromorphous,'  but  the  pelvis  is  partly  grouse-like. 
Attention  may  be  directed  to  the  likeness  of  the  sand 
grouse  humerus  to  that  of  pigeons.  The  osteological  cha- 
racters, however,  are  not  quite  so  intermediate  in  some 
respects  as  might  be  inferred  from  HUXLEY'S  paper.  The 
at  least  '  pseudo-holorhinal  '  nostrils  have  their  counterpart 
among  the  Limicolse,  in  Thinocorus,  and  in  some  others  (see 
below).  The  solid  ectethinoids  too  are  also  seen  in  that 
group,  while  GAEEOD'S  remark  that  the  Alcae  have  a  hu- 
merus like  that  of  Columbae  and  Pterocles  is  suggestive  in  the 
light  of  the  unquestionable  likeness  of  the  Alcae  for  the  Limi- 
colae,  though  the  actual  weight  of  this  character  may  be 
thought  by  some  to  be  discounted  by  the  fact  that  it  is  met 
with  in  the  Psittaci. 

Moreover  Otis,  which  is  to  be  placed  somewhere  near  the 
Limicolse,  has  the  gallinaceous  union  between  the  squamosal 
and  the  post-frontal  process,  to  which  I  have  referred  as 
possibly  affining  the  Pterocletes  to  the  Galli.  Other  characters 
too,  which  appear  at  first  sight  to  be  arguments  in  favour  of 
the  position  taken  up  by  HUXLEY,  may  be  interpreted  fairly 
as  marks  of  affinity  with  the  Limicolse  (and  their  immediate 
allies).  Such  are,  for  example,  the  long  ca?ca  (with  folds  in 


1'TEROCLETES  :$]!> 

the  bustards),  the  crop  (present  in  Thiiiocorus),  the  gull 
bladder,  &c.  MITCHELL  distinctly  places  both  Pterocletes 
and  Columbae  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Limicolae  by  reason 
of  the  arrangement  of  the  intestinal  coils. 

It  is  at  any  rate  clear  that  the  Pterocletes  occupy  a  lower 
place  than  the  Columbae — that  the//  have  given  rise  to  the 
Columbse,  and  not  vice  versa.  The  justice  of  this  view  is 
shown  by  the  long  caeca,  the  existence  of  an  aftershaft,  the 
complete  muscle  formula  of  the  leg,  and  by  a  few  other 
equally  unmistakable  characters.  On  the  whole  it  seems 
not  unreasonable  to  look  upon  the  Pterocletes  as  not  far  from 
the  stock  which  produced  the  Limicolse,  which  itself  was 
possibly  not  far  again  from  the  primitive  gallinaceous  stock. 

TURNICES 

Definition. — Rectrices,  twelve.  Aftershaft  present.  Oil  gland  tufted. 
Caeca  long.  Muscle  formula  of  leg,  A(B  XY+.  Skull  aegitho- 
gnathous,  schizorhmal,  "with  basipterygoid  processes.  Cervical 
vertebrae,  fifteen.  Sternum  one-notched. 

This  group  of  birds  consists  of  the  genera  T/iniix  and 
Pedionomus.1  It  has  been  confounded  with  the  gallinaceous 
birds  ;  but  the  discovery  of  PAEKEE  that  the  skull  is  aegitho- 
gnathous,  and  further  investigations  into  the  structure  of 
the  group — of  which  the  most  important  is  a  recent  paper 
by  GADOW  2 — have  rendered  it  necessary  to  remove  the  two 
genera  from  close  association  with  the  Galli. 

Of  the  two  genera  Tuniix  (Hemipodius)  is  European, 
African,  and  Indian  in  range  ;  Pedionomus  is  Australian. 

Besides  the  external  characters  mentioned  in  the  defini- 
tion, which  are  common  to  both  genera,  Pcdionoiniix  wants 
the  fifth  cubital,  which  is  present  in  T-unii.r  ;  there  are  four 
toes  in  Pedionomus  ;  Turnix  has  lost  the  small  hallux  of 
the  former  genus. 

1  LEGGE  (P.  Z.  S.  1869,  p.  236),  from  a  consideration  of  some  external  cha- 
racters and  habits,  was  impressed  by  possible  charadriine  affinities  of  Pedio- 
nomus. 

-  'Notes  on  the  Structure  of  Pcclionu/nitx  tur^ualtis^  Ac.,  Records  Austral. 
J/u.s.  i.  1891,  p.  205. 


320         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

As  to  the  pterylosis,  there  is  a  long  spinal  apterion,  which 
begins  on  a  level  with  the  shoulder  joint  and  reaches  to  a 
little  beyond  the  level  of  the  hip  joint.  Thence  the  two 
dorsal  tracts  are  continued  on  as  a  single  tract  to  the 
feathered  oil  gland.  On  the  neck  below  there  is  no  apterion  ; 
the  two  tracts  then  divide,  leaving  a  bare  interclavicular 
space ;  they  divide  again  on  a  level  with  the  anterior  end  of 
the  carina  sterni  into  a  lateral  thick  patch  and  a  median 
thinner  one  ;  this  latter  swells  out  in  its  course  and  then 
again  dwindles,  being  continued  to  the  cloacal  aperture  by  a 
few  scattered  feathers. 

The  pectoralis  I.  (at  any  rate  in  T.  Sykesi)  is  two-layered. 
The  tensor  patagii  brevis  tendon  gives  off  a  wristward  slip, 
but  there  is  no  patagial  fan. 

There  is  no  biceps  slip,  but  the  expansor  secundariorum 
is  present  (?  as  to  both  these  structures  in  Pedionomus}. 
The  muscle  formula  of  the  leg  is  the  complete  one  ABXY  + 
in  Pedionomus  ;  Turnix  has  lost  the  accessory  femoro-caudal 
for  the  most  part — not,  however,  in  T.  Kleinschmidti,  where 
it  is  present.  It  is  remarkable  that  in  Pedionomus  it  is  not 
B  but  A  which  is  on  the  wane. 

Both  carotids  are  present  in  Pedionomus,  only  the  left 
in  Turnix  ;  but  in  Pedionomus  the  left  is  the  weaker  and 
not  the  right,  as  might  perhaps  have  been  suspected. 

The  alimentary  canal  has  no  crop,  '  but  the  upper  half 
of  the  oesophagus  is  very  dilatable  '  (in  Pedionomus).  The 
ccBca  are  well  developed  ;  the  liver  in  both  genera  is  split 
into  three  nearly  equisized  lobes.  The  gall  bladder  is 
present. 

The  syrinx  (of  Turnix  lepurana)  is  not  at  all  gallinaceous 
in  its  characters.  The  tracheal  rings  are  weak  and  carti- 
laginous. The  intrinsic  muscles  are  thick  and  originate  in 
close  contact  from  the  anterior  face  of  the  trachea ;  they  are 
inserted  some  way  down  the  bronchi  on  to  the  opposite  face 
of  the  tubes.  In  Hemipodius  tacliijdromus  the  windpipe  is 
very  soft,  and  is  much  dilated  in  front  of  the  origin  of  the 
intrinsic  muscles,  which,  as  in  the  last  species,  are  large. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  osteology   of   the    Heinipodes  is 


TURN  ICES  821 

chiefly  due  to  PARKER,1  who  has  described  in  detail  the 
entire  skeleton  of  Hemipodius  varius,  and  also  the  skull  of 
Ticrnix  rostrata.  The  atlas  is  perforated  for  the  odontoid. 
There  are  15  cervical  vcrtcbrcc,  of  which  Nos.  10-15  bear 
haemapophyses.  None  of  the  dorsals  are  ankylosed.  The 
sternum  is  reached  by  three  or  four  ribs,  and  has  one  pair  of 
deep  lateral  incisions  cutting  off  two  long  thin  postero- 
lateral  processes. 

The  skull  is  aegithognathous  in  its  vomer,  broad  in  front, 
and  double  posteriorly,  and  in  the  slender  hook-like  maxillo- 
palatines  ;  the  latter,  however,  are  not  unlike  those  of  many 
gallinaceous  birds,  while  HUXLEY  has  compared  the  vomer 
with  that  of  Tetrao  urogallus.  The  nostrils  are  pseudo- 
holorhinal,  and,  as  in  pigeons,  there  is  a  considerable  alinasal 
ossification,  reducing  the  long  nares,  which  are  perfectly 
pervious.  As  is  also  the  case  with  the  pigeons,  the  ecteth- 
moids  are  large  and  solid,  and  have  fused  with  the  lacrymals. 
There  are  well-marked  basipterygoid  processes. 


RALLI 

Definition. — Aftershaft  usually  present.  Carotids,  two.  Muscle 
formula  of  leg,  ABX(Y)  +  .  Expansor  secundariorum  always 
present.  Tensor  patagii  brevi3  without  recurrent  slip  to  tensor 
patagii  longus.  Caeca  long.  Skull  schizognathous  and  holo- 
rhinal. 

The  rails  are  a  group  of  birds  of  very  uniform  structure. 
They  have  as  a  rule  a  tufted  oil  gland,  but  Porzana  Carolina, 
is  an  exception.  The  aftershaft  is  present.  The  rectrices 
vary  in  number  from  10  (Aramides  cay  omens  is)  through  12 
(Porzana  Carolina}  to  14  (Ocydrmnt/x  Earlei). 

The  spinal  tract  encloses  a  long  narrow  apterion,  which 
commences  earlier  in  Rail  its  aquaticns  than  in  Fulica  atra. 
The  latter  bird  has  almost  a  gap  between  the  anterior  and 
posterior  parts  of  the  spinal  tracts.  The  pectoral  tract  of 

1  In  his  papers  on  the  osteology  of  gallinaceous  birds  and  of  the  scgitho- 
gnathous  skull  in  Zool.  Trans,  vols.  v.  ix.  x. 

Y 


J22         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


each    side  is  double    in    RaUus  and   Ocydrowws,    single    in 
Fulica. 

The  following  are  the  intestinal  measurements  of  a  series 
of  species  :— 


Small  Int. 


Large  Int. 


Rallus  aquaticus 
Ocydromus  sylvestris 
O.  lefresnayanus 

0.  Earlei  . 
Aramides  cayennmsis 
Porzana  Carolina 
Crex  pratcnsis    , 
Porphyrio  madagascariensis 
fiaUinula  chloropns  . 
Fulica  atra 
F.  ardesiaca 
Tribonyx  Morticri 


Inches 

Inches 

Inches 

15 

1-5 

1-25 

27 

3 

42 

3-5 

31 

3-5 

2-5 

23 

1-5 

1-75 

18 

1-5 

2-25  ' 

9 

2 

1 

is 

24 

3 

2 

39 

3 

5 

74 

14 

39 

3 

6-5 

40-o 

2-75 

li,  (i'75 

The  folds  of  the  intestine  (fig.  159)  are  remarkably  like 
those  of  the  cranes  (fig.  158),  so  much  so  that  on  intestinal 
characters  only  the  two  groups  could  not  be  separated. 

There  is  no  crop ;  the  proventriculus  is  zonary  ;  the 
stomach  a  '  gizzard.'  The  right  lobe  of  the  liver  is  larger 
than  the  left,  and  the  gall  bladder  is  always  present. 

The  atlas  is  notched  for  the  odontoid  process  ;  it  has  no 
lateral  canals.  The  number  of  cervical  vertebrae  is  15  in 
Fulica  ardesiaca,  in  which  there  are  7  complete  ribs  (6  in 
Ocydromus}.  On  the  eleventh  cervical  (of  Fulica  ardesiaca) 
the  catapophyses  nearly  unite  ;  the  hsemapophyses,  up  which 
the  catapophyses  do  not  climb,  extend  as  far  as  the  second 
dorsal.  The  sternum  has  very  long  lateral  processes,  with  a 
larger  or  smaller  spina  externa.  The  clavicle  comes  into 
near  relations  with  both  procoracoid  and  scapula.  In  the 
skull 2  there  are  no  basipterygoid  processes,  and  the  lacry- 
mals  (in  Fulica,  Ocydromus,  and  Aramides)  do  not  join  the 

1  In  Porzana  notata  the  caca  are  minute  — -8  inch  in  length.  Cf.  Pamelas 
among  Limicolse. 

-  C.  G.  GIEBEL,  '  Osteologie  der  gemeinen  Ealle,'  &c.,  Zcitschr.  gcs.  Naturw. 
v.  (1855),  p.  185.  SHUFELDT,  '  Osteology  of  certain  Cranes,  Rails,  and  their 
Allies,'  J.  Anat.  Phys.  1895,  p.  2;  and  'Osteology  of  Porxana  Carolina,' 
Journ.  Comp.  Med.  Surg.  1888. 


RALLI 


323 


ectethmoids,  as  they  do  in  all  charadriiform  birds.  The 
ectethmoids  themselves  in  all  rails  that  I  have  examined 
send  a  process  upwards,  which  joins  the  frontal  bone  and 
leaves  a  foramen  for  the  passage  of  nerves.  The  interorbital 
septum  is  widely  fenestrate. 

The  pelvis  in  the  rails  has  a  longer  preacetabulum  than 
postacetabular  portion.  The  ilia  are  vertical  in  their  plane 
anteriorly,  and  in  Triboiujx  and  Fidica  are  completely  sepa- 


FIG.  158. — INTESTINES  OF  Cun/inui 
cristata  (AFTER  MITCHELL). 

.r,  short-circuiting  vessel. 


FIG.  159. — INTESTINES  OF  Crex  pra- 
te nsis  (AFTER  MITCHELL). 
x,  as  in  fig.  158. 


rated  from  each  other  by  the  fused  neural  spines  of  the 
vertebrse.  In  Aramides  and  Ocydromus,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  ilia  reach  the  summit  of  those  neural  spines.  In  all 
these  rails  the  pubes  are  fairly  strong  bones,  which  are  not 
ankylosed  anywhere  with  the  ischia. 

Nearly  all  the  Ballidae  have  a  biceps  slip.  Ocydromus 
Earlei  and  Rallies  macidatus  are  the  only  exceptions  known 
to  me.  The  tensor  brevis  is  simpler  than  in  many  birds ; 
in  Ocydromus  Earlei  it  consists  of  only  a  single  tendon.  In 
Crex,  as  in  most  others,  this  tendon  gives  off  a  wristward 
slip.  In  Aramides  and  Porplujrio  martinicus  the  hinder 
branch  of  the  tendon  is  very  feeble,  and  in  the  latter  does 
not  reach  the  fore  arm.  In  no  rail  is  there  any  distal 


Y    li 


324         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

patagial  fan,  a  fact  justly  emphasised  by  FOEBES  !  in  dis- 
criminating from  the  rails  the  somewhat  rail-like  Parr  a. 
In  some  (e.g.  Oci/droinus  Earlei,  Aramides}  the  tendon  of 
the  tensor  brevis  does  not  run  over  the  arm  to  the  ulnar 
side,  but  in  others  (e.g.  Crex)  it  does. 

The  (meaner us  has  a  humeral  attachment. 

FUEBRINGEE  figures  in  Porphyrio  an  interesting  con- 
dition of  the  biceps  and  of  the  biceps  slip.  The  biceps  slip 
arises  by  a  tendinous  head  close  to,  but  apparently  inde- 
pendently of,  the  humeral  head  of  the  biceps.  Close  to  the 
coracoidal  head  of  the  biceps  springs  a  ligament  which  is 
inserted  on  to  the  hunierus  just  in  front  of  the  origin  of  the 
humeral  head.  This  ligament  seems  to  be  a  detached 
portion  of  the  biceps,  since  in  the  Steganopodes  (q.v.  ;  cf. 
also  FUEBRIXGEB,  pi.  xxvi.)  it  is  perfectly  continuous  with 
the  biceps. 

In  the  leg  both  peroneals  are  present,  with  the  usual 
insertions. 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  are  often  of  No.  I.  type.  But 
in  Aramides  there  is  a  modification  of  this  in  the  shape 
of  a  second  vinculum,  attached  partly  to  the  tendon  just 
before  its  trifurcation  and  partly  to  the  special  tendon  of 
digit  II.  In  Ocydromus  Earlei  the  second  vinculum  is  also 
present,  but  feebler,  not  having  the  second  attachment  to 
the  flexor  of  digit  II. 

The  syrinx  in  the  rails  is  of  a  quite  typical  tracheo- 
bronchial  form,  except  for  the  fact  that  the  intrinsic  muscles 
are  attached  rather  far  down  the  bronchi — to  the  fourth 
bronchial  semi-rings  in  Ocydromus,  Aramides,  and  some 
others.  In  Ocydromus  sylvestris  none  of  the  tracheal  rings 
are  fused ;  the  first  two  bronchial  semi-rings  are  ossified, 
and  there  is  an  ossified  pessulus.  In  Aramides  the  last 
three  tracheal  rings  are  partly  fused  ;  the  last  two  of  these 
and  the  first  two  bronchial  semi-rings  are  ossified ;  there  is 
no  ossified  pessulus.  In  Fulica  (ardcsiaca  and  leucoptcra] 
the  bronchidesmus,  which  is  incomplete,  is  at  first  strengthened 

1  '  Notes  on  the  Anatomy  and  Systematic  Position  of  the  Javanas,'  P.  Z.  ,S'. 
isx],p.  639. 


IIALLI  325 

by  two   yellow   elastic   pads    of   tissue    springing  from  the 
membrana  tympaniformis. 

The  genera  Heliornis  and  Podica — the  former  American, 
the  latter  Old- World  in  distribution — seem  to  require  a  sepa- 
rate family  for  their  reception.  The  structure  of  these  two 
birds  has  been  mainly  investigated  by  myself  ; l  the  skeleton, 
however,  has  been  described  by  BRANDT  also.2 

In  neither  bird  is  there  an  aftershaft,  though  the  oil 
gland  is  tufted.  Unlike  other  rails  they  are  quintocubital. 
The  ptenjlosix  is  essentially  ralline.  In  Hcliornis  the  neck 
is  nearly  continuously  feathered,  there  being  only  a  short 
vental  apterion.  The  dorsal  tract  is  strong  between  the 
shoulder  blades,  and  is  forked  ;  the  hinder  parts  of  the  tracts 
scarcely  join  the  anterior  ;  they  become  fused  some  way 
in  front  of  the  oil  gland.  In  Podica  senegalensis,  but  not  in 
Hcliornis,  the  ventral  tracts  are  undivided.  The  less  degree 
of  specialisation  is  seen  in  other  features  of  the  anatomy  of 
the  smaller  American  finfoot. 

The  muscle  formula  of  the  leg  in  both  genera  is  ABX  + , 
the  Y  of  the  rails  not  being  developed.  The  chief  peculiarity 
of  the  leg  muscles,  however,  concerns  the  biceps.  This  is  a 
very  large  muscle  ;  in  Podica  it  has  no  less  than  three 
separate  insertions  on  the  leg.  First  there  is  the  ordinary 
insertion  through  a  perfectly  normal  sling  ;  just  before  this 
tendon  a  branch  is  given  off  which  is  inserted  independently 
on  to  the  leg  some  way  further  down.  In  addition  there  is 
an  extensive  insertion  on  to  the  fascia  covering  the  calf  of 
the  leg.  In  Heliornis  the  muscle  is  somewhat  simplified, 
only  the  first  and  third  insertions  being  present.  The 
complications  of  the  biceps  may  have  some  relation  to 
swimming;  for  in  certain  auks  (q.v.)  there  is  a  similar 
gastrocnenial  attachment. 

1  '  On  the  Anatomy  of  Podica  senegalensis,'  P.  Z.  S.  1890,  p.  425  ;  '  On  the 
Osteology,  Pterylosis,  and  Muscular  Anatomy  of  the  American  Finfoot  (Heliornis 
surinamensis),'  Ibis,  1893,  p.  30. 

2  '  Beitrage  zur  Kenntniss  der  Naturgeschichte  der  Vogel,'  etc.,   Hem.  Ac. 
Sci.  St.  Petersburg,  1840,  p.  81.     See  also  GIEBEL,  '  Zur  Naturgeschichte  des 
surinamischen  Wasserhuhns  Podoa  surinam-ensis,'  Zeitsclir.  yes.  Natunr.  xviii. 
1861,  p.  424,  and  NITZSCH'S  Ptcrylograplnj. 


826         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


The  deep  flexor  tendons  of  Heliornis  are  remarkable  (see 
fig.  160)  for  the  fact  that  both  tendons  split  into  three  branches 
for  the  three  digits  before  they  unite,  the  slip  to  the  hallux 
being  given  off  from  the  flexor  hallucis  previously.  The 
conditions  which  characterise  Podica  are  unknown.  In  the 
fore  limb  some  of  the  muscles  are  characteristic,  and  differ 
from  those  of  the  rails.  The  patagialis  brevis  consists  in 


FIG.  160.— DEEP  FLEXOR  TENDONS 
OF  Heliornis  (AFTER  BEDDABD). 

A,  fl.  hallucis  :  B,  fl.  communis  ;  1-4, 
slips  to  digits. 


FIG.  161. — PATAGIAL  MUSCLES  OF 
Heliornis  (AFTER  BEDDARD) 

Tp,  tensor  patagii ;  Hi,  biceps  ;  Bi.s, 
biceps  slip  ;  x,  tendinous  slip. 


both  of  a  simple  undivided  tendon,  which  has  not  more  than 
an  indication  of  a  patagial  fan.  This  indication  is  seen  only 
in  Heliornis  (fig.  1(31)  in  the  shape  of  an  upwardly  directed 
tendinous  slip,  to  which,  a  little  before  its  termination— 
apparently  upon  the  patagium — a  well-developed  biceps  slip 
is  attached.  In  Podica  the  biceps  slip  ends  freely  upon  the 
patagium.  Both  these  conditions  are  different  from  what  is 
met  with  in  the  rails,  but  are  to  some  extent  paralleled 
among  the  grebes.  In  Podiceps  the  biceps  slip  ends  freely 
upon  the  patagium,  as  in  Podica.  In  ^Eclimopliorus  (p.  387) 
the  biceps  slip  is  connected  directly  with  the  patagial  fan. 
The  likeness  between  that  bird  and  Hclioniix  appears  to  me 
to  be  unmistakable. 

The  expansor  secundariorum  is  present,  and  the  anconams 


RALL1 


327 


is  anchored  to  the  humerus.  The  finfoot  agrees  with  the 
divers  in  the  extensive  origin  of  the  posterior  latissimus  dorsi 
from  the  front  end  of  the  ilium.  The  largely  tendinous 
origin  of  the  rhomboidei  appears  to  point  in  the  same  direc- 
tion. As  to  the  alimentary  viscera,  there  are  long  caeca  ;  the 
right  lobe  of  the  liver  is  the  larger  ;  a  gall  bladder  is  stated 
by  GIEBEL  to  be  present  in  Heliornis.  I  did  not  find  one  in 
Podica,  but  the  matter  doubtless  requires  re-examination. 


FIG.  162.— SYRINX  OF  Podica 
xenccjalensis  (AFTER  BEDDAKD). 


FIG.  163. — STERNUM    OF   Heliornis. 
VENTRAL  VIEW.     (AFTER  BEDDARD.) 


The  syrinx   is   typically  tracheo-bronchial,  and  in   no  way 
remarkable. 

The  osteology  of  the  Heliornithidae  is  not  very  decisive  as 
to  their  affinities.  In  Podica  there  are  seventeen  cervical 
vertebra,  an  advance  upon  the  fifteen  of  the  rails  and  an 
approach  to  the  twenty-one  of  Podiceps.  Six  ribs  reach  the 
sternum  in  both  genera  of  Heliornithidae.  The  sternum  has 
but  one  pair  of  notches,  and  in  Podica,  at  any  rate,  the  spina 
externa  is  well  developed.  The  skull  is,  on  the  whole,  rail- 
like,  bearing,  perhaps,  a  greater  resemblance  to  Aramides 
than  to  any  other  genus  of  rails.  The  clavicles,  contrary  to 
what  is  met  with  in  the  rails,  reach,  and  are  firmly  attached 
to,  the  carina  sterni. 

/.s  (fig.  164)  of  the  Heliornithidae  is  in  some  respects 


3-28 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 


RALLI 


unlike  that  of   the  typical  rails.     As  in  Fill  lea,  the  ilia  are 
widely  separated  by  the  fused  neural   spines  of  the  dorsal 


FIG.  165. — SKULL  OF  Podica.     LATF.UAL  VIEW.     (AFTER  BEDDARH.) 

vertebrae  concerned  ;  but  the  ischia  are  broader  and  directed 
more  downwards  (their  position  is,  in  fact,  more  primitive) 


FIG.  16(5 — SKULL  OF  Heliornis. 
VENTRAL  AND  LATERAL  VIEWS. 
(AFTER  BEDDARD.) 


f 

I'"i<i.   107. — SKULL  OF 

VENTRAL     VIEW.        (AFTER 
BEDDARD.) 


than  in  the  rails,  while  the  pubes  are  ankylosed  at  least  at 
one  point  with  the  ischia. 

There  are  a  considerable  number  of  extinct  rails,  many 
of  which  were  flightless,  thus  showing  an  exaggeration  of  a 


330         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

tendency    of   many    existing  rails  which   either   do  not    fly 
much  or  are  hut  feebly  fitted  for  flying. 

It  is  particularly  upon  small  islands  that  these  flightless 
rails  have  been  discovered,  both  living  and  fossil,  and  in 
islands  where  loss  of  flight  may  be  regarded  as  having  been 
of  less  importance  as  a  disadvantage  in  the  struggle  for 
existence.  Thus  in  New  Zealand  there  was  (until  recently) 
the  large  Notornis,  whose  skeleton  has  been  described  by  T.  J. 
PARKER.1  The  last  living  specimen  was  taken  in  1879.  From 
the  Chatham  Islands  are  known  Paltzolimnas  cliatliamensis 
and  Nesolinmas  Dieffenbachii.  The  skeletons  of  these  rails 
have  been  described  by  H.  O.  FoRBES,2  MiLNE-EDWARDS,3 
and  ANDREWS  ; 4  the  latter  by  ANDREWS.  Nesolimnas  ap- 
pears to  be  not  yet  extinct  ;  the  former  species  is.  Another 
form  from  the  Chatham  Islands  was  originally  described 
under  the  generic  name  of  Aplianaptenjx,  and  supposed  to 
be  congeneric  with  A.  Broecki  of  Mauritius.  Both  of  these 
birds  have  been  dealt  with  by  MILNE-EDWARDS  and  ANDREWS. 
Diaphorapieryx  Hawkinsi  was  a  largish  rail,  with  the  keel  of 
the  sternum  much  reduced,  being  about  half  the  height  of 
the  keel  of  the  flying  Hypotcenidia  celebensis  and  slightly 
less  than  that  of  Ocydromus.  The  scapula  and  coracoid 
make  an  exceedingly  wide  angle,  as  in  all  flightless  birds— 
about  130  degrees.  The  resemblances  of  Diaphorapteryx  to 
Aplianapteryx  are  set  down  by  ANDREWS  and  GADOW  to 
parallelism  of  development,  and  not  to  real  affinity. 

Palceolimnas  chatliamensis  is  not,  as  was  at  one  time 
thought,  identical  with  Fulica  Newtoni  of  Mauritius  ;  it  may, 
however,  be  the  same  as  Fulica  prisca  of  New  Zealand. 
The  bird  is  much  like  Fulica  in  osteological  characters,  the 
principal  difference  being  the  large  size  of  the  impressions 

1  '  On  the  Skeleton  of  Notornis  Mantclli;  Tr.  N.  Zeal,  List.  xiv.  (1881),  p. 
245. 

-  In  Nature,  xlv.  (1892),  p.  410 ;  ibul.  p.  580  ;  and  Ibis,  1893,  p.  254. 

:t  '  Sur  les  Ressemblances  qui  existent  entre  la  Faune,'  &c.,  Ann.  Sci,  Nat. 
(8),  ii.  1896,  p.  117. 

4  '  On  the  Extinct  Birds  of  the  Chatham  Islands,'  parts  i.  and  ii. ;  Novitates 
Zool.  iii.  p.  73  ct  .sr^ .,  p.  260  ct  seq. ;  and  '  Note  on  the  Skeleton  of  Diapltor- 
apteryx  Haickinsi,'  Gcol.  Mag.  1896,  p.  337. 


IIALLI  331 

for  the  supra-orbital  glands.  The  keel  is  reduced  as  com- 
pared with  living  coots,  its  height  being  12  mm.  as  compared 
with  17  mm.  and  15  111411.  in  F.  atra  and  F.  cristata.  The 
wing  is  short  in  proportion  to  the  leg,  shorter  than  in  F.  atra  ; 
but  ANDREWS  thinks  that  the  bird  '  may  still  have  been 
capable  of  heavy  flight  for  short  distances.' 

Ncsolimnas  is  a  more  aberrant  form  in  some  particulars. 
It  may  be  still  living,  but  the  only  specimen  was  obtained  in 
1840.  The  most  striking  feature  in  the  osteology  of  this 
bird  appears  to  be  the  schizorhinal  nostrils,  which  do  not 
occur  elsewhere  in  the  rails  (as  defined  in  the  present  volume). 
The  wings  are  reduced,  but  the  scapula  and  the  coracoid  do 
not  make  a  wide  angle  (forty-five  as  against  sixty  for  Ocy- 
dromus). 

Of  the  extinct  European  rails  described  by  MILNE-EDWAKDS, 
from  the  Eocene  and  Miocene,  a  number  of  species  have  been 
described  and  referred  to  the  genus  Rallus.  Gypsornis  is  believed 
to  be  most  nearly  akin  to  Aram  ides. 


OTIDES 

Definition. — Three-toed  birds.  Oil  gland  absent.  Aftershaft  present. 
Aquincubital.  Skull  schizognathous,  holorhinal,  without  basi- 
pterygoid  processes.  Muscle  formula,  BXY  +  .  Caeca  long.  No 
biceps  slip.  Expansor  secundariorum  present.  Syrinx  without 
intrinsic  muscles. 

THE  bustards  are  undoubtedly  a  much-specialised  group,  not 
(in  my  opinion)  distinctly  nearer  to  the  charadriiform  birds, 
where  they  are  placed  by  FURBEINGEE,  than  to  the  cranes, 
with  which  they  are  associated  by  GADOW. 

They  are  distinguished  from  all  their  allies  by  the  total 
absence  of  an  oil  gland.  The  feathers  have  an  aftershaft. 
There  are  twenty  rectriccs  in  Otis  and  Houbara,  sixteen  in 
Eupodoiis  Denhami,  eighteen  in  Tetrax. 

In  both  Otis  and  Tetrax  the  lateral  neck  spaces  are 
reduced  to  a  rudiment  on  each  side  close  to  the  shoulder. 
The  dorsal  tract  is  divided  high  up  on  the  back  of  the  neck ; 
the  two  halves  come  nearer  together,  and  at  the  same  time 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

get  broader  in  the  lumbar  region  ;  they  finally  completely 
fuse  to  form  a  broad  and  uninterrupted  tract. 

The  ventral  tract  is  undivided  in  the  neck  in  Otis  ;  it  is 
very  broad  in  the  pectoral  region,  where  it  divides  into  two 
narrow  bands,  with  an  indication  of  a  third  in  the  form  of  a 
slightly  divergent  outer  group  of  particularly  strong  feathers. 
The  two  pairs  of  narrow  tracts  unite  round  the  cloaca. 

In  Eupodotis  australis  the  dorsal  tract  is  divided  high  up 
on  the  neck,  the  ends  of  the  tracts  at  ends  of  scapula  are 
particularly  strongly  feathered,  arid  the  two  halves  of  the 
posterior  region  of  the  dorsal  tract  run  in  anteriorly  between 
the  anterior  forks.  The  ventral  tract  has  a  fainter  indication 
than  in  Otis  of  the  outermost  branch.  It  does  not  appear 
again  to  divide  into  two. 

A  striking  peculiarity  of  the  bustards  is  the  variability  of 
the  carotids.  In  Otis  and  Honiara  there  are  two  ;  \i\Eitpo- 
dotis  only  the  right ;  in  Tetrax  only  the  left. 

The  following  are  intestinal  measurements  :- 


— 

Small  Int. 

Large  Int. 

i   8BC8 

Inches 

Inches 

Inches 

Otis  tarda 

46 

10-5 

Eupodotis  a  list  ml  in 

28-5 

4-75 

13-5  and  14 

E.  kori    . 

42 

11 

14-5 

E.  arabs  . 

33 

9 

9-5  and  8-75 

E.  Denhami    . 

29 

4-5 

7-5  and  9 

Houbara  undiilata 

22 

— 

7 

t 

18                              4 

8 

H.  Macqueeni  . 

36                            4-5 

8 

Tetrax  campestris    . 

30 
31 

— 

7 
6-25 

The  caecum  of  Otis  tarda  is  highly  remarkable.  The 
median  third  of  the  gut  is  much  dilated,  and  is  lined  by  a 
smooth  mucous  membrane,  which  is  marked  by  about  seven 
slightly  raised  longitudinal  folds,  which  are  visible  externally, 
but  connected  with  no  sacculation.  Scattered  about  are 
numerous  circular  glands,  of  the  size  of  hemp  seed.  The 
terminal  part  of  each  caecum,  which  is  some  two  inches  in 
length,  has  villi,  like  intestine.  The  apical  region  has  not, 
but  there  is  a  close  retiforrn  disposition  of  mucous  membrane, 
which  gradually  passes  into  longitudinal  folds  of  the  middle 


<  HIDES  333 

region.  The  ca?ca  of  Eupodotis  Denhami  appear  to  be  much 
the  same. 

In  Eupodotis  a  astral  is  the  caeca  are  not  dilated  only  in 
the  middle,  as  are  those  of  Otis  tarda,  but  for  the  apical 
eleven  or  twelve  inches  or  so.  The  dilated  region  is  lined 
with  irregular  folds.  E.  Denhami  agrees  with  0.  tarda.  The 
liver  lobes  are  equal,  or  (Tetrax)  the  right  is  the  larger.  A 
gall  bladder  is  present. 

The  bustards  (at  any  rate  Eupodotis  Denhami)  are  remark- 
able for  possessing  a  rudimentary  penis,  as  does  the  perhaps 
nearly  allied  (Edicnemus.  It  is  a  short  blunt  cone,  grooved 
above,  with  a  row  of  glandular  pores  on  each  side  below. 
Internally  there  are  two  oval  spongy  bodies,  attached  to 
anterior  part  of  sphincter  muscle,  and  external  to  these  on 
each  side  are  retractor  muscles,  attached  to  back  of  cloaca. 

The  bustards  have  a  tracheo-bronchial  syrinx,  but  the 
intrinsic  muscles  are  either  absent  or,  if  present,  are  but 
feebly  developed. 

Eupodotis  australis  has  perhaps  the  least  modified 
syrinx.  The  first  two  or  three  bronchial  semi-rings  seem 
really  to  belong  to  the  tracheal  series,  on  account  of  their 
greater  depth  and  slighter  dividing  membranous  intervals 
than  those  which  follow.  The  intrinsic  muscles  are  reduced 
to  a  narrow  ligament,  fanning  out  somewhat  below. 

In  E.  kori  the  ligament  representing  the  intrinsic  muscle 
of  each  side  is  even  feebler,  and  in  E.  Denhami  it  has  abso- 
lutely vanished. 

In  all  the  above  species  the  rings  and  semi-rings  preserve 
their  independence,  and  are  not  fused,  except  one  or  two 
ventrally  to  form  the  pessulus,  which  is  strong  and  ossi- 
fied. 

In  Otis,  on  the  other  hand,  the  pessulus  is  slender  and 
cartilaginous,  being  formed  by  one  ring  only.  There  are  no 
traces  of  intrinsic  muscles. 

The  genus  Honiara  has  a  rather  peculiar  syrinx,  which, 
however,  like  the  last,  is  without  intrinsic  muscles.  It  is 
compressed  from  side  to  side  just  before  the  bifurcation. 
But  the  '  waist,'  thus  formed  does  not  correspond  to  the 


334         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

boundary  line  between  trachea  and  bronchi ;  it  lies  between 
the  penultimate  and  antepenultimate  tracheal  rings. 

In  front  of  the  last  three  tracheal  rings  there  is  no  par- 
ticular modification  of  the  trachea.  The  antepenultimate  ring 
is  strongly  ossified  in  front,  where  it  is  convex  downwards, 
thus  leaving  a  considerable  membranous  interval  between 
itself  and  the  ring  in  front.  The  next  ring  is  of  the  same 
size,  and  also  ossified  in  front ;  the  tough  and  elastic  mem- 
brane uniting  the  two  can  be  easily  stretched.  The  last 
tracheal  ring  is  much  narrower,  but  also  ossified  in  front ;  it 
passes  into  the  cartilaginous  pessulus.  Posteriorly  these 
rings  are  incomplete,  but  are  joined  by  a  particularly  tough 
membrane.  The  bronchial  semi-rings  are  delicate,  and  not 
so  long  (from  before  backwards)  ;  they  naturally  diminish 
successively  in  length.  The  above  description  refers  to  H. 
Macqueeni,  but  A.  undulata  hardly  differs. 

The  bustards  exhibit  a  phenomenon  known  as  '  showing 
off,'  which  is  associated  with  certain  anatomical  peculiarities. 
The  appearance  of  the  male  bird,  when  indulging  in  this 
display,  is  illustrated  by  a  plate  which  accompanies  Dr. 
MUEIE'S  paper  *  upon  the  subject.  The  neck  is  immensely 
puffed  out,  so  as  actually  to  trail  upon  the  ground.  This 
singular  behaviour  on  the  part  of  the  cock  bird  during  the 
breeding  season  is  not  confined  to  the  European  Otis  tarda ; 
it  has  been  observed  in  both  Eupodotis  australis  and  E. 
Denhami.  It  is  curious  that,  though  the  result  to  all  out- 
ward appearance  is  much  the  same,  the  mechanism  which 
produces  the  inflation  of  the  neck  differs  in  the  two  cases. 
In  Eupodotis  the  anterior  section  of  the  oesophagus  becomes 
dilated.  In  Otis  there  is  a  special  pouch 2  developed  between 
the  two  halves  of  the  lingual  frenum,  which  extends  for  a 
considerable  way  down  the  neck. 

The  tensores  patagii  are  fairly  characteristic.     No  bustard 

1  P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  471  ;  Sir  W.  ELLIOT,  'Notes  on  the  Indian  Bustard,'  &c., 
P.  Z.  S.  1880,  p.  486.     See  also  FLOWER,  P.  Z.  S.  1865,  p.  747  ;  NEWTON,  Ibis, 
1862,  p.  107;  MUKIE,  P.   Z.  S.    1869,   p.  140;  GARROP,  ibid.  1874,   pp.  471, 
673  ;  FORBES,  ibid.  1880,  p.  477. 

2  Cf.  similar  pouch  in  duck  Biziura,  v.  p.  458. 


OTIDES  335 

has  a  biceps  slip.  In  Eupodotis  Denliami  the  brevis  tendon  is 
a  broad  fibrous  band  spreading  out  after  the  ulnar  muscles 
and  inserted  on  to  humeral  tubercle.  In  Ei/podotis  <utxtr<ilix 
and  Houbara  Macqueeni  there  is,  in  addition,  a  broad  wrist- 
ward  slip  which  does  not  cross  the  fore  arm.  In  Otis  tarda 
the  extreme  degree  of  complication  is  reached,  for  there  is, 
in  addition  to  the  structures  described,  a  slight  patagial  fan 
joining  the  longus  tendon  in  the  usual  way. 

The  anconcBits  has  a  tendinous  humeral  head  (at  least  in 
Eupodotis  australis  and  Otis  tarda).  Otis  has  no  latissi- 
mus  dor  si  posterior. 

As  in  other  three-toed  birds,  the  deep  flexor  tendons  are 
completely  blended. 

The  glutens  max  i  in  its  is  large  and  quite  covers  the 
biceps. 

The  number  of  cervical  vertebrce  is  sixteen,  seventeen 
(fide  GADOW  and  FURBBINGER),  or  eighteen  (Houbara  Mac- 
queeni). The  atlas  is  notched.  In  Houbara  Macqueeni  at 
any  rate  the  eleventh  to  thirteenth  cervicals  have  closely 
approximated  haemapophyses.  The  last  haemapophysis  is  on 
the  Dl ;  in  the  two  vertebrae  in  front  these  processes  are  trifid. 

Five  ribs  reach  the  sternum,  all  of  them  with  uncinate 
processes.  The  sternum  has  two  notches.  There  is  neither 
spina  extema  nor  spina  interna. 

In  the  skull  the  margins  of  the  orbit  are  very  sharp,  as  in 
(Edicnemus  and  Rhinochetus.  The  interorbital  septum  is 
riot  greatly  fenestrate.  The  descending  process  of  the  lacry- 
mal  just  comes  into  contact,  but  does  not  ankylose,  with  the 
pref rental  process  of  the  ethmoid.  The  maxillo-palatine 
processes  are  curved  and  shell-like.  In  Houbara  Macqueeni 
at  any  rate  this  bone  reaches  the  jugal  arch.  The  temporal 
fossa  is  guarded  by  two  long  and  spine-like  processes  of  the 
squamosal  bones,  as  in  gallinaceous  birds,  and  much  more 
marked  than  in  Rliinoclietus. 

The  procoracoid  is  of  moderate  size  and  does  not  reach 
the  clavicle.  The  two  coracoids  are  not  in  contact  at  their 
articulation  with  sternum. 

I  place  the  bustards  in  a  group  by  themselves,  largely 


336         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

on  account  of  the  fact  that  they  are  in  several  respects  much 
altered  by  modification  from  their  allies.  They  show 
evidence  of  degeneration  in  the  loss  of  the  oil  gland,  in  the 
occasional  loss  of  one  of  the  two  carotids,  in  the  absence  of 
the  biceps  slip,  and  in  the  reduced  muscle  formula  of  the 
leg.  GAEEOD  associated  with  the  bustards  the  Cariamidae, 
GEdicnemidse,  Serpentarius,  and  possibly  Phosnicopterus. 
There  is,  in  my  opinion,  more  to  be  said  in  favour  of 
associating  the  first  two  families  with  the  bustards  than  the 
last  two.  But,  as  I  have  pointed  out  elsewhere,  Serpentarius 
shows  more  than  one  hint  of  a  crane-like  origin.  As  to  the 
first  two  groups,  they  agree  with  the  bustards  in  the  muscle 
formula  BXY,  in  the  holorhinal  nostrils,  in  the  absence  of  the 
biceps  slip  (Cariama),  the  absence  of  basipterygoid  processes, 
the  absence  or  feeble  development  of  intrinsic  muscles  to  the 
syrinx  ;  the  oil  gland  too,  absent  in  the  bustards,  is  nude  in  the 
cariamas,  and  thus  shows  a  commencing  reduction.  But  these 
various  cases  of  reduction  cannot  be  held  to  be  necessarily 
indications  of  relationship.  I  should,  however,  lay  some  stress 
upon  the  holorhinal  nostrils,  the  leg  muscles,  and  the  syrinx  ; 
in  this  case  the  same  conclusion  as  that  advanced  by 
FUEBRINGEE  is  arrived  at,  viz.  that  the  Otides  come  nearest 
to  the  (Edicnernidae.  The  very  difficulty  of  associating  the 
Otides  with  either  gruiform  or  charadriiform  birds  is  evidence 
of  the  common  descent  of  all  three  divisions  of  the  class. 


LIMICOLJE ' 

Definition. — Oil  gland  feathered.  Aftershaft  present.  Aquincubital. 
Skull  schizognathous.  Both,  carotids  present.  Cccca  nearly 
always  large.  Ambiens- always  present.  Biceps  slip  to  patagium 
nearly  always  present. 

This  is  a  large  group  of  birds  which  are  cosmopolitan  in 
range  and  embrace  a  variety  of  types,  which  may  perhaps 
be  arranged  in  six  families.  The  type  family  is  that  of  the 

1  SEEBOHM,  The  Geographical  Distribution  of  the  CharadrHdce>&o,,'Lond.on, 
1887.     A  monograph  of  all  the  species  (excl.  gulls). 

-  Rlujnchops  is  alone  exceptional  in  having  no  ambiens. 


L1M1COL.E  337 

Characlriiclae,  which  contains  the  largest  number  of  genera ; 
the  remaining  families  are  not  separated  from  it  by  very 
numerous  points  of  difference,  and  the  group  as  a  whole  is 
very  near  to  the  gulls,  which  I  only  divide  as  a  family.  The 
birds  of  this  group,  though  they  are  generally  good  flyers,  are 
mostly  found  upon  the  margins  of  the  sea  or  of  marshes  and 
pools ;  and  their  long  bills  are  apparently  constructed  with  a 
view  to  probing  the  mud  and  sand  of  such  localities  for  their 
food,  which  is,  writh  the  exception  of  the  vegetable-feeding 
Thinocoridse,  animal.  The  bill  is  usually  long,  and,  in  the 
woodcock,  soft  at  the  extremity,  reminding  us  of  the  bill  of 
Aptenjx,  being  used,  indeed,  for  the  same  purpose,  to  extract 
earthworms.  In  the  curlew  (Numenius)  the  bill  is  curved 
downwards,  as  in  the  ibis.  In  the  avocet  (Recurvirostra 
avocetta)  it  is  curved  upwards ;  in  Eurynorhynchus  it  is 
spatulate  at  the  extremity,  and,  finally,  in  the  crooked-billed 
plover  it  is  bent  sideways.  The  legs  are  often  long,  and  the 
toes  moderately  or  very  much  so  (Parridse) .  There  are  either 
four  toes,  the  hallux  being  small,  as  in  the  whimbrels, 
pratincole,  &c.,  or  the  hallux  and  the  remaining  toes  also  are 
of  enormous  length,  as  in  the  Parridse  only ;  in  many  forms, 
such  as  the  stilt  plover,  the  hallux  is  absent.  In  Recurvi- 
rostra and  Himantopus  andimis  the  feet  are  well  webbed. 
In  the  phalaropes  the  feet  are  lobate.  The  colour  of  these 
last-mentioned  birds  is  suggestive  of  that  of  the  mature  gulls, 
just  as  the  markings  of  the  immature  gulls  is  suggestive  of 
the  coloration  of  many  Limicolae,  such  as  the  dunlin,  knot,  &c. 
The  number  of  rectrices  varies  from  ten  in  Rhynchcea  and 
twelve  in  EurynorJiyncJitis  to  as  many  as  twenty-six  in 
Scolopax.  The  face  in  Lobivanellus  is  adorned  with  fleshy 
lobes,  so  often  found  in  birds. 

The  pterylosis  of  the  Limicolae  has  been  chiefly  studied 
by  NiTZSCH,1  who  figures  Scolopa.c  and  Charadrius.  The  dor- 
sal tract,  single  on  the  neck,  bifurcates  between  the  shoulders 
into  two  strong  bands,  which  either  are  (Scolopax)  or  are  not 
(Charadrius)  continuous  with  the  anteriorly  bifurcate  pos- 
terior section  of  the  dorsal  tract.  The  ventral  tract  divides 

1  See  also  ANDKESON  as  quoted  on  p.  343. 

Z 


338 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


I'mx. 


at  the  beginning  of  the  neck  ;  on  the  breast  each  half  gives  off 
a  strong  lateral  branch. 

All  the  Charadriidse,  and  indeed  all  the  Limicolae,1  are  schi- 
zognathous  ;  but  many  of  them  have  not  the  typical  condition 
of  the  vomer  which  accompanies  as  a  rule  the  schizognathous 
skull.  In  the  woodcut  (fig.  169)  a  few  exceptions  to  this  are 

given,  which  range  from  the  typical 
condition  observable  in  Sterna  to  an 
excavated  extremity,  such  as  charac- 
terises Recurvirostra.  In  Chionis  the 
vomer  ends  in  the  typical  manner,  i.e. 
in  a  point  ;  but  it  is  exceedingly  broad 
before  its  termination,  and  therefore 
quite  unusual. 

In  TJiiuocoms  and  Attagis  the 
vomer  is  short  and  broad,  and  almost 
passerine  in  form. 

The  maxillo-palatines  are,  as  a 
rule,  thin  and  scroll-like  plates,  which 
are  bent  downwards  and  often  defi- 
cient in  ossification,  leaving  holes  here 
and  there.  The  palatines  have  a 
spout-like  process,  extending  upwards 
towards  the  base  of  the  skull,  which 
is  especially  well  marked  in  CEdic/n  - 
m-us.  The  Limicolse  are  nearly  all  of 
them  schizorhinal,  the  delicate  bar  of 
i-  the  premaxilla  being  inserted  at  a 
different  plane  from  the  attachment 


Nip 


FIG.    168.  —  UNDEB    VIEW   OF 


alis  (AFTER  HUXLEY). 


Pm.r.  premaxilla;   V<>.  vomer  ;  MX, 
maxilla:    I'l,  palatine;    R.  ros-    of  the  nasals  to  the    fl'Olltals.        Ill  the 
triiiu  ;  Xa,  nasal  ;  M.rp,  ruaxillo- 

«,  eetetimioia.  Characlriidse  proper  there  are  a  pair  of 

largish  occipital  vacuities,  one  on  either  side  of  the  foramen 
magnum.     These  same  birds  have  basi-occipital  processes, 


1  SHUFELDT  ('  Contributions  to  the  Comparative  Osteology  of  Arctic  and 
Subarctic  Water  Birds,'  J.  Anat.  Phys.  1889  and  1890)  figures  a  few  skulls  of 
Limicolffi.  See  also  the  same,  '  On  Apliriza  virgata,'  Joiirn.  J/or/i/;.  ii.  p.  311. 
See  also  'Osteology  of  Niunenius,'  &c.,  Journ.  Anat.  I'Jn/s.  1885,  p.  51; 
'  Observations  on  the  Osteology  of  Podasocys  mmtan/is,'  ibid.  1884,  p.  86. 


LTMICOL.E 


\vliichvary  somewhat  in  the  degree  of  their  development.  The 
lacrymal  bone  articulates  with  the  ectethmoid,  and  makes  a 
complete  arch  of  bone  in  the  anterior  region  of  the  orbit.  The 
bones  are  particularly  slender  in  Himantopus,  leaving,  there- 
fore, a  large  vacuity.  In  one  or  two  types  the  foramen  of  the 
arch  is  almost  obliterated  by  the  thickness  of  the  ectethmoid. 
The  upper  margin  of  the  orbits  in  the  Charadriidae  is  marked 
with  conspicuous  grooves  for  the  supra-orbital  glands. 

There  are  fifteen  cervical  vertebra  in  Htematopus,  Nu- 
menius, &c. 

The    atlas   is    perforated    by   the    odontoid    (Numenius, 


FIG.  1(59. — VOMEES  OF  VARIOUS  Limicohs  (AFTER  GARROD). 
1.  Sti'nid  Idnindo.  2.  Htematopm  ostralegus. 
3.  N/i men  iits  arquatus.  4.  Rccurvirostra  avocctta. 
5.  Chionis  alba. 

Limosa) .  The  Limicolae  differ  from  the  Grues  in  the  fact  that 
only  one  or  two  vertebrae  (the  ninth  in  Limosa)  are  furnished 
with  two  fairly  closely  approximated  hsemapophyses  for  the 
reception  of  the  carotids.  In  Numenius  these  exist  on  the 
ninth  and  tenth,  and  there  are  traces  on  the  eleventh.  The 
first  dorsal  vertebra,  or  the  first  two,  has  a  large  distally 
expanded  haemapophysis.  an  indication  of  a  state  of  affairs 
which  is  carried  much  further  in  the  allied  group  of  Alcae  (q.v.) 
In  these  points  the  gulls  may  be  contrasted  with  the  more 
typical  Limicolse.  There  are  no  paired  hsemapophyses  borne 
by  the  centra. 

The  unpaired  liEemapophyses  extend  (inLestris)  from  CIO 
to  C15  ;  on  Dl-3  there  are  slightly  bifid  hsemapophyses.  The 
atlas  is  notched. 

In  Chionis  CIO  has  a  slightly  excavated  haemapophysis, 

z  2 


340         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

a  trace  of  the  double  one  of  other  birds.  The  haemapophyses 
of  Dl,  D2  are  the  longest,  and  the  former  is  slightly  trifid  ; 
this  trifidity  is  very  marked^m  the  case  of  the  two  last  cervicals. 
The  atlas  is  notched. 

In  Parra,  as  in  the  typical  Limicolse,  the  atlas  is  perforated 
by  the  odontoid  process.  On  the  eleventh  vertebra  only  do 
the  two  processes,  which  form  an  incompletely  closed  canal 
for  the  carotids,  approach  each  other  markedly  in  the  middle 
line.  The  first  dorsal  vertebra  has  the  largest  haemapophysis, 
which  is  flattened  slightly  distally. 

(Edicnemus,  with  a  notched  atlas,  has  paired  ventral  out- 
growths for  the  carotid,  closely  approximated  only  on  CIO. 
The  three  following  have  median  blade-like  hsemapophyses. 
On  the  fourteenth  to  sixteenth  there  are  lateral  outgrowths 
of  these.  The  first  dorsal  has  the  last  and  the  strongest 
hfemapophysis. 

In  Attagis  the  atlas  is  perforated  ;  the  hsemapophyses 
are  very  feeble. 

In  Limosa  and  in  other  genera  the  clavicle  is  attached 
by  ligaments  to  the  acrocoracoid,  procoracoid  (which  is  mode- 
rately developed  and  curved  upwards) ,  and  scapula.  The  two 
coracoids  are  not  in  contact  at  articulation  with  sternum  ; 
the  latter  is  two-notched  and  has  the  spina  externa  only  ;  six 
ribs  reach  it.  The  same  statements  may  be  made  about 
H&matopus  and  Nuiiit'iii-us,  Eudromias  (all  examined  by 
myself),  as  well  as  other  genera. 

The  pelvis  of  Numenius  may  serve  as  a  type  for  that  of 
the  Limicolse. 

The  preacetabular  portion  of  the  ilium  is  about  equal 
in  length  to  the  postacetabular  portion  of  that  bone;  the 
two  bones  are  excavated  horizontally,  and  are  just  prevented 
from  coming  into  contact  by  the  fused  neural  spines  of  the 
vertebrae.  The  pubes  are  stroiigish  bones  and  not  fused  with 
the  ischia.  The  ischia  end  in  long  thin  processes  which 
extend  back  beyond  the  ilia  and  nearly  as  far  as  the  ends  of 
the  pubes.  Hamatopus  and  Limosa  are  much  the  same. 
Chionis  hardly  differs.  In  Parra  the  pelvis  has  rather  more 
the  look  of  that  of  a  rail.  The  pelvis  of  Attagis  is  wider 


LLMICOL/E  341 

than  that  of  other  Limicolae,  and  the  ilia  are  rather  further 
apart.  In  (Edicnemus  bistriatifs,  but  not  in  (E.  grallarius, 
the  ischium  has  a  well-marked  pubic  process,  which  reaches 
the  pubis. 

As  to  the  muscular  anatomy,  there  is  great  uniformity  in 
the  tensores  patagii  of  this  group.  Charadrius  pluvialis 
may  serve  as  a  type.  In  that  bird  there  is  a  biceps  slip  ;  the 
tensor  brevis  early  divides  into  two,  of  which  the  anterior  is 
again  divided  not  far  from  its  ending  ;  a  recurrent  slip  runs 
to  the  longus. 

The  same  disposition  of  tendons  is  found  in  Glareola, 
Niiiiieiiius,  Scolopax,  Himantopus,  Vanellus,  Machetes,  Parra, 
Eecurvirostra,  Totanus,  Limosa,  the  only  differences  being 
that  in  some  (e.g.  Parra  jacana)  the  middle  only  of  the  three 
tendons  which  are  inserted  upon  the  fore  arm  is  continued 
over  the  muscles  of  the  fore  arm  to  the  lower  border  of  the 
ulna,  while  in  others  (e.g.  Numenius)  both  the  principal 
tendons  are  thus  continued.  In  Glareola  the  middle  and 
westward  tendons  are  thus  continued. 

Vanellus  cristatas  has  been  recorded  with  two  separate 
biceps  slips,  which  both  run  to  the  tendon  of  the  longus.  In 
Tringa  canutiis  I  found  a  second  biceps  slip,  largely  but  not 
entirely  tendinous,  which  is  attached  to  the  outer  of  the  two 
main  tendons  of  the  tensor  brevis,  this  latter  tendon  indeed 
only  dividing  into  two  near  its  insertion  on  to  the  ulna. 

In  Gallinago  the  recurrent  slip  connecting  the  two 
tensores  seems  to  be  absent. 

In  Gambetta  flavipes  GAEEOD  found  no  biceps  slip  at 
all,  and  it  seems  also  to  be  absent  in  Metopidins  afri- 


cdnus.1 


Tlunocorus  rumicivorus  has  the  typical  pluvialine  arrange- 
ment of  the  tensores  tendons  that  has  been  already  described, 
but  the  biceps  slip  is  remarkable  for  the  fact  that  it  has  a 
tendinous  band  running  along  it.  The  characters  of  the 
tensores  patagii  in  this  group  are  fairly  distinctive  and  at 
any  rate  serve  to  distinguish  the  Limicolae  from  the  Ralli. 
They  do  not,  however,  permit  of  the  enforcement  of  any 

1  Founds,  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p. 


342         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

views  respecting  the  families  into  which  the  Limicolae  have 
been  divided. 

An  expansor  secundariorum  is  almost  universally  present, 
but  is  often  feebly  developed.  It  appears  to  be  absent  in 
Tringa  canutus  and  Chionis. 

The  biceps  is  so  far  noteworthy  that  only  the  coracoidal 
head  is  present  in  Rliynclicea  and  in  Parra  sinensis.1  The 
condition  of  this  muscle  in  Himantopus  is  extremely 
interesting.  It  is  stated  by  Dr.  GADOW  (on  the  authority  of 
MECKEL)  to  be  a  double  muscle.  In  H.  nigricollis  I  find 
the  following  arrangement  :  There  are  two  distinct  portions— 
(1)  a  part  which  may  perhaps  correspond  to  the  entire  biceps 
of  other  birds,  with  two  heads,  a  coracoidal  and  a  humeral ; 
from  the  former  of  these  arises  the  biceps  slip  :  (2)  in  addi- 
tion there  is  a  distinct  coracoidal  portion,  with  a  fleshy 
belly,  which  has,  however,  a  common  origin  from  the  coracoid 
with  the  coracoidal  head  of  the  main  muscle.  Something  of 
the  same  kind  appears  to  occur  in  Chionis  and  Scolopax  ;  it 
may  obviously  be  compared  with  the  gulls  (q.v.)  In  Cur- 
sorius  the  biceps  was  also  double,  though  the  division  only 
commenced  a  little  below  the  level  of  the  humeral  attachment. 

In  Lobivanellus  there  were  indications  merely  of  the  same 
division  in  the  lower  part  of  the  belly  of  the  muscle.  Glareola 
has  a  biceps  which  is  double  for  the  greater  part  of  its  course. 

The  anconceus  appears  to  invariably  possess  the  tendinous 
humeral  head. 

My  remaining  notes  upon  the  myology  of  the  group  are 
scanty.  In  Lobivanellus  atronuclialis,  the  semimembranosus 
and  semitendinosus  are  inserted  by  a  common  tendon,  and 
the  latter  gives  off  a  branch  to  gastrocnemius.  There  is  but 
one  peroneal  muscle  (the  longus).  The  latter  is  alone 
present  in  Chionis  alba  and  Himantopus  niijricollis.  The 
pectoralis  primus  in  these  birds  does  not  appear  to  be 
divided  into  two  layers. 

There  is  some  variation  in  the  deep  flexor  tendons  of  this 
group. 

1  In  this  bird  the  biceps  slip  arises  (as  figured  by  FURBKINGEK)  from  the 
humerus  itself. 


LIMICOLJ-: 


343 


In  Tut  anus  calidris  there  is  a  slender  vinculum,  and,  in 
addition,  the  flexor  hallucis  gives  off  a  special  slip  to  the 
branch  of  the  flexor  commnnis  which  supplies  the  second 
digit.  The  arrangement,  in  fact,  is  like  that  in  Scopus,  in 
many  Accipitres,  &c.  In  the  Parridse,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
tendons  blend  early  upon  the  ankle,  and  in  those  that  have 
been  examined  no  branch  to  the  hallux  has  been  discovered. 

Chiunis  alba  has  the  deep  flexor  tendons  of  Totanus. 

In  all  Charadriidae  the  ambiens  is  present.  The  genera 
Charadriiis,  Calidris,  Gambetta,  Gallinago,  Limosa,  Ma- 
chetes, Scolopax,  Strepsilas,  Totanus,  Triuga,  and  VaneUnx 
have  the  reduced  formula  AXY  +  . 

In  Hcematopus,  Hiinantopus,  Recurvirostra,  JEgialitis, 
Nitmenius,  there  is  the  full  formula  ABXY+  ;  so,  too,  in  the 
representatives  of  the  remaining  families  of  the  Charadrii, 
with  the  sole  exception  of  the  Australian  thickknee,  Bnr- 
rliinus,  and  some  (Edicnemus,  which  have  the  formula  BXY  +  . 

With  the  exception  of  the  Parridae  (q.v.)  the  charadrii- 
form  birds  have  well-developed  caeca.  The  intestinal  mea- 
surements of  a  few  types  are  as  follows  :— 


— 

Small  lur. 

Large  Int. 

Caeca 

Inches 

Inches 

Inches 

Hcematopus  ostralegus 

34 

1-6 

2-75 

(Edicnemus  crepitan-s 

22  (32) 

3 

2i  (3)  ' 

„           girillaiiiis        .         .             16  (17) 

2ir  (3) 

2— 

,,          superciliaris  .         .           1ft 

2" 

22 

,,           bistriatus        .         .           25 

2iy 

2f 

Himantopus  brasiliensis    . 

18 

2i 

Ninneiiiiin  t/r<[H(itits   .         .         .  \         30 

2 

2| 

Strepsilas  intcrprcs    . 

13 

1 

2 

Gambetta  flavipes 

18 

if 

1 

Glareola  pratincola   .         .         .              s.1, 

H 

Si-ulo/itu-  nuiticola      ...             4s 

3 

i 

Gallinago  /jnllni/ila  . 

12 

1 

I2 

Tringa  citimt/is 

Igi 

Ii 

If 

Limosa  rufa       .... 

33" 

Ii 

Numenius  phesopus    . 

20 

2 

If 

\'niicllttt<  cayennensis 

18 

— 

2f    i 

Reciirrinifftrn  /irnrrtta 

41  (30) 

— 

Hydrophasianus  cJtirurga  . 

12 

— 

i 

Thinocorus  rumicivorus 

12-0 

— 

2-J-  and  2^- 

Chionis  alba      .... 

33 

1-75 

8-25  and  9 

Attagis       ..... 

12-5 

— 

3 

Eury-norhynchus  /ii/giHn'/ix  - 

8-75 

•88 

•7 

1  The  brackets  roiit:iinur  ineiisurrnii'iit-i  uf  ;i  srccunl 

-  ANDKKSON,  -MU  the  Pterylosis,  &c.,of  the  Spooil-billed  Smuli.iiier,'  Tr.l.h.n.  *'><-•.  (2),  i.  p.  213. 


344         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Comments  upon  the  facts  set  forth  in  the  above  table  must 
obviously  be  discounted  by  the  variations  (quite  considerable 
in  amount)  which  occur  in  one  or  two  of  the  species.  The 
table  given  by  GADOW  l  increases  the  number  and  extent  of 
the  individual  differences  in  intestinal  length. 

In  the  liver  the  right  lobe  is,  as  a  rule,  larger  than  the 
left.  Sometimes  it  is  only  slightly  so ;  but  in  Charadrius 
pluvialis  the  right  lobe  is  twice  as  large.  In  Scolopax  rusti- 
cola  and  in  (Edicnemus  crepitans  the  lobes  are  equal.  The 
gall  bladder  is  nearly  always  present.  GADOW  did  not  find  it 
in  a  specimen  of  Numenius  arquatus  and  of  Tringa  arenaria 
and  T.  alpina.  This,  however,  appears  to  be  individual. 

In  all  the  Charadriidse  the  syrinx  is  of  the  tracheo-bron- 
chial  pattern. 

In  Vanellus  cayennensis 2  (fig.  45,  p.  66)  the  last  twenty- 
five  tracheal  rings  are  narrower  than  those  which  precede  them, 
and  of  equal  diameter  throughout.  The  first  two  bronchial 
semi-rings  are  like  split  tracheal  rings  ;  the  next  two  are  very 
closely  applied  together  ;  the  remainder  are  normal  bronchial 
semi-rings  with  no  modification.  The  most  remarkable  fact 
about  the  windpipe  is  the  enormous  size  of  the  intrinsic 
muscles,  of  which,  however,  there  is  only  a  single  pair.  The 
muscles  end  in  a  tendon,  wThich  is  inserted  on  to  the  second, 
third,  and  fourth  semi-rings.  In  Vanellus  cristatus  the  intrin- 
sic muscles  are  certainly  large,  but  not  so  abnormal  as  in  the 
other  species  of  the  genus.  Only  the  last  four  tracheal  rings 
are  modified,  and  in  front  they  are  all  fused  in  the  middle 
line  to  form  a  bony  box ;  behind  the  last  three  tracheal  rings 
are  semi-rings,  the  pessulus  being  attached  to  the  fourth. 
The  muscles  are  attached  to  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring. 

In  Himantopus  nigricollis  there  wras  no  trace  what- 
ever, that  I  could  detect,  of  these  muscles  ;  nor  in  H. 
brasil'iensis.  Charadrius  pluvialis,  Hamatopus  ostra- 
legus,  and  Squatarola  helvetica  are  also  without  these 
muscles.  On  the  other  hand  they  are  present  in  Totanna 

1  In  Bronn's  Thicrreich,  '  Aves,'  p.  624. 

2  GAKEOD,  '  On  the  Trachea  of  Tantalus  loculator  and  of  Yandlits  caijoi- 
neiisis,'1  P.  Z.  S.  1878,  p.  625. 


LIMICOL^E  345 


can-ntus,  Tringa  cinchix,  Xtiiiicitiiix  arquatus, 
hiaticula,  Limosa  r-itfa,  L.  cegocephala,  Machetes  pugnax, 
Streps-Has  interpret,  and  Scolopax  ritsticola.  But  although 
the  muscles  are  present  in  the  birds  included  in  the  second 
list  they  do  not,  in  all  of  them  at  least,  reach  as  far  as  the 
bronchi,  though  they  may  possibly  be  continued  by  fibrous 
tissue  to  a  more  normal  point  of  attachment.  Thus  in 
Limosa  cegocephala  the  muscles  stop  three  or  four  rings 
before  the  end  of  the  trachea.  In  Scolopax  rusticola,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  rather  broad  intrinsic  muscles  reach  as  far  as 
the  first  bronchial  semi-ring. 

The  windpipe  of  the  Indian  painted  snipe  (liliynclicea 
capensis)  is  peculiar  in  that  it  is  convoluted  slightly  in  the 
female,  not  in  the  male,  as  might  be  expected  in  view  of  this 
frequent  difference  between  the  sexes  in  other  birds.  As  has 
been  pointed  out,  the  female  is  the  larger  and  more  richly 
coloured  of  the  twro,  a  fact  which  is  in  harmony  with  the 
more  complicated  trachea. 

This  is  not  seen  in  young  females.  The  same  condition 
is  stated  by  GOULD  to  characterise  the  Australian  R.  ans- 
tralis.1 

The  large  group  of  the  Limicolse  has  been  variously 
divided.  I  follow  GADOW  in  the  families,  but  include  also  the 
Laridae,  which  I  separate  from  the  auks.  I  should  define 
the  Charadriidae,  to  which  most  of  the  foregoing  refers,  as 
schizorhinal  birds,  with  occipital  fontanelles,  furrows  for 
supra-orbital  glands  and  basipterygoid  processes,  and  fifteen 
cervical  vertebrae. 

The  family  (Edicnemidse  has  been  instituted  for  the  genus 
(Edicnewws,  which  includes  the  Norfolk  plover  and  a  number 
of  other  species  closely  allied  ;  these  range  widely,  being  only 
absent  from  North  America,  Central  Asia,  and  New  Zealand. 
The  Australian  (E.  <jr<tll<iriux  has  been  separated  as  a  distinct 
genus,  Bnrliinus,  which,  as  also  (E.  crcjiitu  ns,  instead  of 
possessing  the  complete  muscle  formula  (ABXY  +  ),  as  in 

1  WOOD-MASON,  'On  the  Structure  and  Development  of  the  Trachea  in  the 
Indian  Painted  Snipe  (Rliyncluea  capcnu'iK)'  P.  '/..  N.  1*7*.  p.  74.",. 


346         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION  OF   BIRDS 

the  other  members  of  the  genus,  has  the  formula  BXY  + . 
The  ptcrijlosis  is  as  in  the  Charadriidae,  but  the  number  of 
rectrices  may  be  as  numerous  as  fourteen.  There  is  no 
liallux.  In  the  skull  the  absence  of  basipterygoid  processes 
(sometimes  indications  of  them  are  present,  according  to 
GADOW)  and  the  holorhinal  character  of  the  nostrils  distin- 
guish this  family  from  the  Charadriidae.  The  depressions 
for  the  supra-orbital  glands  are  well  marked.  The  lacrymal 
bones  are  nearly  (occasionally  quite,  though  by  suture) 
united  with  a  process  of  the  frontals,  and  form  a  canal, 
through  which  the  gland  apparently  passes ;  this  is  seen  in  a 
more  exaggerated  way  in  Chionis  and  in  Vanellus  (v.  de- 
scription of  Chionididae) .  The  post-orbital  angle  is  not 
distinct  from  the  post-frontal  process.  There  are  no  occipi- 
tal foramina,  as  in  Charadriidae.  There  are  sixteen  cervical 
vertebra,  the  last  three  of  which  have  ribs  of  progressively 
increasing  length  ;  five  or  six  ribs  articulate  with  sternum. 
Contrary  to  what  is  found  in  the  Charadriidse,  the  coracoids 
slightly  overlap  at  their  external  articulation. 

Some  of  the  visceral  characters  have  been  already  dealt 
with  above  in  the  general  description  of  the  Limicolse. 

There  is  a  tendency  for  the  ambiens  not  to  cross  the  knee  ; 
this  occurs  individually  with  specimens  of  several  species. 

The  syrinx  has  not,  except  as  an  occasional  variation, 
any  intrinsic  muscles. 

(Edicneinus  bistriatiis  has  on  the  anterior  wall  of  the 
cloaca  two  hardly  elevated  ridges,  which  end  by  slightly  free 
points,  and  seem  to  represent  a  rudimentary  penis. 

The  surgeon  birds  and  ja9anas  of  the  tropical  regions  of 
the  Old  and  New  Worlds,  with  their  enormously  elongated 
feet  and  their  somewhat  rail-like  aspect,  are  now  known  to 
belong  to  the  Limicolae  (and  not  to  the  Ralli),  of  which  they 
may  be  regarded  as  forming  a  distinct  family,  Parridae. 
Their  anatomy  has  been  chiefly  studied  by  FORBES.'  As 
with  the  Thinocoridae  so  with  the  present  family  there  is  a 
character  of  the  alimentary  canal  which  immediately  distin- 

1  '  Notes  on  the  Anatomy  of  the  Ja^anas,'  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  G39. 


LIMICOL.K  347 

guishes  them  from  all  their  allies.  In  this  family  the  caeca 
are  mere  passeriform  nipples,  measuring  from  '15  to  '2  of  an 
inch  in  length. 

The  muscular  anatomy  has  already  been  to  some  extent 
treated  of  in  connection  with  the  structure  of  the  entire  group 
of  birds  of  which  the  present  genera  form  a  family.  In  all 
of  them,  Pa rra,  Hijdropliasianus,  and  Metopidius,  the  mus- 
cle formula  is  complete,  i.e.  ABXY+ .  The  condition  of  the 
deep  flexor  tendons  of  the  foot  is  very  singular.  As  FORBES 
justly  pointed  out,  the  peculiarly  large  size  of  the  hallux  (as 
of  all  the  digits)  of  the  foot  in  these  birds  seems  to  be  un- 
reconcilable  with  the  entire  absence  of  a  special  slip  from  the 
conjoined  tendon  of  the  long  flexors.  '  This  fact,'  he  thinks, 
'  seems  to  indicate  that  the  Parridse  may  have  been  developed 
from  some  form  with  a  more  normal-sized  foot,  and  a  small 
hallux  which  had  no  special  long  flexor,  the  great  size  of 
their  feet  having  been  developed  in  accordance  with  their 
peculiar  habits.' 

The  syrinx  has  a  pair  of  intrinsic  muscles. 

The  skull  has  well-formed  basipterygoid  processes,  but 
no  occipital  foramina  or  supra-orbital  impressions.  In 
Metopidius  the  radius  is  extraordinarily  enlarged  (see  fig.  70, 
p.  125).  In  the  remaining  genera  there  is  no  such  modifica- 
tion of  the  bone,  but  there  is  a  metacarpal  spur,  which  may 
be  of  the  same  use,  i.e.  for  fighting.  In  Parra  the  clavicle 
is  at  its  articulation  further  from  the  procoracoid  than  in  the 
Charadriidse,  and  the  sternum  has  only  one  pair  of  notches. 
Five  ribs  reach  it.1 

The  single  genus  Chionis,-  of  antarctic  range  and  some- 
what gull-like  form,  makes  up  the  family  Chionididse. 

There  are  twelve  rectrices. 

The  skull  is  peculiar  in  that  the  grooves  for  the  supra- 
orbital  glands  end  in  a  large  foramen  on  each  side,  which  is 

1  The  bones  of  Parra  albin  nclia  are  described  and  figured  by  MILNE-EDWARDS, 
Hist.  Madagascar. 

-  The  peculiar  sheath  which  covers  the  base  of  the  bill  and  the  nostrils 
(whence  '  Sheathbill ')  is  declared  by  STUDEK  to  be  developmentally  different 
from  the  tube  of  the  Tubinares. 


348         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

formed  by  the  union  of  the  lacrymal  with  a  process  of  the 
frontal,  forming  a  continuous  bony  bar.  As  has  been  already 
mentioned,  (Edicnemus  shows  a  very  considerable  approach  to 
this  state  of  affairs.  So  too,  as  I  interpret  it,  do  the  quite 
typical  charadriid  Vanellus  and  Eudromias.  In  these  birds 
the  grooves  for  the  supra-orbital  glands  do  not,  as  they 
do  in  Limosa  and  Recurvirostra,  border  the  margin  of  the 
orbit.  They  are  situated  at  some  distance  from  it,  and  each 
ends  in  a  very  small  foramen,  bordered  in  front  by  the 
ankylosed  lacrymal,  which  I  take  to  correspond  to  the  large 
foramen  of  Chionis. 

There  are  110  occipital  foramina  or  basipterygoid  pro- 
cesses. 

The  cervical  vertebra  are  fifteen,  of  which  the  last  three 
bear  discrete  ribs ;  six  ribs  reach  the  two-notched  sternum, 
and  there  is  one  behind.  The  clavicles  have  no  hypocleidium, 
and  end  a  long  way  in  front  of  carina.  The  coracoids  are 
not  in  contact  at  sternal  articulation. 
The  muscle  formula  is  ABXY+. 

The  syrinx  of  Chionis  is  not  widely  different  from  that 
of  other  Limicolse,  and  exhibits,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  fol- 
lowing description,  no  particular  resemblance  to  the  Galli.  As 
is  the  case  in  so  many  Limicolae,  the  intrinsic  muscles  end  as 
such  some  way  in  front  of  the  bifurcation  of  the  windpipe, 
though  they  are  continued  on  to  the  bronchi  by  fibrous  tissue. 
They  end  in  Chionis  upon  the  fifth  tracheal  ring  counting 
from  the  last. 

The  last  four  tracheal  rings  are  more  or  less  closely  united 
to  form  an  ossified  box.  The  first  bronchial  semi-ring  to 
which  the  fibrous  continuation  of  the  intrinsic  muscles  is 
attached  is  the  widest  (from  before  backwards)  of  the  rings 
of  the  windpipe,  and  is  deeper  than  the  bronchial  semi-rings 
which  follow.1 

1  The  following  are  the  principal  memoirs  dealing  with  the  anatomy  of  this 
bird  :  EYTON,  '  Note  on  the  Skeleton  of  the  Sheathbill,'  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  99  ; 
A.  REICHENOW,  '  Osteologie  von  Chionis  minor,'  Ac.,  J.  f.  O.  xxiv.  1876,  p.  84  ; 
SHUFELDT,  '  The  Chionidse  :  a  Review  of  the  Opinions  on  the  Syctematic 
Position  of  the  Family,'  Auk,  1893,  p.  158,  and  in  '  Contributions  to  Comparative 
Osteology,'  &c.,  J.  Anat.  1'lii/s.  1891,  p.  509  ;  KIDDEK  and  COUES,  '  A  Study  of 


LIMICOL.E 


349 


It  is  usual  to  separate  the  two  genera  Thinocorus  and 
Attagis,  both  South  American  birds,  into  a  family,  Thinoco- 
ridae.  In  contradistinction  to  their  allies  they  are  graiii- 
eating  birds,  connected  with  which  habit  is  the  presence  of  a 
crop,  an  absolutely  distinctive  character  so  far  as  the  present 
group  is  concerned.  Their  anatomy  has  been  chiefly  studied 
by  GAEROD.'  The  differences  which  distinguish  them  from 


FIG.  170. — SKULL  OF  Attar/is  Gayi  (AFTEB  GARBOD). 

other  Limicolae  are  neither  great  nor  numerous.  In  the  skull 
the  basipterygoid  processes  are  absent,  and  the  vomer  is  broad 
and  rounded  in  front  as  figured  by  PARKER  ;  2  the  skull,  in  fact, 
as  has  been  mentioned  on  a  previous  page,  is  segithognathous 
rather  than  schizognathous.  There  are  no  occipital  foramina, 

Chionis  minor,'  Bull.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  iii.  1876,  p.  85  ;  E.  0.  CUNNINGHAM,  '  On 
Chionis  alba,'  J.  Anat.  Phys.  1870,  p.  87  ;  BLAINYILLE,  '  Memcire  sur  la  Place 
que  doit  occuper  le  Genre  CJiionis,'  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  1836,  p.  97  ;  STUDEB, 
Forschitnysn>i.<i<>  S.  M.  S.  '  Gazelle,'  Bd.  iii.  '  Zoologie  u.  Geologie,'  p.  107. 

1  '  Notes  on  the  Anatomy  and  Systematic  Position  of  the  Genera  Thinocorus 
and  Attagis,'  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  p.  413. 

'-  '  On  JEgithognathous  Birds,'  Zool.  Trans,  vol.  x. 


350         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

but  the  supra-orbital  impressions  are  present.  The  maxillo- 
palatines  are  very  far  apart,  and  besides  being  short  are 
swollen  instead  of  being  leaflike  plates.  The  same  pseudo- 
holorhiny  that  characterises  the  Glareolidse  is  also  found  in  the 
present  family.  Five  ribs  reach  the  sternum.  The  coracoids 
are  quite  separate  at  their  insertion  on  to  sternum.  The 
muscular  formula  of  the  two  genera  is  the  complete  one 
ABXY  +  . 

In  Tliinocorus  rumicivorus  the  syrinx  has  a  pair  of 
lateral  muscles,  which  are  attached  to  the  fourth  incomplete 
ring  when  seen  from  in  front.  This  is  probably  the  first 
bronchial,  the  last  three  tracheal  rings  being  thus  incomplete. 

Glareola,  Cursoriiis,Plnvianus,a.ndDroinas,  all  Old-World 
genera,  are  included  in  a  separate  family,  Glareolidae,  which 
GAEEOD  regarded  as  very  near  akin  to  the  Thinocoridse.1  As 
in  them,  basipterygoid  processes  and  occipital  fontanelles  are 
absent,  and  impressions  of  supra-orbital  glands  present.  The 
•muscle  formula  too  is  complete,  and  the  syrinx  has  intrinsic 
muscles. 

Except  in  Cursorius  there  is  a  hallux.  FORBES,  with 
some  reason,  has  united  into  a  group  Pluviales,  equivalent  to 
the  rest  of  the  Limicolae,  this  family,  together  with  the  Thino- 
corida3  and  Chioniclidse,  mainly  on  account  of  the  above 
combination  of  skull  characters  found  in  no  other  Limicolae. 

As  in  them  also  there  is  pseudo-holorhiny,  the  bony 
nostrils,  though  extending  back  beyond  the  nasal  process  of 
the  premaxilla,  being  distinctly  rounded  off. 

Pluvianus,  however,  has  typically  holorhinal  nostrils. 

In  Cursorius  the  grooves  for  nasal  glands  are  converted 
into  elongated  foramina  by  a  fusion  between  adjacent  pro- 
cesses of  the  skull. 

The  gulls  form  another  distinct  family,  Laridae,  containing 
the  genera  Larus,  Lestris,  Sterna,  Rhynchops,  Aiwus,  and 
Gygis. 

The   skull  is  schizorhinal   and  schizognathous,  without 

1  LINN.T.US  placed  Glareola  in  genus  Hirundo,  SUNDEVALL  in  Caprimulgidoe. 


LIMICOLuE 

basipterygoid  processes  or  occipital  fontanelles,1  but  with 
well-marked  grooves  for  supra-orbital  glands.  In  Lestris 
antarcticus  at  any  rate  there  is  a  foramen  formed  round 
anterior  end  of  supra-orbital  groove,  as  in  Chiotiis  (q.v.)  In 
Lestris  there  is  a  distinct  tendency  towards  the  pseudo-holo- 
rhinal  condition  of  the  Thinocoridae  and  Glareolidse. 

In  Larus  the  relations  of  the  clavicles,  scapula,  and  cora- 
coids  are  as  in  the  Charadriidse ;  but  the  clavicles  provided  with 
a  hypocleidium  come  into  nearer  relations  with  the  carina 
sterni,  to  which  they  are  attached  by  a  ligament.  The  cora- 
coids  are  in  contact  behind  the  spina  (externa)  sterni.  The 
same  statement  may  be  made  of  Lestris. 

The  cervical  vertebra  are  fifteen  in  number.  The  dorsal 
vertebrae  are,  as  in  Alcidse  and  plovers,  opisthoccelous.  Six 
(Lestris  antarcticus)  or  seven  ribs  articulate  with  the  sternum. 
The  first  phalanx  of  the  second  is  commonly  perforated.2 

As  to  the  pterylosis,  the  plan  is  that  of  the  Limicolae,  but 
the  ventral  tract  does  not  divide  until  some  way  down  the 
neck.  The  feet  are  webbed,  the  hallux  is  small  or  absent, 
and  there  are  twelve  rectriccs. 

The  muscular  formula  of  Rissa  tridactijla  is  AX+  ;  of 
Larus,  Stercorarius,  and  Gygis,  AXY  +  .  The  other  genera 
have  the  complete  formula  ABXY  +  .  Rhynchops  has  no 
ambiens. 

In  Lestris  crepidatus  and  L.  antarcticus  the  semi- 
membranosus  is  sometimes  two-headed,  one  arising  from 
ischium  and  one  from  postacetabular  ridge  of  ilium. 

The  tensores  patagii  3   (see  fig.  171)    are   on  the  plan  of 

1  These  are  present  in  the  young :  see  PARKER,  Linn.  Trans.  (2),  i.  p.  142. 

:  This  does  not,  however,  as  it  has  been  stated  to  do,  distinguish  the  Larida? 
from  other  Limicolee  ;  though  apparently  universal  in  the  gulls  (including 
Anous  and  Gygis),  the  same  perforations  are  found  in  Glareola.  The  value  of 
this  anatomical  fact  may  be  judged  by  the  perforation  of  the  same  bone  in  such 
varied  types  as  Pteroclcs,  Coracopsis  obscura,  (not  in  C.  nigra),  Psittacula 
passcrina,  Machcerhamphus  Andersoni,  Heliodilus,  Caprimulgus,  Phactlion 
candidus  (not  P.  rubricauda),  and  Fregata  minor.  These  instances  are  taken 
from  the  osteological  plates  illustrating  MM.  GKANDIDIEK  and  MiL\E-En\VAr,i>s's 
Histoire  Naturellf.  de  Madagascar. 

:!  For  muscular  anatomy  of  Lamias  see  GIEBEL,  '  Beitriige  zur  Anatomie 
d.  Moven,'  &c.,  Zeitschr.  /.  d.  ges.  Naturw.  x.  (1857),  p.  20;  BEI>DAHI>,  'A 
Contribution  to  the  Knowledge  of  the  Anatomy  of  Rliynchops,'1  P.  Z.  S.  1896, 
p.  299. 


352         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

those  of  other  limicoline  birds,  but  are  apt  to  be  a  little  more 
complicated.  In  Larus  argentattis,  of  which  the  tendons  are 
represented  in  the  annexed  cut,  the  anterior  stronger  branch 
of  the  brevis  tendon  gives  off  a  forwards  and  downwards  slip 
to  the  extensors  of  the  fore  arm,  from  which  arises  the  usual 
connection  with  the  long  us  tendon.  There  is  a  second  con- 
nection between  the  two  tendons.  At  the  origin  of  the 


FIG.  171. — TENSORES  PATAGII  OF  lllujncliops  (AFTER  BEDDAED). 

t.p.l,  teusor  longus  ;  t.p.b,  tensor  brevis;  B,  wristward  slip  ;  F,  patagial  fan  ; 
A,  tendons  to  ulnar  side  of  arm. 

patagial  fan  is  a  bony  nodule,  as  in  the  petrel.  The  tensor 
longus  tendon  also  gives  off  a  slip  (A,  fig.  172)  to  the  inside 
of  fore  arm  which  is  also  present  in  the  auks  (g.r.)  In 
Rliyncliops  (fig.  171,  A)  there  are  two  such  tendons. 

Lestris  antarctica,  Sterna,  and  Larus  marinus  (according 
to  FUEBEINGEE'S  figure,  PI.  xix.)  are  much  the  same,  but  are 
without  the  additional  slips  A  and  B.  Of  these  A  is  present 
in  Eissa  tridactijla. 

The  expansor  sccundariorum  is  frequently  absent,  but  it 


LIMICOL.E 


353 


is  present  in  Larus  argentatus,  marinus,  and  glaucus,  not 
infuscus.  It  is  absent  in  Sterna  and  Lestris  ;  present  in 
Anous  ;  absent  again  in  Ehynchops. 

Tbe  biceps  is  peculiar  in  some  members  of  this  family. 
In  Larus,  Sterna,  and  Anous  the  biceps  has,  as  usual,  the 
two  heads,  humeral  and  coracoidal ;  but  they  form  two  per- 
fectly distinct  muscles,  of  which  one,  the  coracoidal,  soon 
divides  into  two  distinct  muscles  again,  which  are  inserted 


FIG.  172. — TENSORES  PATAGII  OF  Larus  argentatns  (AFTER  BEDDARD 

FROM  FORBES). 

it,  osseous  nodulu.     Other  letters  as  in  fig.  171. 

respectively  upon  the  radius  and  ulna.  The  biceps  head 
goes  to  the  radius,  and  as  a  rule  gives  off  the  biceps  slip  to 
the  patagium ;  but  in  Larus  ridibundus,  according  to  FUE- 
BEINGER,  this  slip  arises  from  the  coracoids,  an  anomaly 
observable  also  in  the  petrel,  Thalassiarche.  Ehijn chops 
has  no  biceps  slip  at  all. 

The  anconceus  is  generally  attached  by  a  tendon  to  the 
humerus. 

A  A 


354         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

The  cfBca  vary  considerably  in  their  development,  as  the 
following  table  of  measurements  shows  :— 


— 

Small  Int. 

Cieca 

Larire  Int. 

Larus  argentatus    . 

56-25  (36) 

•5  (-25) 

3-25  (1) 

,       glaiicus 

66 

•5 

2-75 

,       ridibundus   . 

26 

•25 

— 

,       Jamesoni 

12-9 

-12 

1-75 

Lestris  pomatorhinus 

30-5 

3 

3-5 

,      antarcticus 

38 

3-4 

2 

,      crepidatus   . 

18-5 

2-25 

2-5 

Sterna  cantiaca 

24 

•25 

— 

Rissa  tridactyla 

25 

•25 

•75 

The  lobes  of  the  liver  are  subequal  in  Sterna,  Anous, 
Gygis,  and  Rissa.  In  Larus  and  Lestris  the  right  is  the 
larger.  A  gall  bladder  is  always  present. 

In  Anous  the  cceca  are  quite  short  ;  in  Gijgis  long  and 
charadriine. 

The  syrinx  of  this  family  is  typically  tracheo-bronchial 
(at  any  rate  in  Lams'),  with  well-developed  muscles,  which 
always  reach  the  bronchi.  The  family  thus  differs  from 
other  Limicolae  where  there  is  a  tendency  towards  a  retro- 
gression of  the  intrinsic  muscles,  sometimes  culminating  in 
actual  disappearance. 

In  Lams  marinus  the  last  six  or  seven  tracheal  rings 
are  rather  narrower  from  above  downwards  than  those 
which  precede  them,  and  are  more  or  less  firmly  attached 
(except  the  last  ring,  which  is  incomplete  both  in  front  and 
behind)  to  form  a  box.  When  the  syrinx  is  viewed  from 
behind,  a  broad  three-way  piece  is  seen,  into  the  formation  of 
which  'the  penultimate  tracheal  ring  and  the  four  or  five  in 
front  of  it  appear  to  enter.  This  piece,  however,  is  only 
really  solid  at  the  edges,  the  bars  being  a  continuation  of 
the  penultimate  tracheal  rings.  In  the  middle  it  is  so  thin 
as  to  be  little  more  than  a  membrane.  The  first  bronchial 
semi-ring  (to  which  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached)  is 
bow-shaped  and  in  close  contact  with  the  last  tracheal  ring. 
The  remaining  semi-rings  are  narrower  and  run  in  a  straight 
direction  across  the  bronchi. 

The    membrana    tympaniformis    is    distinguished   by  its 


LIMICOL.K  355 

thinness  and  transparency  from  the  thick  yellowish  mem- 
brane which  unites  the  edges  of  the  greater  number  of  the 
bronchial  semi-rings. 

In  Larus  fuscus  and  L.  glaucns  the  differences  are  but 
slight,  and  chiefly  concern  the  greater  solidity  of  the  three- 
way  piece. 

In  Larus  argoitatus  the  edges  of  the  three-way  piece 
are  most  solid ;  but  they  are  connected  by  a  series  of  four 
or  five  bars  which  divide  up  the  central  region  of  the  three- 
way  piece  into  alternate  thicker  and  thinner  portions.  This 
is  a  peculiar  specialisation  of  the  three-way  piece  which  I 
have  not  observed  elsewhere.  There  is,  furthermore,  a  thin 
bony  curved  rod,  closely  applied  to  the  outside  of  the  three- 
way  piece,  which  arises  from,  or  is  at  least  connected  with,  the 
last  tracheal  ring. 

Lestris  antarcticus  has  a  syrinx  which  is  rather  different 
from  that  of  Larus,  and  which  points  in  the  direction  of  the 
Charadriidse,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  intrinsic  muscles  do 
not  reach  the  bronchial  semi-ring  except  as  a  fibrous  band. 
The  three-way  piece,  which  is  solid,  is  formed  by  two  or  three 
tracheal  rings  ;  there  is  no  differentiation  in  membrane 
closing  bronchial  semi-rings. 

It  is  evident  from  the  foregoing  account  that,  while  there 
are  a  few  differences  between  the  various  genera  of  Laridae, 
Bkyn  chops  is  quite  the  most  anomalous  form  in  structure  as 
well  as  in  external  appearance,  as  seen  in  its  remarkable  bill, 
with  its  scissor-like  edge  and  projecting  mandible.  Still, 
the  differences  are,  in  my  opinion,  not  sufficient  to  place 
Rhy  licit  ops  in  a  family  by  itself  opposite  to  the  remaining 
Laridse.  It  seems  that  the  usually  received  division  of  the 
family,  making  an  additional  one  for  Rliyncliops,  will  serve  to 
divide  naturally  the  Laridse  ;  we  may  term  these  divisions 
subfamilies.  They  will  be  thus  characterised:— 

Subfamily  I.  Larinse. 

Muscle  formula    of  tin-   lt'<j,  J.YY+.      Ca'ca    rudi- 
nii'iitanj.        Biceps     slips    and   c.i-panxor    st 
dariorum  present. 

\    A   -2 


3-56         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


Subfamily  II.  Stercorariinae. 

Muscular  formula,  AXY +.  Caca  long.  Biceps 
slip  present.  Expansor  secundariorum  absent. 

Subfamily  III.  Sterninge. 

Muscular  formula,  ABXY+.  Caca  rudimentary. 
Biceps  slip  present.  Expansor  secundariorum 
absent. 

Subfamily  IV.  Rhynchopinse. 

Muscular  formula,  ABXY-.  Cfsca  rudimentary. 
Biceps  slip  and  expansor  secundariorum  absent. 

Gygis  and  Anous  require  further  investigation  before  they 
can  be  placed  in  this  system  ;  they  are  usually  regarded  as 
terns — by  HOWAED  SAUNDEES,  for  example.  Anous  has  the 
complete  muscle  formula.  Gygis  has  the  formula  of  the 
gulls;  but  then  the  tern,  Sternula  (sp.),  wants  the  accessory 
femoro-caudal,  and  in  this  approaches  the  gulls.  Anous  has 
the  expansor  secundariorum. 

Of  undoubted  or   reputed  extinct  limicolous   birds  a  number 

have  been  described.     If  PaUeotrinya   (with  three  species),  from 

North  America,  is  rightly  referred  by  MARSH  to  this  group,  it  goes 

back  to  Cretaceous  times.     Milnea,  from  French  Miocene,  is  known 

by  the  humerus.     Elorius,  known  by  an  imperfect  coracoid,  a  tarso- 

metatarsus,  and  parts  of  the  skull,  seems  to  belong  here.     JEijial- 

ornis  is  considered  by  LYDEKKER  to  have  been  a  gull-like  bird, 

largely  on  account  of  the  perforated  first  phalanx  of  the  second 

digit.1     Haley ornis   has  been  described  from  the  extremity  of  a 

humerus  and  the  back  of  the  skull. 


i 

ED 

S 

V. 

£ 

—  i  ce 
ce  = 

— 

m 

£ 

o 

& 

-*3 

^ 

•-';*. 

*%  3vS 

-tJ 

t 

8 

1 

0 
OQ 

'K 

'11 

O  pa 

&    S-i 

Charadniilir     . 
CEdicnemidsa  . 

Perf. 
Notch 
Perf. 

16 
16 

Distant 
Overl. 
Overl. 

2-notcned 

2-noteheil 
1  -Hutched 

Schiz. 
Bolorh. 

Schiz. 

1 

1 

A(B)XY  + 
(A)BXY  + 
ABXY  + 

Cliionididaa 
Tliinocoridae    . 

Notch 
Perf. 

15 
15 
15,16 

Distant 
Distant 
Distant 

2-notclied 
1  -notched 
2-niitcheil 

Schiz. 
Ps.-hol 

Ps.-hol. 

- 

- 

ABXY  + 
AI;XY  + 
ABXY  + 

Laridre     . 

Notch 

15 

In  cotit. 

2-notchi'd 

Schiz. 

A(B)XYC+) 

1  A  character   which  we  have  seen  (supra,  p.  351,  footnote)  to  be  of  no 
account  in  fixing  affinities. 


LIMICOL.E  357 

The  foregoing  table  shows  some  of  the  principal  points 
in  which  the  several  families  of  the  Limicolae  differ  from 
each  other,  and  will  afford  a  justification  for  the  divisions 
adopted  in  the  present  work.  AVhatever  is  the  relation 
between  the  other  families,  we  can  clear  the  ground  by 
removing  the  Laridse  from  competition  for  the  basal  place 
in  the  series.  As  was  discovered  by  PARKER,,  the  young  of 
these  birds  have  basipterygoid  processes  and  occipital  formina, 
the  persistence  of  which,  therefore,  in  the  Charadriidse  and 
Parridas  (basipterygoids  only)  places  those  two  groups  lower 
in  the  series  than  the  more  specialised  gulls.  That  the  gulls 
are  rightly  placed  here,  and  therefore  as  rightly  removed  from 
a  closer  association  with  the  Alcee,  can  hardly  be  disputed. 
GADOW,  who  does  the  reverse  in  his  scheme,  enumerates  only 
the  following  points  in  which  the  gulls  differ  from  the 
Limicolae  :- 

In  the  Laridae— 

Down  feathers  are  thicker.  Coracoids  in  contact.  Haam- 
apophyses  mostly  (not  in  Lcstris)  wanting  to  the  dorsal  ver- 
tebrae. Hypotarsus  simpler.  In  muscle  formula  of  leg  dis- 
appearance of  B  instead  of  Y.  Webbed  feet. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  crossing  of  the  coracoids  in 
(Edicnemus  destroys  the  second  of  these,  at  best  very  slender, 
grounds,  and,  as  GADOW  admits,  the  webbing  is  almost  as  well 
developed  in  Recurvirostra. 

On  the  other  hand  the  differences  from  the  Alcae  are 
more  pronounced. 

These  latter  birds  have— 

A  much  longer  sternum. 

Largely  developed  dorsal  ha3inapophyses,  of  which  in- 
dications only  are  to  be  found  in  the  gulls  and  in  other 
Limicolse. 

The  biceps  slip  is  peculiar. 

The  leg  muscles  are  always  reduced,  the  formula  being 
in  Phaleris  only  AX—  . 

It  may  be  mentioned  in  addition  that  the  expansor 
secundariorum  is  always  absent  in  the  Alcse  and  only  some- 
times in  the  Laridge.  The  auks  are,  in  fact,  so  far  as  we 


358 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


can  see,  a  further  modification  of  the  gull  type,  but  further 
from  them  than  they  are  from  the  Limicolae. 

We  may,  therefore,  probably  regard  the  gulls  as  a  slightly 
modified  offshoot  of  the  typical  Limicolae  (Chionis,  perhaps, 
being  slightly  intermediate),  leading  towards  the  Alcae.  The 
arrangement  inter  se  of  the  remaining  families  brings  us  to 
the  broader  question  of  the  affinities  of  the  Limicolae  as  a 
group.  It  appears  to  me  that  the  only  other  groups  which 
need  be  specially  considered  in  this  connection  are  the 
Grues,  Otides,  and  Ralli.  It  may  be  convenient  to  preface  the 
discussion  with  a  tabular  statement  of  the  actual  points  of 
likeness  between  these  several  groups. 


— 

Liruicolse 

Grues 

Otides 

Ralli 

Cerv.  vertebra 

15-16 

14-20 

16-18 

14,15 

"Baslpt.  pr.    . 
Nares    . 

-  or  + 
Schiz.  or  hoi. 

Schiz.  or  hoi. 

Hoi. 

Hoi. 

Occip.  for  am. 
S  termini 

+  or  - 
1-  or  2-notchecl 

+  or  - 
1-  or  2-notched 

2-notchccl 

1-  notched 

Leg  muscles 
Patagial  fan 
Siceps  sli/i  . 

A(B)XY  + 

+ 
+ 

(AB)XY  + 

-(• 
+  or  - 

BXY  + 

•V 

ABXY  + 

The  very  difficulty  of  finding  any  characters,  greatly 
noteworthy,  in  which  the  groups  in  .question  vary  is  an 
index  of  how  closely  allied  all  four  are.  There  can,  to  my  mind, 
be  no  doubt  of  their  common  origin.  The  Limicolae  on  the 
whole  come  nearest  to  the  Grues,  and  especially  to  the  true 
cranes,  whose  distinctive  characters  are  a  little  swamped  in 
the  above  table,  owing  to  the  aberrant  cranes  (e.g.  Ehinochetus, 
Psopliia),  whose  peculiarities  have  naturally  modified  that 
table.  Taking  this  point  of  view,  it  seems  to  follow  that  of  the 
Limicolae  the  most  primitive  section  is  that  of  the  Chara- 
driida3  proper ;  for  it  is  among  them  that  the  forms  with 
the  greatest  number  of  points  of  resemblance  to  the  cranes 
occur.  I  should  consider  these  birds  to  be  slightly  lower  in 
the  scale  than  the  cranes. 


ALCLE  359 


ALC^l 

Definition. — Oil  gland  tufted.  Aftershaft  present  ;  aquincubital. 
Skull  schizognathous  and  sch.izorh.inal.  Occipital  fontanelles 
present,  but  no  basipterygoid  processes.  Two  carotids.1  Ten- 
sores  patagii  and  biceps  slip  distinctive.  No  expansor  secuii- 
dariorurn.  Dorsal  vertebrae  opisthcocoelous. 

This  group  of  birds  comes  nearest  to  the  Limicolae,  but 
differs  more  from  any  of  them  than  they  do  among  them- 
selves. The  group  is  entirely  confined  to  the  northern 
hemisphere,  and  is  mainly  Arctic. 

The  oil  gland  is  invariably  tufted  and  the  feathers  have  an 
after  shaft. 

In  the  pterylosis  the  dorsal  tract  divides  between  the 
scapula,  and  there  is  (?  universally)  a  well-marked  spinal 
space.  But  there  is  no  break  between  anterior  and  posterior 
parts  (as  in  Limicolse).  The  ventral  tract,  contrary  to  what 
we  find  in  the  Limicolse  (incl.  Laridae),  does  not  divide  early 
in  the  neck.  The  rectrices  (see  table,  later)  vary  in  number 
from  twelve  to  sixteen.  The  Great  auk  (Alca  impennis)  is 
said  to  have  possessed  eighteen. 

The  oil  gland  has  often  many  apertures ;  there  are  only 
two  in  Brachyrhamphus  marmoratus,  but  four  in  Lunda 
cirrhata,  six  in  Synthliborhamphus  antiquus,  and  eight  in 
Uria  columba.'1 

The  skull  is  schizorhinal 3  and  schizognathous,  with  well- 
marked  occipital  fontanelles 4  and  impressions  for  supra-orbital 
glands  ;  the  latter  nearly  meet  in  the  middle  line,  leaving  but 

1   Synthliborhamphus  antiquus  has  only  one  (the  left). 

:  The  remarkable  shedding  of  the  beak  of  the  puffin  (stated  also  to  occur  in 
the  penguin ;  cf.  P.  Z.  S.  1880,  p.  2)  has  been  described  by  BUREAU  in  Bull. 
Soc.  Zool.  Fr.  ii.  1877,  pp.  377,  432.  See  also  ibid.  iv.  1879,  p.  1,  for  the  same 
phenomenon  in  other  auks. 

3  For  osteology  of  auks  see  OWEN,  '  On  Alca  inqwiinis,'  Tr.  Z.  S.  v.  p.  317  ; 
SHOFKLDT,  J.  Anat.  Phijs.  vol.  xxiii. ;  and  PARKER,  '  On  the  Morphology  of  the 
Duck  Tribe  (Anaticlse)  and  Auk  Tribe  (Alcidae),'  Cunningham  Memoirs  E.  Irish 
Ac.  No.  6,  1890. 

1  These  are  sometimes  obliterated  with  age.  I  find  them  present  in  a  young 
Uria  troile,  absent  in  an  old  one.  In  a  specimen  of  Fratercula  arctica  there 
was  only  one  present.  They  also  may  be  present  or  absent  in  IBrachyrhamphus 
and  Synthliborhamphus. 


360 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


a  thin  median  line.  The  interorbital  septum  is  very  imper- 
fect. Basipterygoid  processes  are  absent  in  the  adult,  but 
present  as  rudiments  in  the  young.  The  lacrymals  are 
firmly  united  with  the  prefrontals,  as  in  gulls  and  Limicolse. 
The  vomer  is  distinctly  double  in  the  young.  Alca  tor  da 
has  an  os  uncinatum.  In  Uria  troile  and  in  Alca  tor  da  and 
A.  impennis  there  is  on  each  side  a  foramen  at  anterior  end 
of  supra-orbital  grooves,  as  in  Chionis,  &c.  There  are  fifteen 
cervical  vertebra  ;  the  first  few  dorsal  vertebrae  have  very 
conspicuous  haemapophyses,  bifid  at  their  free  ends.  Seven 


FIG.  173. — TEXSORES  PATAGII  OF  L/inda 

cirrliata  (AFTER  BEDDARD  FROM  FORBES). 

o,  slip  to  ulnar  side  of  fore  arm. 


FIG.  174.— THE  SAME  OF  Synthll- 
borliainpli  us  antiq  it  its. 


ribs  reach  the  very  long  and  narrow  sternum,  which  has  one 
notch  on  each  side  posteriorly  (Uria),  or  in  addition  a  fenestra 
on  each  side  and  a  median  notch  (Fratercula)  or  no  notches 
at  all  (Alca  impennis). 

As  to  the  muscular  anatomy  of  the  auks,  the  simplest 
form  of  the  ten  sores  pa'tagii  tendons  l  is  seen  in  Alca  tor  da, 
where  there  are  two  brevis  tendons,  both  of  which  pass  over 

1  For  muscles  of  Alca  (and  Spheniscus)  see  A.  CARLSSOX,  '  Beitriige  zur 
Kenntniss  d.  Anatomie  d.  Schvfimmvogel,'  Bill.  K.  Svensk.  Vet.  Ak.  Handl. 
ix.  1884,  No.  3. 


ALC.E 


361 


the  extensors  of  the  fore  arm  to  be  inserted  on  to  the  ulna  ; 
the  anterior  of  these  bifurcates  in  the  limicoline  fashion 
just  in  front  of  its  insertion,  and  here  a  very  faintly  marked 
fan  l  (FiJEBEiNGEE)  connects  it  with  the  longus. 

Synthliborhamphus   antiquus  is  in  some  respects  even 
more  simple.2 

There  is  but  one  brevis  tendon,  from  which — just  as  it 
passes  over  the  extensor  of  the  fore  arm — the  merest  apology 
for  a  forward  branch  exists ; 
from  this  branch  arises  a 
special  muscular  belly  of 
the  extensor  metacarpi  (cf. 
Petrels).  There  is  no 
patagial  fan,  but  a  special 
slip,  found  in  all  the  other 
members  of  the  family  (and 
also  occurring  in  Lanix 
argent  at  us),  runs  from  the 
longus  tendon  to  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  fore  arm 
to  that  upon  which  the 
patagial  fan,  when  present, 
is  inserted. 

In  Bracliyrliamplius 
marmora  tus  three  separate 
and  parallel  tendons  arise 


FIG.  175. — TENSOKEM  FATAGII  OF  Ccrato- 
rliinu  inoiiocerata  (AFTER  BEDDARD  FROM 
FOBBES). 


from  tensor  patagii  brevis  muscle,  of  which  the  anterior  is 
the  strongest  and  alone  passes  to  the  ulna.  From  a  small 
wristward  slip  arise  a  few  fibres  of  the  extensor  metacarpi,  as 
in  the  last  species.  There  is  no  patagial  fan,  but  an  ulnar  slip, 
which  gives  off  a  branch  running  back  to  the  humerus.  In 
Uria  columba  there  is  the  same. 

.  In  Lunda  cirrhata  there  are  but  slight  differences ;  the 
two  most  anterior  of  the  brevis  tendons  cross  the  extensor 


1  Not  figured  at  all  by  GARROD  in  a  MS.  sketch. 

-  For  various  details  in  anatomy  of  soft  parts  see  BEDDARD,  '  On  the  Anatomy 
of  a  Grebe  (JEclimopliorus  ii/rijor),  with  Remarks  upon  the  Classification  of 
some  of  the  Schizognathous  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1896,  p.  538. 


362         STRUCTURE    AM)   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

muscles  and  reach  ulna,  but  they  cross  it  as  a  single  diffuse 
band  formed  by  their  fusion. 

Ceratorhina  inonocerata  has  a  slight  patagial  fan,  as  well 
as  ulnar  slip  ;  otherwise  it  is  like  the  last. 

Fratercula  arctica  has  only  two  brevis  tendons,  upon  the 
anterior  of  which,  at  the  origin  of  the  patagial  fan,  is  an 
ossicle. 

The  biceps  slip  is  present  in  Alcidse,  but  is  generally,  if 
not  always,  peculiar.  Thus  in  Alca  torda  it  is  inserted  partly 
on  to  patagial  membrane,  partly  on  to  inner  of  two  brevis 
tendons  (not  long  us  tendon). 

In  Lunda  cirrliata  it  arises  tendinously  and  joins  inner 
of  three  patagialis  brevis  tendons.  The  biceps  slip  (as  in 
some  petrels)  is  all  that  is  left  of  the  humeral  head  of  the 
biceps. 

The  biceps  slip  of  Fratercula  arctica  is  inserted  on  to 
middle  of  three  tendons. 

]n  Brachyrhamphus  marmoratus  the  biceps  slip  ends  in 
a  long  and  fine  tendinous  thread,  which  is  inserted  on  to  the 
innermost  of  the  three  tendons  of  the  brevis. 

In  Plialeris  psittacida  the  biceps  slip  is  firmly  adherent 
to  the  single  brevis  tendon ;  but  from  it  just  at  the  lower  end 
of  the  line  of  the  brevis  tendon  an  obliquely  running  strand 
is  found,  which  reaches  the  tendon  of  the  longus. 

The  biceps,  as  already  mentioned,  consists  merely  of  the 
coracoidal  head,  the  humeral  head  being  represented  only  by 
the  biceps  slip. 

The  muscle  is  not  large,  and  in  Plialcris  its  muscular 
belly  is  largely  divided  into  two. 

The  humeral  head  of  the  anconceus  seems  to  be  nearly 
always  present.1 

There  is  no  expansor  secundarioruin.  The  deltoid  has, 
as  a  rule,  no  scapular  slip,  but  there  is  one  in  Uria. 

The  muscles  of  the  leg  which  are  invariably  present  are 
the  femoro-caudal  and  the  seinit<'iulinoxnx.  The  accessory 
head  of  the  latter  is  never  present.  The  ambiens  and  the 
accessory  femoro-caudal  may  be  present,  and,  except  in 

1  It  is  (?  individually)  absent  in  Brachyrliamplius  marmcratus. 


ALC^E 


363 


Phaleris  psittacula,  are  never  both  absent;  the  formulae  are 
the  three  following  :— 

ABX-    Uria. 

AX+      Ceratorhina. 

AX  —      Phaleris. 

The  biceps  femoris  of  Braclujrliamphus  gives  off  a  fleshy 
slip  to  the  outside  of  the  thigh,  to  the  gastrocnemius  (cf. 
Podica).  This  slip  is  not  to  he  found  in  Phaleris. 

The  least  modified  form  of  syrinx  is  seen  in  Alca  tor  da, 


FIG.  176. —  SYRINX  OF  Loinrin 

troile  (AFTER  BEDDARD). 

»,  intrinsic  muscle. 


FIG.  177. —  SYRINX  OF  Cerutorlinnt 
monocerata  (AFTER  BEDPAKI>). 
i,  intrinsic  muscle. 


Lomvia  troile,  Synthliborhamphus  antiquus,  and  Uria 
columba. 

In  Lomvia  troile  the  last  four  or  five  tracheal  rings  enter 
into  the  formation  of  a  three-way  piece,  which  is  deeply 
excavate  medianly.  The  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  to 
the  first  bronchial  semi-ring,  which  hardly  differs  from  those 
that  follow  ;  it  and  the  one  which  immediately  succeeds  are 
slightly  more  broad  than  the  rest. 

Alca  tor  da  is  rather  more  gull-like,  there  being  no 
marked  depression  in  the  pessulus  medianly,  and  the  trims- 
parent  membrana  tympaniformis  being  sharply  marked  off 
from  a  thicker  yellowish  region  behind. 


36 1         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Synthliborhatnphus  antiqmis  has  also  a  perfectly  typical 
tracheo-bronchial  syrinx,  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring  (to 
which  intrinsic  muscles  are  fixed)  being  longer  and  deeper 
than  those  which  follow.  Phaleris  is  similar. 

Uria  columba  distinctly  differs  from  Lomvia  troile  (with 
which  it  is  often  considered  to  be  congeneric),  and  is  an 
approach  towards  a  type  of  syrinx  to  be  described  imme- 
diately, but  with  certain  peculiarities  of  its  own. 

A  dozen  tracheal  rings  in  front  of  the  last  are  very 
thin  (more  particularly  in  front),  and  have,  therefore,  wide 
membranous  intervals.  The  last  tracheal  ring,  however,  is 
stout  and  ossified ;  it  appears  to  be  composed  of  two  closely 
adjoined ;  posteriorly  three  rings  enter  into  the  formation 
of  the  tracheal  box.  The  first  bronchial  semi-ring  is  very 
much  arched,  so  much  so  that  laterally  it  conceals  the  last 
tracheal  rings.  To  it  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached. 

In  Ceratorhina  monocerata  this  state  of  affairs  is  ex- 
aggerated. Not  only  the  first,  to  which  muscles  are  attached, 
but  the  second  bronchial  semi-ring  is  very  convex  upwards, 
forming,  indeed,  the  half  of  a  rather  elongated  ellipse,  as 
shown  in  the  figure  (fig.  177).  The  last  two  tracheal  rings 
are  ossified  and  closely  connected.  The  last  twelve  tracheal 
rings  are  shallow  vertically  and  leave  considerable  mem- 
branous interspaces. 

In  Lunda  cirrhata  there  is  an  almost  identical  syrinx, 
but  the  last  tracheal  rings  are  not  particularly  thin  in  front. 

Fratercula  arctica  and  F.  corniculata  are  sufficiently 
similar  to  need  no  special  description. 

The  tongue  is  generally  fleshy,  elongated,  triangular,  and 
spiny  only  at  the  base. 

The  relative  proportions  of  the  Uver  lobes  not  only  vary, 
but  the  absolute  size  of  the  organ  varies  greatly. 

A  gall  bladder  is  always  present.     There  is  no  crop. 

The  cccca  are  usually  mere  nipples,  -35--25  inch  in  length, 
but  in  Alca  tordd  one  inch.  The  length  of  the  small 
intestine  in  Fratercula  arctica  is  28'5  inches,  in  Alca  tunla 
49 '5  inches. 

From    the   characters    displayed    in    the    accompanying 


ALC/E 


365 


table  it  seems  possible  to  divide  the  group  into  two  families, 
Uriidae  and  Fraterculida3,  which  maybe  thus  defined  :- 

Uriidae. 

Rectrices,  twelve  or  fourteen.  Lobes  of  liver  equal, 
or  left  larger  than  right.  Muscle  formula, 
ABX-  (or  AX-). 

Fraterculidae. 

Hcctrices,  sixteen.  Lobes  of  liver  equal,  or  right 
larger  than  left.  Muscle  formula,  AX+. 
Syrinx  peculiar. 


Rectricea 

Access*  in 
Femoro- 
eamlal 

Ambiens 

Liver 

Lobes 

t'riu  tiiliimba         ...            14 
Synthliborhamphus  antii/iius          14 
Ceratorhina  itionucerata                  16 

Good 
Good 
0 

0 
0 
Good 

L>R 

J_j  —  i\, 

Lin/i/a  cirrhata     ...            16 

0 

Good  .        R>L 

Brachyrhamplms  ni(trm<iritti/.<         14 
Phaleris  psittacula       .        .          14 

I'nili.Tcnla  tirct/i'ii         .         .            10 

Broad 
0 

0 

0 
0 
Slender 

R>L 

Alcn  ton/a    ....           12            Present 
Urin  trnili'    ....                             Good 

0 

1) 

L>R 
L>R 

Syrinx 


With  U-shaped  first 
broiichial  semi-ring 
With  U-shaped  first 
bronchial  semi-ring 


With  U-shaped  first 
bronchial  semi-ring 


There  appears  to  me  to  be  no  doubt  that  the  Alcae  are 
best  placed  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Limicolae,  though, 
as  FUEBEINGEE  justly  states,  '  at  first  sight  the  relations 
between  the  two  groups  do  not  appear  to  be  intimate.' 
These  differences,  however,  merely  concern  outward  form,  in 
which  it  is  perhaps  reasonable  to  compare  the  auks  with 
the  grebes.  But  an  anatomical  study  shows  plainly  that 
the  grebes  are  much  further  away  from  the  auks  than  are 
the  Limicolae.  Such  points  of  likeness  as  there  are  with  the 
Colymbi  are  largely,  if  not  entirely,  due  to  the  similar  life  ; 
thus  the  elongated  sternum,  which  is  also  shared  by  the 
aquatic  ducks,  and  possibly  the  muscle  formula  ABX  + . 
With  the  Limicolae  are  many  positive  points  of  likeness,  to 
which  no  such  explanation  seems  to  be  applicable.  In  the 
skull  it  is  hard  to  find  points  of  difference  ;  but  the  most 
remarkable  point  of  similarity  is  the  presence  in  both  groups 
of  those  additional  tendinous  slips  upon  the  patagium  on  the 


366         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

ulnar  side  (in  Charadrius  as  well  as  Laridse)  which  have  been 
duly  described  in  the  foregoing  pages.  Nor  are  there  any 
salient  facts,  save  such  as  are  evidently  associated  with  loss 
of  the  power  of  flight,  which  contradict  such  a  placing. 

GRUES 

Definition.  —  Oil  gland  present  and  tufted;  '  feathers  with  an  aftershaft. 
Rectrices,  twelve.  A  quintocubital  or  quintocubital.'-'  Ambiens, 
semitendinosus,  and  accessory  always  present.  Expansor  secun- 
dariorum  present.  Cseca  large.3  Skxill  schizognathous,  sehizo- 
rhlnal,  without  basipterygoid  processes.  Two  carotids. 

Among  the  typical  cranes  of  the  family  Gruidae  I  include 
not  only  the  nearly  cosmopolitan  Grus  and  the  African 
Balearica,  but  also  the  South  American  Aramus. 

There  are  no  particular  remarks  to  be  made  about  the 
pterylosis,  which  NITZSCH  states  to  be  precisely  like  that  of 
PsopJiia  (see  below,  p.  374). 

The  muscular  system  is  fairly  uniform  in  its  characters,  as 
will  be  seen  from  the  length  of  the  above  definition. 

The  tensores  patagii  of  the  demoiselle  crane  (G.  virgd) 
are  furnished  with  a  muscular  biceps  slip,  which  is  reinforced 
by  a  tendon  springing  from  the  biceps  below  the  origin  of  the 
biceps  slip.  There  is  also  the  usual  fibrous  junction  with 
the  deltoid  crest  of  the  humerus. 

From  the  pectoralis  4  springs  a  broad  flat  tendinous  slip, 
which  joins  the  undivided  tensor  patagii.  The  tensor  brevis 
divides  at  once  into  two  thin  broad  diffuse  tendons,  of  which 
the  anterior  sends  forward  a  wristward  slip,  from  whose 
junction  with  extensor  metacarpi  a  slight  patagial  fan  pro- 
ceeds to  the  ]ongus  tendon. 

In  Grus  leucogeranos  the  tensor  brevis  tendon  widens  out 
shortly  after  crossing  biceps  slip  into  a  wide  diffuse  band, 
composed  of  many  strands,  but  not  distinctly  separable  into 
two  or  three  tendons.  There  is  a  patagial  fan. 

1  Except  in  Mesitcs,  Cariama,  and  Rliinoclietus. 

-  Rhinochctus,  Cariama,  Psopliia.  3  Not  in  Eitri/pyga. 

4  The  pectoralis  I.  is  usually  stated  to  be  single.  It  appeared  to  me  to  be 
distinctly  double  in  Grus  carunculatus  and  in  Balearica  pavon ma,  especially 
in  the  latter. 


G15UES 


3157 


A  ravins  scolopaeeus  has  the  same  thin  diffused  tendons  ; 
but  they  are  distinctly  divided  below  into  a  main  tendon  and 
a  wristward  slip.  There  is  no  patagial  fan. 

The  anconcBus  has  generally,  if  not  always,  a  well-marked 
broad  humeral  slip. 

The  typical  formula  of  the  leg  muscles  for  the  cranes  is 
ABXY  + .  This  is  the  case  with  all  the  members  of  the 
genus  Grus,  excepting  G.  leucogeranos,  where  I  could  find 
neither  A  nor  B.  In  Aram/is  and  Balearica  pavonina  the 
formula  is  BXY +  ,  and  in  B.  reguloruin,  as  in  G.  leucoge- 
ranos, XY+  only.  In  G.  americana  the  femoro-caudal  is 
minute  and  has  but  a  feeble  accessory. 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  are  united  by  a  strong  vinculum. 

Both  peroneals  appear  to  be  present  ;  but  the  only  notes 
at  my  disposal  on  this  matter  refer  to  G.  leucogeranos. 

The  left  lobe  of  the  liver  is  much  smaller  in  B.  pavonina, 
a  little  smaller  in  G.  ant i gone  and  G.  virgo.  The  proportions 
are  reversed  in  Aramits. 

The  gall  Madder  is  present ;  there  is  a  good  gizzard  ;  the 
proventricidus  is  zonary.  The  following  are  intestinal  mea- 
surements : — 


— 

,-Mlilll     Tilt. 

Large  Int. 

Cseca 

Inches 

Inches 

Indies 

Grus  antigonc 

69 

3-5 

7  and  8 

leucogeranos 

78 

6 

6-5 

carunculata 

S05  (<J)86(  ,  i 

7c?49 

8^59 

mncricana  3 

76 

3-5 

7-5 

ctnuith'tisis  $ 

72 

3-5 

4-25 

australasiana  $ 

84  (73) 

6  (3-5) 

7-5  (7  and  8-25) 

virgo 

51-5 

3 

2-5  and  3-2') 

r><ilcarica  pavonina  9 

54 

2-5 

6-8  and  6-1 

,,         reguloruin  $ 

64 

5-5 

Animus  scolopaeeus  9 

40 

— 

2,  2| 

The  intestinal  coils  in  the  crane  tribe  are  very  character- 
istic and  quite  unlike  those  of  any  other  birds  except  the 
rails  and  bustards.  The  figure  of  Car-lama  shows  the 
characters  of  the  Grues  generally  and  may  be  compared  with 
that  of  Crex  on  p.  323. 

The  genus  Grus  has  the  most  typical  syrinx.  In  G.  lenco- 
geranos  the  first  bronchial  semi-rings  are  firmly  attached  to 


368         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

each  other,  and  the  first  two  are  ossified  and  somewhat  arched. 
To  the  first  of  these  are  inserted  on  each  side  the  two  flat,  rather 
broad  intrinsic  muscles,  which  run  side  by  side,  and  which 
appear  to  be  continued  by  fibrous  tissue  on  to  the  second 
semi-ring.  There  is  a  normal  pessulus.  The  membrana 
tympaniformis  gets  narrower  from  above  downwards  (having, 
therefore,  a  triangular  form),  and  finally  ends  opposite  the 
thirteenth  semi-ring  ;  but  the  rings  remain  semi-rings  after 
this  point,  though  their  ends  are  very  closely  approximated, 
until  close  to  their  opening  into  the  lung.  G.  australasiana 
shows  no  special  differences.  In  G.  canadensis  the  two  mus- 
cles, though  distinct  above,  appear  to  fuse  below  ;  they  do  not 
quite  reach  the  bronchial  semi -ring  as  muscle,  bat  are 
attached  to  it  by  a  short  ligamentous  ending.  Grus  carun- 
culata  agrees  with  the  last. 

A  peculiarity  found  in  many  cranes  is  the  convoluted 
trachea.1  This  state  of  affairs  is  not  found  in  Balearica  or 
Aramus. 

In  both  males  and  females  of  the  following  species  the 
trachea  is  convoluted  :  G.  cinerea,  G.  antigone,  G.  carun- 
culata,  and  G.  leucogeranos.  The  males  of  G.  australasiana, 
and  G.  canadensis  are  known  to  be  the  same,  and  the  female 
of  G.  americana.  In  the  female  of  G.  leucogeranos  and  in 
the  male  of  G.  carunculata  the  trachea,  though  convoluted 
more  or  less,  does  not  enter  the  substance  of  the  sternum,  as 
it  does  in  the  others.  This  too  holds  good  for  Tetrapteryx 
and  Anthropoides. 

The  trachea  has  the  usual  pair  of  extrinsic  muscles,  which 
in  Balearica  pavonina  arise  not  from  the  costal  processes,  as 
is  the  rule,  but  from  the  angle  of  the  first  rib. 

I  have  myself  examined  syringes  of  the  following  species  : 
Grus  canadensis,  G.  australasiana,  G.  leucogeranos,  G. 
carunculata,  Balearica  pavonina,  and  B.  regulorum. 

The  syrinx  of  Balearica  is  rather  different  and  less 
typical. 

The  two  intrinsic  muscles  are  present,  but  they  end  in  a 

1  See  '  A  Natural  History  of  the  Cranes,'  by  W.  B.  TEGETMEIER,  and  FOKBES, 
P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  353. 


GKUES  369 

fibrous  band  fourteen  rings  above  the  end  of  the  trachea. 
The  first  tracheal  ring  is  not  so  strongly  modified  as  in 
Grus. 

13.  pavomna  hardly  differs. 

There  are  nineteen  cervical  vertebra  in  G.  carunculata, 
twenty  in  Balearica. 

Seven  ribs  reach  the  sternum  in  both.  The  clavicles  in 
the  former  and  in  Tetrapteryx  are  ankylosed  with  the  sternum, 
but  not  in  Balearica.  Some  of  the  dorsal  vertebrae  are  partly 
ankylosed. 

The  skullh&s  occipital  fontanelles,  as  in  mostcharadriiform 
birds.  This  holds  good  also  of  the  slightly  aberrant  Aramus. 
The  impressions  for  the  supra-orbital  glands  are  slight,  and 
largely  concealed  when  viewed  from  above.  The  lacrymal 
bones  do  not  blend  with  the  ectethmoid.  The  interorbital 
septum  is  much  fenestrated,  but  not  so  much  so  as  in  the  rails. 
In  Tetrapteryx  and  Balearica  l  the  palatine  bones  do  not 
appear  to  come  into  contact  posteriorly,  and  at  any  rate  the 
inner  lamina  is  continued  right  to  the  end  of  the  bone. 
This  is  not  the  case  with  Grus,  where  the  bones  do  come 
into  contact  posteriorly  and  the  inner  laminae  are  not 
continued  to  the  end. 

The  pelvis  of  the  t}rpical  cranes  (Grus,  Balearica,  Tetra- 
pteryx) hardly  differs  from  that  of  such  a  rail  as  Ar amides. 

An  outlying  member  of  this  group  is  usually  included  in 
the  family  Rhinochetidae.  This  family  is  represented  by  but 
a  single  species,  the  kagu  (Bliinoclietus  jubatus),  of  New 
Caledonia.  The  bird  is  not  unlike  a  heron  in  appearance ; 
but  BARTLETT,  who  made  a  careful  study  2  of  the  habits 
of  specimens  at  the  Zoological  Society's  Gardens,  compared 
its  quick  active  movements  rather  with  those  of  a  crane 
than  with  the  slow  motions  of  a  heron.  The  anatomy  of 
the  bird  has  been  chiefly  studied  by  PARKER  (osteology),3 

1  So  too  apparently  in  Aniliropoides  stanlcyanus   (PARKER,  Tr.  Z.  S.  x.  pi. 
liv.  fig.  0). 

-  P.  Z.  S.  18(52,  p.  218. 

3  '  On  the  Osteology  of  the  Kagu,'  Zool.  Trans,  vi.  p.  501. 

B  B 


370 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


MUEIE  ('dermal  and  visceral  structures'),1  and  myself 
(syrinx  and  muscular  anatomy).2  Others,  however,  particu- 
larly FUKBBINGEB  and  GAEROD,  have  contributed  details  of 
importance  to  our  knowledge  of  this  bird. 

The  powder-down  patches,  which  were  originally  dis- 
co'vered  by  BARTLETT,  exist  as  scattered  groups  of  feathers 
of  the  kind ;  there  are  not  the  regular  patches  found  in  the 


=:*.  st 


FIG.  178. — CERTAIN  LEG  MUSCLES  OF  Rliinoclietiis  (AFTER  BEDDAKD). 
St,  semitendinosus;  A,  its  accessory  ;  S»i,  seniimembrauosus. 

near  ally  of  Rhinochetus,  Mesites.  The  oil  gland  is  present 
but  nude.  The  feathers  have  an  aftersliaft.  There  are 
twelve  rectrices.  The  pterylosis,  imperfectly  described  by 

1  '  On  the  Dermal  arrl  Visceral  Structure  of  the  Kagu,'  Zool.  Trans,  vii. 
p.  465. 

-  '  Contributions  to  the  Anatomy  of  the  Kagu,'  P.  Z.  S.  1801,  p.  t).  See  also 
W.  MARSHALL,  '  Quelques  Observations  sur  la  Splanchnologie  de  Rliino- 
clietus  jubatus,'  Arch.  Neerl.  1870,  p.  402. 


GRUES  371 

MUEIE,  has  been  rather  more  fully  dealt  with  by  FORBES. 
The  dorsal  tract  is  double  on  the  neck,  and  continues  so 
until  its  termination  about  on  a  level  with  the  scapulae. 
The  posterior  portion  of  the  dorsal  tract  is  not  continuous 
with  the  anterior  portions  ;  it  terminates  with  a  slight  bifur- 
cation anteriorly  and  is  widely  dilated  mesially.  The  ventral 
tract  is  broken  into  two  by  the  intervention  of  powder-downs, 
and  the  pectoral  branch  is  perfectly  separated  from  the 
main  tract,  a  unique  feature,  save  for  Mesites.  It  is  the 
scattered  powder-downs  which  are  apparently  responsible 
for  much  of  the  breaking  up  of  the  pterylse  of  Bliinochctus.1 
The  semitendinosus,its  accessory,  the  femora-caudal,  and 
the  ambiens  are  all  present  in  the  kagu. 
As  in  Psopliia  and  some  other  birds,  the 
semitendinosus  is  inserted  in  common  with 
the  semimembranosus.  The  relations  of  the 
last  muscles  and  of  the  gastrocnemiiis  are 
illustrated  in  the  accompanying  figure  (fig. 
17iS),  which  wrill  explain  itself.  Both  pero- 
neals  are  present,  and  have  the  typical 
arrangement  seen  when  both  muscles  are 
developed.  The  deep  plantar  tendons  are  as 
shown  in  the  figure  (fig.  179).  The  flexor  FIG.  no.—  DEEP 

7     77  v          .1         i     in  -i     •         FLEXOR  TENDONS 

liuUucis   supplies    the    hallux  alone,    and    is     OF 


tied  to  the  flexor  communis  by  a  strong  (  AFTER  BEDDARD). 
vinculum  before  the  trifurcation  of  the 
latter.  The  mode  of  insertion  of  the  tensor  patagii  brevis 
is  complicated  ;  the  tendon  divides  into  three  branches, 
the  two  inner  of  which  are  prolonged  some  way  beyond  the 
tendon  of  the  extensor  metacarpi  radialis  longi,  to  which 
they  are  first  of  all  attached.  There  is  a  biceps  sJi}).~ 
The  anconceiis  long  us  has  a  flat  tendon  of  origin  from  the 
humerus,  as  well,  of  course,  as  its  scapular  head.  A  muscle 
apparently  peculiar  to  Bhinochetus  (see  fig.  180)  is  what 
has  been  termed  by  me  an  '  accessory  biceps.'  This  arises 

1  In  his  paper  on  Mcsitcs,  P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  267. 

2  I  wrongly  asserted  the  absence  of  this  in  my  paper  upon  the  anatomy  of 
the  bird. 

I!     H    2 


372 


STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


from  the  humerus  just  below  the  insertion  of  the  deltoid, 
and  is  inserted  near  to  the  insertion  of  the  biceps.  The 
e.cpansor  secunda  riorum  is  present. 

The  syrinx  of  Bhinochettis  is  tracheo-bronchial,  and 
presents  us  with  no  features  of  special  interest.  The 
accompanying  drawing  (fig.  181)  shows  its  lateral  aspect. 
The  bronchidesmus  is  incomplete  ;  the  intrinsic  muscles  are 
attached  to  the  third  bronchial  semi-ring. 

The  number  of  cervical  vertebra  is  sixteen.     Four  of  the 


—Bi.l 


FIG.  180 — MUSCLES  OF  FORE  LIMB  OF 
liJiinochetus  (AFTER  BEDDARD). 

I),  D2,  deltoid  ;  Ldl,  LAI,  latissimus  dorsi ;  Bil,  biceps  ; 
Jii2,  accessory  biceps  ;  Jf,  nerve. 


FIG.  181. —SYRINX  OF 
Rhinochetus  (AFTER 
BEDDARD). 


last  dorsal  vertebra  are  ankylosed.  Five  ribs  articulate  with 
the  sternum.  The  sternum  is  unnotched.  The  skull  is 
schizorhinal ;  there  are  no  basipterygoid  processes.  There 
is  a  partial  bony  internasal  septum  not  to  be  found  in  the 
cranes.  The  interorbital  septum  is  more  fenestrate  than  in 


GRUES 


them.     The  palatines  are  abruptly  truncated  posteriorly,  as 
in  the  herons.1     There  are  small  occipital  foramina. 

An  abnormal  member  of  the  crane  2  group  is  the  South 
American  seriema,  of  which  it  is  usually  considered  that  there 
are  two  genera,  Cariama  and  Chung  a,  of  the  family  Cariamidse. 
These  birds  agree  with  the  cranes 
in  possessing  an  aftershaft  and  in 
the  number  of  their  rectrices 
(twelve).  Theo'iZ  gland,  however, 
is  nude.  In  the  pterylosis  (which 
has  been  described  by  NITZSCH) 
there  is  a  marked  break  between 
the  posterior  forks  of  the  anterior 
section  of  the  dorsal  tracts  and  the 
anterior  fork  of  the  posterior  sec- 
tion of  the  same  tracts. 

The  dorsal  tract  is  single  on 
the  neck  and  divides  interscapu- 
larly.  The  posterior  parts  of  the 
ventral  tract  are  formed  of  two 
rows  about  two  feathers  wide. 
Each  joins  the  outer  branch  above 
by  one  row  of  feathers  merely. 

The   skull    (fig.     182)    is    des- 
mognathous,  but  the  two  maxillo- 
palatines,  though  they  come  into 
contact  in  the  middle  line,  are  not 
fused.        The    nasals     are     appa- 
rently   holorhinal,    really    schizo-  pIG     132.— SKULL 
rhinal  (see  p.  144),  and  there  are  no  VENTRAL  VIEW.    (AFTER  BEDDABD.) 
basipterygoid  processes.    There  are       p' palatine ;  6'  8UPraorbital  ri'l*c- 
fifteen  cervical  vertebra  ;  five  ribs  articulate  with  the  sternum, 
which  is  one-notched  ;  it  has  the  spina  externa. 

1  Stress  has  been  laid  upon  this  fact  and  comparison,  but  a  posterior  trun- 
cation of  the  palatines,  nearly  as  marked,  is  to  be  seen  in  Fratercula  arctica 
and  not  in  some  other  auks. 

•  The  skull  is  described  by  PAUKER,  2V.  Linn.  Soc.  (2),  i.  p.  128  ;  the 
general  osteology  and  to  some  extent  the  visceral  anatomy  by  BTRMEISTER, 


OF     Chung  a 


374         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

The  muscle  formula  of  the  leg  is  BXY-f,  as  in  bustards. 
The  accessory  femoro-caudal  muscle  (of  Chimga)  is  peculiar 
in  that  it  becomes  reduced  in  the  middle  to  a  thin  tendon, 
being  muscular  at  both  extremities.  Both  peroneals  are 
present. 

The  tensores  patagii  spring  from  a  single  muscle.  There 
is  no  biceps  slip,  another  point  of  likeness  to  bustards.  The 
brevis  tendon  spreads  out  into  a  broad  aponeurosis,  but  there 
is  no  patagial  fan.  The  anconceus  has  a  humeral  head. 
The  intestinal  measurements  of  the  two  birds  are  as 
follows  :- 

Cariama  cristata.  Chung  a  Burmeisteri. 
Small  intestines,    33    inches.  33  inches. 

Large  intestine,     3  ,,  3*5    ,, 

CSBC-A,  8-75     ,,  8-5  and  1O5  inches. 

The  family  Psophiidse  is  represented  by  the  single  South 
American  genus  Psophia,  including  some  four  species. 
These  birds  have  the  outer  aspect  of  a  rail  rather  than  of  a 
crane,  and  PAEKEE  has  commented  upon  their  '  phasianine ' 
expression  of  face.  Nevertheless  their  nearest  alliance 
seems  to  be  with  the  crane  tribe,  and  perhaps  more 
especially  with  Cariama. 

The  pterylosis  has  been  described  and  figured  by  NITZSCH. 
There  are  apparently  ten  rectrices  (not  twelve,  as  NITZSCH 
stated),  and  the  oil  gland,  as  in  Gr-us,  is  tufted.  The  dorsal 
tract  is  single  on  the  neck  and  forms  a  strong  bifurcation 
between  the  shoulders  ;  from  the  two  ends  of  the  fork  a 
single  row  of  feathers  descend  and  unite  to  form  a  weakly 
feathered  but  widish  posterior  part  of  the  dorsal  tract.  The 
ventral  tract  bifurcates  early  in  the  neck,  and  each  in  the 
pectoral  region  gives  off  a  strong  band  on  the  outside  ;  the 
main  portion  of  each  tract  is  continued  on  to  the  cloaca  by 

'  Beitrage  z.  Naturgeschiehte der  Seriema,'  Abliomll.  not.  Ges.  Halle,  i.  (1854),  p. 
17  ;  the  viscera  also  by  GADOW,  7.  /.  O.  xxiv.  (1876),  p.  445,  and  by  MARTIN, 
P.  Z.  S.  1836,  p.  29.  See  also  BEDDARD,  '  On  the  Anatomy  of  Burmeister's 
Cariama,'  P.  Z.  S.  1889,  p.  594,  and  literature  there  quoted. 


GRUES  375 

a  very  narrow  band  of  feathers,  which  is  only  one  feather 
wide  to  begin  with,  and  afterwards  only  two  feathers  wide. 

The  tensor  patagii  muscles  are  distinctly  grume  ;  the 
biceps  slip  is  present. 

In  the  hind  limb  the  muscle  formula  is  BXY  +  ,  as  in 
Cariama  and  the  bustards. 

The  syrinx,  shown  in  the  accompanying  woodcut  (fig. 
381),  presents  no  remarkable  features.  It  is  quite  typically 
tracheo-bronchial,  and  has,  as  will  be  observed,  an  incom- 
plete bronchidesmus.  It  has  been  stated 
(by  TRAIL)  that  the  windpipe  communicates 
with  an  air  space,  apparently  after  the  fashion 
of  the  emu.  But  there  is  no  doubt  that  this 
statement  was  based  upon  some  imperfection 
of  the  example  studied.  It  has  been  also 
stated  that  the  windpipe  in  the  male  is  con- 
voluted ;  this  requires  confirmation  also. 

The  skull  of  Psophia  '  is  schizognathous    Fm  183  _SYHINX 
and  holorhinal  (fig.  81,  p.  143).     AsPAEKEE       OF  Psopitia  leu- 
first  observed,  the  orbital  margin  is  furnished       BEDDAED). 
with  about  five  smallish  supra-orbital  bones, 
a  feature  which  reminds  us  of  certain  archaic  birds,  as  the 
tinamous,  Arboricola,  and  Menura.     The  lacrymal  has  a  de- 
scending process,  which  is  swollen  and  nearly  comes  into 
contact  with   the  ectethmoid.       The   maxillo-palatines   are 
comparatively  large    and   swollen   bones  ;    as    in    Cariama 
these  bones  are  convex  on  the  outer  side,  and  not  concave- 
as  in  Grits.     There  are  no  occipital  foramina.     It  may  be 
remarked  that  the  holorhinal  nostrils  of  this  bird  show  no 
such  approach  to  schizorhiny  as  is  displayed  by  Chunga. 

From  the  anterior  part  of  the  maxillo-palatines,  on  a 
level  with  a  point  just  in  front  of  the  commencement  of  the 
bony  nostrils,  a  stoutish  knob  of  bone  2  projects  inwards  on 
either  side.  Of  this  there  are  traces  in  the  cranes,  parti- 
cularly in  Tetrapteryx.  If  these  processes  were  to  be 
increased  in  size  and  to  meet  a  bony  internasal  septum,  we 

1  P.  E.  BEDDARD,  '  On  the  Structure  of  Psapliia,''  &c.,  P.  Z.  S.  1890,  p.  329. 
-'  Duly  referred  to  by  PAEKEE,  '  Osteology  of  the  Kagu,'  Tr.  Z.  S.  vi.  p.  507. 


376         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

should  have  the   '  desniognathous  '   skull    of  the  American 
vultures. 

P  sophia  has  seventeen  cervical  vertebra,  of  which  the 


last    bears    a   rudimentary   rib.     Five    dorsal   vertebrcc   are 
ankylosed,  there  being  two  free  ones  behind.     The  stern  it  in 


GRUES 


377 


eight  ribs 


articulate 


(fig.   184)    is  entire   and    unnotched 
with  it. 

The  atlas  is  notched  for  the  odontoid  process.  From 
the  fourteenth  cervical  vertebra  to  the  third  dorsal  there  are 
blade-like  median  hypapophyses.  In  front  of  the  fourteenth 
the  catapophyses  nearly  enclose  a  canal ;  they  get  further 
apart  and  die  away  anteriorly.  The  following  table  shows 
the  number  and  character  of  the  hypapophyses  in  various 
Grues  : — 


— 

Cbuuga 

Cariama 

Psophia 

Rhinochetus 

Grus 

Balearica 

Catapophyses 

Last  on  Oil 

C12 

CIS 

Gil 

CIS 

C16 

Hypapophyses 

C12-D1 

C13-D1 

C14-D3 

C12-D3 

C1U-C19 

C17-C19 

The  family  Eurypygidse  contains  but  one  genus  and 
species,  Eurypyga  helias,  native  of  South  America.  It  has 
an  oil  gland,  which  is  generally  nude  but  occasionally  tufted, 
and  twelve  rectrices.  Eurypyga,  like  Rhinochetus  and 
Mesites,  has  powder-down  patches,  but  their  arrangement  is 
very  different  from  those  of  Rhinochetus.  Dorsally  there  is 
on  either  side  of  the  dorsal  tract  a  compact  dense  triangular 
patch ;  in  front  it  continues  over  scapula  as  a  band  which 
runs  on  to  the  sternal  surface,  and  there  forms  a  sparsely 
feathered  patch  more  or  less  continuous  with  pectoral  tract 
of  contour  feathers.  There  are  a  few  scattered  powder- 
downs  on  axilla  and  along  neck. 

The  tensor  patagii  brevis  is  broad  and  rather  diffused, 
stronger  at  the  two  edges  ;  it  sends  off  a  wristward  slip. 
The  tensor  longus  is  reinforced  by  a  strong  biceps  slip. 

The  expansor  secundariorum  is  strong  and  'ciconiine.' 
The  ancoiiicus  has  a  humeral  attachment.  The  insertion  of 
the  deltoid  extends  halfway  down  the  humerus.  I  have 
noticed  in  the  pectoralis  primus  a  vertical  septum  dividing 
the  muscle  into  a  right  and  left  half. 

The  muscle  formula  of  the  hind  limb  is  complete,  i.e. 
AJBXY+.  The  glutceus  I.  extends  well  over  the  biceps. 
Both  peroneals  are  present. 


378         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

The  liver  is  equilobed,  with  a  gall  bladder.  The  intestines 
are  18  inches  long,  the  short  caeca  (£  inch)  being  li  inch 
from  cloaca. 

Both  carotids  are  present. 

The  shidl  of  the  sun  bittern  has  been  described  1  and 
figured  by  PAEKEE. 

It  presents  several  points  of  likeness  to  that  of  Rkino- 
chetus,  notably  in  the  ardeine  character  of  the  palatines,2 
which  are  cut  off  squarely  behind  and  are  of  approximate 
length  throughout ;  each  palatine,  moreover,  has  a  fenestra, 
as  in  Tigrisoma  leucolophum  (and  also  in  Numenius  phceopus 
and  Anous  stolidus).  The  interorbital  septum  is  widely 
fenestrate ;  there  are  no  occipital  foramina.  As  in  Psophia 
(q.v.),  Rliinoclietus,  and  cranes,  there  is  a  rudimentary  '  snag' 
from  the  anterior  part  of  maxillo-palatine. 

The  nostrils  are  schizorhinal,  and  the  curves  of  the 
various  surfaces  of  the  bones  are  such  that  if  the  very 
narrow  anterior  chink  were  closed  a  well-rounded  and  quite 
typical  holorhinal  skull  would  be  the  result. 

Eurypygah&s  a  one-notched  sternum  with  well-developed 
spina  externa.  There  are  eighteen  cervical  vertebrae,  and 
three  dorsals  are  fused. 

The  pelvis  is  a  little  less  rail-like  than  in  Grits,  Rliino- 
chetus,  Psophia,  &c.,  in  being  wider,  and  in  the  more  hori- 
zontal plane  of  ilia,  which  do  not  meet. 

Family  Aptornithidae.3 — The  two  species  of  Aptornis,  A. 
defossor  and  A.  otidiformis,  from  New  Zealand  quaternary 
deposits,  were  originally  referred  to  the  Dinornithidse,  and 
more  lately  to  the  rails.  F  QEBEINGEE  has,  however,  advanced 
certain  reasons  for  relegating  them  to  the  neighbourhood  of 
Rhinochetus,  and  I  follow  him  in  placing  them  in  the  present 
group.  The  chief  reason  which  persuaded  FUEBEINGEE  to 

this  conclusion  was  the  schizorhinal  nostrils,  quite  evident 

« 

1  '  On  the  Osteology  of  the  Kagu,'  Tr.  Z.  S.  vol.  vi.,  and  '  On  /Egithogna- 
thous  Birds,'  ibid.  vol.  x.  p.  307,  pi.  liv.  figs.  7,  8,  1). 
-  See,  however,  footnote,  p.  373. 
3  OWEN,  '  On  Dinornis,'  pt.  xv.  Tr.  Z.  S.  vii.  p.  353. 


({RUES  379 

in  OWEN'S  plates,1  and  showing  the  inward  curvature  so  often 
found  in  the  schizorhinal  nostril,  and  quite  apparent  in  Gnt.s 
(though  Jioiin. Rhinochetus) .  A  special  point  of  resemblance 
to  Rhinochetus  among  the  crane-like  birds  seems  to  me  to 
be  in  the  partial  ossification  of  the  nasal  septum.  The 
solidity,  posteriorly  at  any  rate,  of  the  interorbital  septum  is 
like  Psophia  so  far  as  gruine  birds  are  concerned,  while  the 
spout-like  process  upwards  of  the  palatines  is  quite  in 
harmony  with  FURBRINGER'S  views  of  the  affinities  of  Ap- 
tornis.  The  junction  of  the  zygoma  with  the  post-frontal 
process  is  not  crane-like  ;  it  occurs  among  gallinaceous  birds, 
and  there  is  a  near  approach  to  it  in  Otis. 

In  the  view  given  by  OWEN  of  the  under  surface  of  the 
skull  is  a  bone  described,  though  not  figured,  which  ap- 
pears to  me  to  correspond  to  the  desmognathous  palate  of 
Cariama.  The  union  of  the  bones  and  their  divergence 
posteriorly  are  precisely  like  what  is  to  be  seen  in  Cariama. 

Large  basipterygoid  processes  are  present,  but  OWEN 
failed  to  find  upon  them  an  articular  surface. 

So  that  while  the  outline  of  the  skull  of  Aptornis  is  very 
like  that  of  some  of  the  large  rails  its  affinities  have  been 
probably  more  correctly  diagnosed  by  FURBRINGER. 

Besides  the  Aptornithidae  already  mentioned  other  forms 
referable  to  the  Grues  have  been  obtained  from  Tertiary 
strata.  Of  these  Aletornis  (with  a  number  of  species)  is  placed 
among  the  Gruidae  and  Gcranopsis  of  LYDEKKEB.  The  latter 
is  known  only  by  the  coracoid,  which  differs  somewhat  from 
that  of  Grus.  LYDEKKEK  does  not  admit  the  genus  Pal&ogrus  of 
PORTIS. 

The  family  Mesitidae  is  represented  by  the  Madagascar 
Mesites,  a  genus  containing  but  a  single  species,  which  has 
been  investigated  anatomically  by  MILNE-EDWARDS  2  and  by 
FORBES. 3  One  of  its  principal  characteristics  was  originally 

1  Loc.  cit.  pi.  xl.  figs.  1,  '2. 

2  '  Remarques  sur  le  Genre  Mcsitcs,'  &c.,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  (6),  vii.,  and  in  Hist. 
Nat.  dc  Madagascar. 

3  '  Description  of  the  Pterylosis  of  Mcsitcs,'  &c.,  P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  267. 


380         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

discovered    by   E.    BARTLETT/    who   found   and    described 
briefly  the  powder-down  patches. 

The  bird  has  sixteen  rectrices,  and  apparently — but  there 
is  some  little  doubt  about  the  matter — a  nude  oil  gland.  The 
contour  feathers  have  110  aftershaft.  There  are  five  pairs  of 
powder-down  peddles.  The  most  anterior  pair  lie  in  the 
iriterscapular  region,  and  are  enclosed  by  the  dorsal  tracts. 
The  second  pair  are  upon  the  rump,  the  third  pair  at  the 
commencement  of  the  pectoral  region  ;  the  fourth  pair  lie 
also  on  the  ventral  region,  but  posteriorly  ;  the  fifth  pair, 
finally,  are  axillary.  The  number  of  these  pairs  is  greater 
than  in  any  known  bird,  and  their  definition  and  complete 
separation  as  distinct  patches  contrasts  with  the  diffused 
arrangement  characteristic  of  Rhinochetus  and  Eiwypyga. 

There  are  four  apteria  on  the  neck,  since  both  dorsal  and 
ventral  tracts  divide  early.  The  dorsal  tracts  converge  inter- 
scapularly,  and  then  become  much  feebler,  and  are  continued 
on  to  the  Y-shaped  posterior  part  of  the  tract.  The  ventral 
tracts  cease  altogether  at  the  commencement  of  the  pectoral 
region,  but  recommence  behind  the  powder-downs.  The 
outer  branch  is  present,  but  is  quite  unconnected  with  the 
main  stem. 

The  muscle  formula  is  complete,  ABXY  +  .  Both  carotids 
are  present. 

As  FURBRINGER  removed  Aptornis  from  the  rails  and 
placed  it  in  the  present  group  largely  on  account  of  its 
schizorhinal  nostrils,  it  is  remarkable  that  he  did  not  also  do 
so  with  the  present  bird.  The  bony  nostrils  are,  in  fact,  of 
the  type  that  has  been  termed  pseudo-holorhinal.  They  are 
rounded  at  their  end,  but  elongated  and  curved  inwards  ;  they 
are  exactly  like  those  of  Glareola. 

Mesites  is  schizognathous,  with  delicate  maxillo-palatines. 
The  descending  process  of  the  lacrymal  abuts  upon,  but 
does  not  fuse  with,  the  very  stout  square  ectethmoid.  This 
part  of  the  skull,  again,  is  more  like  Glareola  than  any  grume 
form  ;  but  it  is  also  like  Pterocles  and  various  other  birds. 

There  are  seventeen  cervical  vertebra,  and  four  ribs  reach 
1  '  Remarks  on  the  Affinities  of  Mcsitcs,'  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  p.  292. 


({HUES 


381 


the  one-notched  sternum. 
plete  ribs  are  ankylosed. 


The  dorsal  vertebrae  with  com- 
The furcula  is  quite  degenerate. 


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T. 

0 

+  i  0 

Hoi. 

0 

0       Incompl. 

15,14    None 

One 

ABXY  + 

+ 

incis. 

OTIDES     . 

+ 

0 

0 

0        Hoi. 

0 

n 

Incompl.    16,17 

Noae 

Two 

BXY  + 

0 

incis. 

CEDICXEMHXiE  . 

+ 

T. 

0 

n        Hoi. 

II 

0 

Incompl.       1G 

None 

Two 

ABXY  + 

+ 

i 

incis. 

I1XY  + 

1  Not  completely  fused,  and  not  always. 

It  is  clear  from  the  accompanying  table  that  the  seven 
families  which  I  here  include  with  the  Grues  are  a  tolerably 
divergent  series  of  birds.  Yet  it  does  not  appear  to  me 
possible  to  locate  any  one  of  them  elsewhere.  The  bird 
concerning  whose  position  I  am  most  doubtful  is  naturally 
Mesites.  It  is  placed  near  the  hemipodes  among  the  galli- 
naceous birds  by  GADOW,  and  by  FURBEINGEE  near  the 
hemipodes  but  among  the  rails.  SHAEPE  takes  the  view 
which  is  urged  here,  while  FOEBES  and  some  other  recent 
writers  are  impressed  by  its  likenesses  to  Eurypyga  and 
Rhinochetus,  FOEBES,  indeed,  having  associated  all  three  in 
a  separate  group.  There  are,  unfortunately,  so  many  lacunae 
in  our  knowledge  of  this  form  that  a  strict  comparison  is  as 
yet  hardly  possible.  Allowing  the  characters  of  the  deep 
flexor  tendons,  not  mentioned  by  FUEBEINGEE,  the  agree- 
ments with  the  Turnices  do  not  appear  to  me  to  be  more 
numerous  than  those  with  Eurypyga,  while  the  powder- 
down  patches  are  unknown  in  either  rail  or  gallinaceous 
bird. 

There  are  difficulties  too  with  other  genera  of  crane-like 


382         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

birds.  For  PARKER  the  inclusion  of  Cariama  in  the  present 
group  is  impossible.  Yet  I  find  myself  in  this  matter  in 
accord  with  most  recent  writers.  If  Ca  riant  a  is  not  allied 
to  the  cranes,  where  are  we  to  put  it  ?  The  only  alternative 
seems  to  be  the  rails,  which  are  in  any  case  not  far  removed 
from  the  present  group.  MITCHELL  has  pointed  out  the 
very  close  resemblance  in  the  intestinal  tract  of  cranes,  rails, 
Cariama,  Otis,  and  (as  yet  unpublished)  Psopkia.  PARKER, 
on  the  other  hand,  has  emphasised  the  likeness  between 
Cariama  and  the  Accipitres,  a  likeness  which  has  even  im- 
pressed itself  upon  their  external  physiognomy.  FORBES 
went  so  far  as  to  include  in  the  same  group  with  Cariama 
the  secretary  bird.1  It  appears  to  me,  in  fact,  that  the 
origin  of  the  Accipitres  is  to  be  traced  to  some  crane-like  form, 
and  that  the  very  varied  characters  of  the  Grues  point  to 
their  being  a  basal  form  connected  with  more  groups  than 
one.  As  is  pointed  out  elsewhere,  unless  we  are  to  regard 
the  Accipitres  as  here  treated  as  diphyletic,  or  even  triphy- 
letic,  we  must  assume  that  the  Cathartse  and  Serpentarius 
are  the  most  primitive  forms  wrheiice  the  typical  Falconidee 
have  been  derived  by  a  loss  of  two  mtiscles  of  the  leg.  In 
these  birds  the  formula  BXY  or  AXY  must  come  before  A 
alone.  But  little  change  is  required  to  convert  Cariama  into 
Gypogeranus ;  and  if  it  be  objected  that  this  is  because 
Cariama  is  an  accipitrine,  the  quite  similar  skull,  so  far  as 
the  desmognathism  is  concerned,  of  Aptornis  may  be  pointed 
to ;  it  will  hardly  be  contended  that  Aptornis  is  anything  but 
a  crane  or  a  rail.  Along  another  line  probably  the  peculiar 
desmognathism  of  the  American  vultures  may  be  derived 
from  conditions  obtaining  in  the  crane  group.  PARKER  has 
pointed  out  the  ossification  and  fusion  in  the  middle  line  of 
alinasalsin  Cariama  ;  but  in  that  bird  the  fused  bones,  though 
quite  analogous  with,  cannot  be  the  exact  homologues  of, 
the  fusion  of  bones  which  has  occurred  in  Catkartcs,  &c.  ; 
for  the  position  is  totally  different,  being  much  further 
forward  in  Cariama.  There  is,  however,  in  Psopkia  and  in 
others  of  its  allies — particularly  well  developed  in  Psophia— 

'  '  A  raptorial  isomorph  of  the  Cranes  '  (PARKER). 


GRUES  383 

a  small  snag  of  bone,  already  referred  to  as  projecting  out- 
wards from  the  maxillo-palatine  in  precisely  the  spot  required  ; 
if  this  projection  were  to  grow  more  extensively,  we  should 
have  a  palate  exactly  like  that  of  Catliartes  and  Gypagns. 

To  consider  another  quite  different  group  of  birds,  the 
Herodiones,  I  have  urged  on  another  page  (p.  441)  the  low 
position  of  PI  a  talc  a  among  the  Herodiones.  In  more  than 
one  particular  these  birds  recall  the  cranes.  The  occipital 
fontanelles,  the  complete  muscle  formula  are  among  these 
characters.  FURBRINGER  has  hinted  at,  but  not  accepted, 
the  diphyletic  origin  of  the  Herodiones  ;  were  it  not  for  Scopus 
and  Balceniceps,  this  might  be  fairly  assumed  indeed ;  and  in 
view  of  this  possibility  the  strongly  ardeine  character  of  the 
palatines  in  Rhinochetus  and  Eunjpyga  may  be  commented 
upon.1  This  character,  too,  is  coupled  with  the  existence  of 
powder-down  patches. 

Though  the  charadriiform  birds  form,  in  my  opinion,  a 
group  distinct  from  the  Grues,  there  are  many  points  of  simi- 
larity between  them.  This  is  practically  shown  by  the  fact 
that  (Edicnemus  has  been  much  bandied  about  between  the 
two  groups.  The  occipital  fontanelles,  the  supra-orbital 
impressions  are  among  the  points  of  likeness.  In  view  of 
these  facts  the  likeness  in  some  matters  of  the  skull  of 
Mesites  to  that  of  Glareola  is  perhaps  significant.  It  is 
really  mainly  the  form  of  the  intestinal  coils  as  described  by 
MITCHELL  that  leads  me  to  dwell  upon  the  separateness  of 
the  two  groups.  But  this  question  is  dealt  with  more  fully 
under  Limicolse  (on  p.  358). 

As  an  appendix  to  the  Grues  we  may  perhaps  consider  the 

STEREORNITHES 

This  singular  group  of  birds  was  originally  discovered  in 
the  lower  Tertiary  strata  of  Patagonia  by  the  well-known 
palaeontologist  AMEGHINO.  Of  the  several  genera  assigned 
to  the  family,  many  of  which  are  very  imperfectly  known 

1  See,  however,  p.  373  footnote,  where  a  similar  conformation  of  these  bones 
in  the  auk,  Frati-mtla,  is  described. 


384         STRUCTURE   AM)   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

and  doubtfully  referable  to  the  group,1  Phororhacos  is  the 
best  known,  almost  the  entire  skeleton  being  now  in  the 
museum  at  Buenos  Ayres.  A  convenient  summary  of  AME- 
GHINO'S  work,  with  criticisms,  has  lately  appeared  in  the  'Ibis,'2 
by  Mr.  ANDREWS,  from  the  whose  paper  the  information  here 
has  been  extracted.  When  first  discovered  (the  anterior  por- 
tion of  the  lower  jaw)  the  creature  was  referred  to  the  mam- 
malia. As  with  the  leg  bone  of  the  Dinornis  its  ornithic 
nature  was  doubted,  though  the  lesson  afforded  by  the 
Dinornis  might  have  tempted  naturalists  to  be  bolder  than 
was  perhaps  reasonable  in  the  forties.  The  bird  was  formerly 


FIG.  185. —  SKULL  OF  Phororhacos.     LATERAL  ASPECT. 
(AFTER  ANDREWS.) 

held  to  be  ratite.  But  LYDEKKER,  who  examined  the  qua- 
drate, found  that,  as  in  carinates,  it  articulated  by  two  heads 
instead  of  the  one  which  characterises  that  bone  in  the 
ratites.3 

The  skull  of  Phororhacos  longissimus  is  two  feet  in 
length  ;  the  hooked  beak  has  two  or  three  serrations  at  the 
commencement  of  the  hook,  which  remind  one  of  the  Eocene 
Odontopteryx,  in  which  bird,  however  (see  p.  418),  the  serra- 
tions extend  along  the  entire  length  of  both  jaws.  Seen 
from  above  certain  resemblances  between  this  skull  and  that 
of  Phalacrocorax  or  Plotus  will  be  apparent.  ANDREWS 
thinks  that  the  lacrymal  was  united  with  the  jugal  by  a 


1  E.g.  Bmntoniis,  Dryornis,  Pelecyornis. 

2  Jan.  181M3. 


3  Except  Apteryx. 


STEKEORNITHES 


separate  bone  which  exists  in  Cariama  (and  of  course 
Chunga),  a  bone  which  is  found  in  other  birds,  though  its 
articulation  with  the  palatines  often  makes  its  identification 
with  that  of  the  seriema  doubtful. 

The  ventral  surface  of  the  skull  is  crane-like.1 
The  vertebral  column  is  interesting  on  account   of  the 

fact  that  many  of  the  dorsal  and  all 
of  the  caudal s  have  their  centra  per- 
forated for  the  remains  of  the  noto- 
chord.  There  is  no  pygostyle.  The 
pelvis  is  remarkably  like  that  of  Hes- 
perornis  and  the  grebes.  It  has  the 
length  and  narrowness  of  that  limb 
girdle  in  the  birds  mentioned.  It 
has,  however,  been  more  satisfac- 
torily perhaps  compared  with  the 
pelvis  of  Cariama.  The  slenderness 
and  length  of  the  coracoid,  together 
with  the  absence  of  a  procoracoid, 
prevent  a  comparison  in  this  particu- 
lar with  the  ratites.  It  is  typically 


FIG.  186.— SKULL  or  Plio- 
rorliacos.  DORSAL  ASPECT. 
(AFTER  ANDREWS.) 


FIG.  187. — PELVIS  OF  Pliororliacos.     DORSAL, 
ASPECT.     (AFTER  ANDREWS.) 


carinate  in  fact,  and  shows  perhaps  special  resemblances  to 
Cariama. 

The  ulna  shows  well-marked  tubercles,  which  indicate  the 
insertion  of  the  secondaries.  Though  reduced  in  size,  and 
therefore  possibly  useless  for  purposes  of  flight,  it  seems 

1  See  letter  from  Dr.  GADOW,  Ibis,  Oct.  1896,  p.  586,  where  it  is  pointed  out 
that  Stcreornis  is  synonymous  with  Pliororliacos,  and  that  therefore  the  name 
Stereornithes  cannot  stand.  It  is,  however,  difficult  to  compose  a  name  out  of 
Phororliacos,  and  it  is  not  proved  that  the  birds  in  question  are  definitely 
cranes.  I  therefore  leave  the  name. 

C  C 


386         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

likely  that  the  wings  of  this  bird  were  more  efficient  than 
those  of  the  ratites  on  account  of  the  apparently  well- 
developed  remiges. 

COLYMBI 

Definition. — Oil  gland  tufted.  Afiershaft  present.  Aquiiicubital. 
Accessory  semitendinosus  absent  Biceps  slip  present.  G-lutseus 
maximus  large,  extending  behind  acetabulum.  Caeca  long. 
Skull  holorhinal,  •without  basipterygoid  processes,  schlzogna- 
thous.  Tibial  crest  strongly  developed. 

This  group  of  birds  contains  two  very  well-marked  families, 
the  divers  (Colymbidse)  andthe  grebes  (Podicipedidse).  In  view 
of  their  numerous  and  important  points  of  similarity  I  have 
not  thought  it  desirable  to  separate  these  two  families  quite 
so  widely  as  has  GADOW.  The  Colymbidse  contain  but  one 
genus,  Colymbus,  with  four  species.  Of  the  grebes  there  is 
perhaps  also  only  one  well-marked  genus,  Podicipes.  But 
the  Central  American  Centropelma  (of  SCLATEE  and  SALVIN) 
has  some  claims,  on  account  of  the  complete  loss  of  flight,  to 
generic  distinction,  while  in  the  course  of  the  following  pages 
it  will  be  seen  that  there  are  certain,  if  small,  reasons  for 
distinguishing  jEclimopliorux  and  Tac/iybaptes.  Podilyinb/tx, 
another  alleged  genus,  has  not  been  dissected. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  anatomy  of  this  group  of  birds  is 
chiefly  due  to  NiTZSCH,1  BEANDT,*  CoiiES,3  SnrFELDT,4  and 
myself.5 

As  to  external  characters,  there  is  a  close  agreement 
among  the  Colymbi.  The  number  of  rectrices  in  Colymbtis 
glacialis  I  find  to  be  twenty.  NITZSCH  gives  eighteen  to 
twenty  for  the  genus.  Specialised  rectrices  are  not  recognis- 
able among  the  grebes.  The  inferior  tract  of  feathers  is 

1  Loc.  cit. 

'l  '  Beitriige  z.  Kenntniss  d.  Naturg.  d.  VSgel,'  Mem.  Ac.  St.  Peterxb.  1840, 
p.  197. 

a  '  On  the  Osteology  of  Colymbtt*,'  Ac.,  Mi-m.  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  i.  1866, 
p.  131. 

4  '  Concerning  the  Taxonomy  of  the  N.  American  Pygopodes,'  Ac.,  J.  Anat. 
1' lii/ft.  1892,  p.  198. 

5  '  Notes  upon  the  Anatomy  of  a  Grebe  (JEchmoplwrus  major),''  etc.,  P.  Z.  S. 
1H%,  p.  538. 


COLYMBI  387 

divided  into  two  about  halfway  down  the  neck  ;  the  two 
tracts  are  not  again  divided  upon  the  trunk,  where  they  are 
broad.  The  spinal  tract  divides  high  up  on  the  neck  (Pocli- 
ct'px  crixhthis)  or  only  between  the  shoulders  (Columbus 
glacialis).  The  anterior  part  of  the  spinal  tract  is  stronger 
than  the  posterior  part,  and  is  separated  from  it  ;  the  latter  is 
solid,  enclosing  no  space. 

The  patagial  tendons  of  Colymbus  glacialis  are  rather 
simple.  The  tendon  of  the  brevis  is  a  rather  broad  undivided 
band.  There  is  no  patagial  fan,  but,  as  in  ^Echmophorus,  a 
delicate  tendon  arises  from  the  fore  arm  near  the  insertion  of 
the  tensor  brevis  and  ends  in  the  biceps  slip.  In  CoUjmbus 
arcticus,  according  to  FUBBRINGER'S  sketch,  a  broad  diffuse 
tendon  arises  from  biceps  slip,  and  ends  freely  upon  the 
patagium.  The  first  description  given  is  from  my  own  dis- 
section of  C.  glacialis,  and  agrees  with  a  manuscript  note 
of  Mr.  FORBES  upon  C.  septentrionalis.  But  C.  glacialis 
apparently  sometimes  approaches  C.  arcticus.  I  have  a  manu- 
script sketch  by  Professor  GARROD  showing  a  broad  band  of 
fibres  arising  from  the  biceps  slip,  but  ending  on  the  fore  arm. 

The  anconceus  has  a  humeral  head.  The  expansor  sccun- 
(1  a  riorum  appears  to  be  absent.  The  biceps  is  single-headed. 

The  leg  muscle  formula,  in  contradistinction  to  what  we 
find  in  the  grebes  (where  it  is  BX  — ),  is  ABX+  . 

There  is  a  peculiarity  in  the  gastrocnemius  of  C.  septen- 
trionalis which  is  worth  calling  attention  to  :  one  of  the  heads 
of  that  muscle  arises  from  the  tendinous  end  of  the  glutens 
maximus. 

The  femorocaudal  is  tendinous  for  half  its  length  ;  its  ac- 
cessory is  a  very  large  muscle.  The  ambiens  in  Colymbus 
glacialish&B  two  heads  of  origin. 

The  combined  plantar  tendons  give  off  a  small  slip  to  the 
hallux  in  C.  septentrionalis,  as  in  Podicipes  minor. 

The  divers  have  two  carotids,  the  more  modified  (cf.  leg 
formula)  grebes  only  the  left. 

The  lobes  of  the  liver  in  the  Colymbi  are  equal,  and  there 
is  a  gall  bladder. 

The  following  are  a  few  intestinal  measurements  :- 

c  c  2 


388         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


— 

s. 

I. 

L. 

I. 

Cseca 

Ft. 

Ins. 

Inches 

Inches 

Colijmbus 

septeytrionalJls 

3 

11 

3 

•7 

1-7,1- 

8 

1? 

glacially 

5 

4 

2 

•;j 

2 

Podicipes 

curnutiiK 

2 

5 

1 

•5 

1-1,  1- 

6 

?» 

minor 

2 

5 

1 

•5 

1-5 

The  ccfc«>  of  C.  septentrionalis  are  conical  and  saccular  in 
form,  with  irregular  but  distinct  transverse  rugae. 

The  syrinx  in  the  divers  (Colymbus  septentrionalis)  is  not 
in  any  way  remarkable  in  form.  The  last  tracheal  rings  and 


FIG.  188. —  SYRINX  OF 

•i,  intrinsic  muscles. 


Km.  189. — SYEIXX  OF 

i,  intrinsic  muscles. 


the  first  bronchial  are  ossified  and  firmly  attached  to  each 
other.  The  pessulus  is  also  ossified.  The  succeeding  bron- 
chial rings  are  soft  and  cartilaginous.  The  powerful  intrinsic 
muscles  are  inserted  partly  on  to  the  last  tracheal  ring  and 
partly  on  to  the  first  bronchial,  the  line  of  insertion  being 
oblique. 

The  syrinx  of  JEchmophorus  (fig.  188)  has  a  very  incom- 
plete bronchidesmus,  a  very  wide  space  between  the  two 
bronchi  existing  above  its  anterior  edge.  The  last  two 
tracheal  rings  are  fused  to  form  a  long  box,  into  the  compo- 
sition of  which  it  appears  to  me  that  the  first  bronchial  semi- 
ring enters.  In  any  case,  if  that  be  not  so,  the  first  bronchial 


COLYMBI  389 

semi-ring  has  the  unusual  relations  shown  in  the  drawing, 
which  are  perfectly  consistent  with  the  belief  that  the  ring  is 
the  second  bronchial.  The  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  to 
the  third  tracheal  ring  in  front  of  the  tracheo-bronchial  box. 
The  bronchial  semi-rings  are  fairly  ossified,  but  have  rather 
wide  membranous  interspaces. 

In  Podicipes  cristatus  there  is  the  same  failure  of  the 
intrinsic  syringeal  muscles  to  reach  even  the  end  of  the 
trachea.  A  box  is  formed  by  fusion  at  the  end  of  the  trachea, 
into  which  it  appears  to  me  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring  does 
not  enter.  The  bronchial  semi-rings  are  deeper  and  closer 
together,  and  the  whole  bronchus  is  more  ossified,  than  in 
the  last  genus.  The  bronchi,  too,  are  longer. 

In  Podicipes  cormttus  the  syrinx  is  much  the  same,  but 
of  course  smaller.  The  first  free  semi-ring  of  the  bronchus 
seems  to  be  No.  2.  There  is  a  wider  membranous  interval 
between  it  and  the  antecedent  tracheo-bronchial  box  than  in 
the  last  species. 

Tackybaptes  ji.uviatilis  (fig.  189,  p.  388)  has  a  different 
syrinx.  The  last  three  tracheal  rings  are  only  fused  in  front, 
though  they  are  closely  united  laterally.  These  rings  are 
much  ossified.  The  insertion  of  the  intrinsic  muscles  is 
remarkable.  They  run  obliquely  forward,  converging,  to  be 
inserted  into  the  last  three  tracheal  rings.  The  first  bron- 
chial semi-ring  is  arched,  and  ossified  in  front,  where  it  is 
fused  with  the  tracheal  box  ;  otherwise  it  and  the  succeeding 
rings  are  cartilaginous.  It  is  clear,  therefore,  that  the 
syringeal  characters  justify  the  generic  distinction  here 
adopted. 

The  cervical  vertebra  are  more  numerous  in  the  grebes 
than  in  the  divers ;  they  are  only  fourteen  or  fifteen  in  the 
latter,  twenty-one  in  ^Echmophorus  and  Podicipes  conni- 
tus.  Cervical  vertebrge  10  to  16  in  ^Echmophorus  '  have 
a  catapophysial  canal;  on  17  and  18  the  hypapophyses 
are  blade-like  and  enormous  ;  these  processes  extend  to 
the  very  end  of  the  dorsal  series.  The  last  cervical  and 
the  first  three  dorsals  are  fused.  There  is  no  catapophysial 

1  A  canal  is  nearly  formed  in  Podiceps, 


390 


STRUCTURE    A^D    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIKES 


canal  in  Colymlus  ;  but  the  hypapophyses  are  greatly  deve- 
loped, and  in  the  dorsal  region  Y-shaped,  with  widely  diver- 
gent flattened  and  expanded  limbs.  None  of  the  dorsal 
vertebrae  are  fused.  Six  ribs  reach  the  sternum  in  the  two 
grebes  mentioned  ;  eight  or  nine  in  the  divers.  The  stern  inn 
is  one-notched  ;  in  the  grebes  it  has  in  addition  a  median 
triangular  notch.  There  is  no  anterior  spine  to  the  sternum 
in  the  grebes.  The  procoracoid  is  moderately  large  and 
hooked  in  the  divers,  absent  in  grebes.  The  pelvis  is  very 
elongated  and  compressed,  as  in  Hespcroniis,  but  the  ischia 
are  not  free  from  the  ilia,  as  in  that  bird. 

In  the  skeleton  of  the  leg  the  most  conspicuous  feature 
is  the  highly  developed  cnemial  crest.  The  patella  too  is 
very  large  in  the  grebes,  but  not  in  Colymbidae,  where,  indeed, 
it  is  not  ossified.  In  these  particulars  the  grebes  resemble 
Hesperuniis.  The  principal  skull  characters  have  been 
already  mentioned  in  the  definition  of  the  group.  In  addition 
to  these  matters  the  strongly  marked  temporal  fossae  may  be 
mentioned,  which  nearly  meet  on  the  upper  surface  of  the 
skull.  They  are  not  so  well  marked  in  the  small  Podicipex 
i/iiiwr.  In  the  divers  are  strongly  marked  furrows  for  the 
supra-orbital  glands  ;  this  is  not  the  case  with  the  grebes. 
The  former  have  also  a  single  median  occipital  foramen 
above  the  foramen  magnum.  The  ectethmoids  exhibit  the 
bullate  form  so  characteristic  of  the  Anseres. 

It  may  be  useful  to  state  in  a  tabular  form  the  principal 
characters  of  the  grebes  and  divers.1 


— 

Muscle 
Formula 

(  'iirotids 

Cerv. 
Vert. 

Dors.  Vert. 

No.  of 

Semi- 

mil*             nosus 

Grebes 
Divers 

BX- 
ABX  + 

1 
2 

21 

15 

Ankylosed          4-f> 
Not  mik.            8,9 

+ 

These  characters  appear  distinctly  to  point  to  the  more 
modified  structure  of  the  grebes.  There  are  reasons  (p.  165) 
for  regarding  a  small  number  of  cervical  vertebrae  and  a 

The  extinct  Colijmboidcs  (C.minnfun,  M.-Ei>.  ;  C.  anr/Ucus,  LYDEKKEB),  of 
which  the  former  is  known  by  a  humerus,  the  latter  by  a  coracoid,  and  possibly 
a  piece  of  sternum,  is  said  to  combine  the  characters  of  grebes  and  divers. 


COLYMBI  391 

large  number  of  complete  ribs  as  more  archaic  characters 
than  the  reverse  ;  the  other  features  as  evidence  of  degenera- 
tion require  no  comment. 

In  considering,  then,  the  affinities  of  the  Colymbi  the 
Colymbida?  are  to  be  chiefly  taken  into  account.  But  any 
comparisons  bristle  with  difficulties.  The  late  Mr.  FORBES 
in  his  final  scheme  of  classification  definitely  associated  the 
Colymbi  with  the  Heliornithidae ;  in  this  course  I  supported 
him  by  reason  of  certain  muscular  characters  of  both  groups 
of  birds.  The  outward  appearance,  too,  of  both  birds  is  not 
at  variance  with  such  an  affinity.  The  muscular  formula  of 
the  leg  is  the  very  unusual  one  of  ABX  + .  This  reduced 
formula  is  found  in  Podoa  and  in  the  Sphenisci,  Anatida?, 
Tubinares,  Plialacrocorax,  and  certain  Alcidae.  It  is  to  be  noted 
that  all  of  these  are  at  least  largely  aquatic  in  their  habits,  a 
fact  which  must,  of  course,  discount  the  value  of  the  character  ; 
but  still  ABX  is  an  unusual  formula,  and  there  are  other 
grounds  for  regarding  the  birds  mentioned  (with  the  excep- 
tion, perhaps,  of  the  Alcida?)  as  having  some  relation  to  each 
other.  The  insertion  of  the  biceps  slip  on  to  the  patagium 
allies  Colymbus  and  Podoa  ;  though  this  also  occurs  in  other 
birds,  it  is,  again,  in  some  that  are  presumably  not  far  from 
the  Colymbi  :  for  example,  of  the  forty  characters  selected 
by  GADOW  for  the  comparison  of  the  various  groups  of  birds 
the  Colymbidae  agree  with  the  Sphenisci  in  twenty-eight  ; 
with  the  Tubinares  in  twenty-seven  ;  with  the  Steganopodes  in 
twenty-six ;  with  the  Anatidae  in  twenty-three  ;  with  the 
Heliornithidaj  in  twenty-three. 

On  the  other  hand  there  are  twenty-five  points  of  likeness 
to  the  Laridse,  as  deduced  from  the  same  tables,  and  no  less 
than  twenty-nine  to  the  Alcse.  As  might  indeed  be  imagined, 
it  would  be  rash  to  lay  much  stress  upon  the  proportions  of 
these  numbers.  It  is  not  to  my  mind  clear  with  which  of 
the  groups  mentioned  the  Colymbi  are  most  nearly  allied. 
Their  undoubted  relationship  to  the  Hesper  or  niches  is  treated 
of  on  another  page  (p.  395)  ;  and  it  is  perhaps  this  very  fact 
which  prevents  us  from  detecting  likenesses  to  more  modern 
(?)  groups. 


393         STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


HESPERORNITHES 

Definition. — Large  extinct  birds  of  a  diver-like  form.  Skull  holorhinal, 
with,  supra-orbital  impressions.  Vomers  paired.  Quadrate 
single-headed.  Sternum  without  keel.  Shoulder  girdle  platy- 
coracoidal ;  clavicles  fully  developed.  Fore  limb  represented  by 
Immerus  only. 

The  principal  source  of  information  concerning  the 
remarkable  genus  Hesperornis,  from  the  Cretaceous  of  North 
America  (to  which  three  species,  viz.  H.  regalis,  H.  crassipes, 
.and  H.  gracilis,  are  assigned),  is  naturally  the  magnificent 
treatise  on  this  bird  (and  on  Ichthyornis)  by  MAESH.  ' 

The  bird  stood  about  six  feet  high,  and  presented  the 
general  form  of  the  diver,  to  which  bird  it  is  now  held  to 
come  nearest.  MAESH,  however,  compared  it  more  especially 
with  the  Struthiones,  and  it  is  spoken  of  by  him  and  by 
•others  as  an  '  aquatic  ostrich.'  The  former  view  now  holds 
the  field. 

There  are,  nevertheless,  various  struthious  features  in 
the  skull,  and  in  other  parts  of  the  skeleton,  some  of 
which  may  be  held  to  be  due  to  its  loss  of  the  power  of 
flight ;  others  are  not  so  explicable  from  the  point  of  view  of 
our  actual  knowledge  of  bird  structure. 

The  skull  has  the  general  contours  of  that  of  the  diver, 
and,  like  that  bird,  has  very  well-marked  furrows  for  the 
supra-orbital  glands.  The  nasal  bones  produce  a  holorhinal 
nostril.  The  figure  given  by  MAESH  of  the  upper  surface  of 
the  skull  is  a  little  suggestive  of  there  having  been  an  ap- 
pearance of  the  ossified  ethmoid  on  the  surface  of  the  skull, 
as  in  some  struthious  birds  and  tinamous.  The  interorbital 
septum  is  fairly  ossified  with  a  large  foramen.  The  lacrymal 
is  large  with  a  large  descending  process,  which  nearly,  if  not 
quite,  reaches  the  jugal  bar.  The  pitting  of  the  premaxil- 
laries  led  MAESH  to  the  inference  that  the  beak  was  present, 
in  addition  to  the  teeth,  which  will  be  presently  referred  to. 

The  skull  has    been    described  as    '  saurognathous,'    on 

1  Odontornithes.     Washington,  1880. 


HESPEKOKNITHES  393 

account  of  the  paired  vomers.  These  were,  however,  not 
particularly  like  the  presumed  vomers  of  the  woodpeckers 
(see  p.  187).  Each  bone  is  broad  behind,  where  it  may,  as 
in  struthious  birds,  have  articulated  with  the  pterygoids,  and 
tapers  in  front  to  almost  a  point.  It  is  not  clear  whether 
the  bird  really  had,  as  MARSH  is  disposed  to  infer,  a  '  dromseo- 
gnathous  '  palate.  In  any  case  the  basipterygoid  processes 
are  present,  and  the  articulations  on  the  pterygoids  are 
towards  the  posterior  end  of  these  bones,  as  in  the  skull  of 
the  Struthiones.  The  palatines  are  longi&h  bones,  and  are 
compared  to  those  of  the  ostrich.  They  taper  in  front.  As 
in  most  Struthiones  the  articular  head  of  the  quadrate,  for 
articulation  with  the  skull,  is  not  divided  into  two  facets. 
The  rami  of  the  lower  jaw  do  not  appear  to  have  been 
ankylosed  together,  but  to  have  been  connected  by  a  possibly 
merely  chondrified  or  ligamentous  tract,  which  would  have 
allowed  a  gaping  of  the  mandibles — seen  partly  in  the 
pelican,  and  obviously  useful  to  a  fish-eating  bird,  as  we 
may  presume  Hesperomis  to  have  been.  Both  lower  and 
upper  jaws  have  teeth,  which  are  implanted  in  a  continuous 
groove,  widened  at  the  implantation  of  each  tooth.  In  the 
upper  jaw  the  teeth  are  limited  to  the  maxillas,  and  there 
were  fourteen  to  each  maxilla.  The  lower  jaw  had  teeth 
along  its  entire  length,  and  the  number  given  is  thirty- 
three. 

The  vertebra  are  saddle-shaped.  The  number  of  cervical 
vertebras  is  seventeen.  The  entire  vertebral  column  con- 
sisted of  forty-nine  vertebrae.  None  are  ankylosed,  except,  of 
course,  the  sacral  series,  and  some  at  the  end  of  the  tail. 
Pneumatic  openings  were  not  discoverable  in  any  of  the 
vertebra?.  The  atlas  has  not  been  found.  In  no  vertebra 
do  the  catapophyses  seem  to  have  united  to  form  a  ventral 
canal,  a  state  of  affairs  which  is  occasionally  met  with  in 
the  Struthiones  and  is  characteristic  of  the  Herodiones  and 
Steganopodes.  The  fourteenth  cervical  is  extraordinary  by 
reason  of  the  enormous  size  of  the  two  catapophyses,  which 
are  approximated  and  nearly  parallel.  The  following  vertebra 
has  the  first  median  hypapophysis,  which  is  bifid  at  the  free 


39i         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

tip  ;    the   hypapophyses    die    away    on    the    fourth    dorsal 
vertebra. 

With  regard  to  the  caudal  vertebrae,  the  most  remarkable 
fact  is  that  while  there  is  no  pygostyle  there  is  no  rudi- 
mentary state  of  affairs  observable  ;  for  the  last  few  vertebrae 
have  greatly  expanded  transverse  processes,  which  would  not 
move  independently.  MARSH  thinks  that  '  the  end  of  the  tail 
would  move  mainly  as  a  whole.  This  would  give  great 
power,  similar  to  that  in  the  beaver's  tail  or  the  flexible  blade 
of  an  oar.' 

As  to  the  shoulder  girdle,  the  scapula  is  in  the  same 
straight  line,  or  nearly  so,  with  the  coracoid ;  it  belongs,  in 
fact,  to  what  FURBRINGER  has  termed  the  '  platycoracoidal  ' 
type,  seen  also  in  the  Struthiones.  But,  contrary  to  what  we 
find  in  those  birds,  there  is  not  a  fusion  between  the  cora- 
coids  and  scapula  in  Hesperoniis,  and  there  is,  moreover,  a 
complete  pair  of  clavicles.  The  coracoid  has  a  strong  pro- 
coracoidal  process,  and  also  a  supra-coracoidal  foramen,  as  in 
various  Struthiones. 

The  two  coracoids  are  widely  removed  at  their  articula- 
tion with  the  sternum.  The  clavicles,  though  complete, 
appear  to  have  joined  each  other  ventrally  by  a  joint ;  they 
arise  from  the  procoracoid.  The  sternum,  which  has  articu- 
lar surfaces  for  five  ribs,  has  no  keel.  It  is  notched  in  the 
middle  line  posteriorly,  and  is  wider  in  front  than  behind. 
The  elongated  form  of  the  sternum  is  compared  by  MAI:SII 
to  that  of  Uria.  The  ribs  have  uncinate  processes. 

The  fore  limb  of.  Hesperornis  appears  to  have  consisted 
only  of  the  humerus,  as  no  other  bones  were  discovered,  and 
as  there  were  no  distal  facets  for  articulation  with  a  radius 
and  ulna. 

The  pelvis  of  Hes'perornis  in  its  general  form  resembles 
that  of  Podicepx.  The  constituent  bones  are,  however, 
entirely  free  distally.  The  acetabulum  is  closed  by  bone,  a 
state  of  affairs  only  seen  in  the  emu  and  to  some  extent  in 
Tinamus. 

The  ischium  has  no  processes  tending  upwards  to  the 
ilium  and  downwards  to  the  pubis,  as  in  Struthiones. 


HESPElIOliXITHES  :;<>.-, 

The  prepubic  process  is  large,  but  not  larger  than  in  certain 
recent  birds,  and  not  so  large  as  in  Geococcyx  and  Tiiuuimx. 

'  The  femur  of  Hesperornis  is  remarkably  short  and  stout, 
more  so  than  in  any  known  bird,  recent  or  fossil.'  The  tili/i 
has  an  enormous  cnemial  crest,  as  in  divers,  and  the  patella 
is  a  huge  bone  ;  the  latter  is  perforated  by  a  foramen  for  the 
ambiens  muscle.  The  feet  have  four  toes. 

Nothing  is  known  about  the  soft  parts  of  this  bird,  save 
the  feathers,  which  have  been  lately l  stated  to  be  quite 
ostrich-like.  But  casts  of  the  brain  have  brought  to  light 
the  interesting  fact  that  it  has  smaller  cerebral  hemispheres 
than  are  found  in  any  existing  bird. 

It  seems  clear  that,  as  D'AncY  THOMPSON  and  others  have 
argued,  the  nearest  affinities  of  Hesperornis  are  with  the 
Colymbi.  That  they  are  more  nearly  related  to  the  ratites 
was  the  opinion  of  MARSH.  The  likeness  to  the  ratites, 
however,  seems  mainly  to  be  based  upon  the  degenerate 
structure  of  the  wings  in  both.  The  degeneration  of  the 
wings,  however,  has  not  proceeded  along  precisely  similar 
lines.  Although  the  angle  between  the  scapula  and  the 
coracoid  is  nearly  as  open  as  in  the  ratites,  the  two  bones 
have  not  become  ankylosed  ;  and  moreover  the  clavicles  are 
retained.  The  fact  that  of  the  fore  limb  only  the  humerus 
remains  (at  least  in  an  ossified  condition)  may  be  compared 
with  the  fact  that  in  the  Dinornithidse  traces  of  the  same 
bone  have  been  met  with.  On  the  other  hand  there  are 
more  positive  likenesses  to  the  Colymbi,  which  are  not  so 
clearly  due  to  the  immediate  action  of  environment.  The 
long  and  narrow  pelvis,  and  the  huge  cnemial  crest  with  the 
relatively  enormous  patella,  are  among  the  more  salient  points 
of  resemblance. 

The  characters  in  which  the  Hesperornith.es  approach  the 
Colymbi  are  divided  between  the  two  families  of  the  latter 
group  ;  in  some  points  Hesperornis  is  more  of  a  diver  ;  in 
others  it  comes  nearer  to  the  grebes.  The  following  table 
of  comparison  may  help  to  make  its  '  mixed '  characters 
clear  :— 

1  In  a  letter  to  Nature,  April  8,  1897,  by  Prof.  MARSH. 


396         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


Hi  >|irriiniis 


( 'erv.  vert.  .         .  17 


14, 15  17--21 


Catapopli.  canal      .00 

lln'inap.           .         .         -     With  expanded    With  expanded  Not  so  expanded 

ends                       ends  at  ends 

Dors.  vert,  fused      .         .             None                     None  Several 

Patella    ....             Large                Very  small  Large 

S/tjira-orbit.  groan:*         .             Large                    Large  Not  marked 


With  the  grebes  Hesperornis  agrees  in  only  two  of  the 
characters,  and  in  the  remaining  four  with  the  divers.  It 
presents  in  fact,  as  might  be  expected  of  so  ancient  a  form,  a 
compound  of  the  grebe  and  the  diver. 

We  cannot  however,  in  my  opinion,  put  it  down  defi- 
nitely as  the  ancestral  form  whence  both  divers  and  grebes 
have  branched  off ;  but  it  seems  to  approach  that  form, 
agreeing  as  it  does  in  most  points  with  the  more  generalised 
divers.1 

SPHENISCI 2 

Definition. — Moderately  sized  to  large  birds,  with,  wings  modified  to 
form  a  swimming  paddle.  Aftershaft  present.  Feathering 
continuous.  Oil  gland  tufted.  Muscle  formula  of  leg,  ABX  +  . 
Wo  biceps  brachii  or  expansor  secundariorum.  Two  carotids. 
Skull  schizognathous,  holorhmal,  without  basipterygoid  pro- 
cesses. Dorsal  vertebrae  markedly  opisthocoelous.  Scapula 
flattened  and  expanded.  Metatarsals  short  and  incompletely 
fused. 

The  anatomy  of  the  penguins  has  been  mainly  investi- 
gated by  MENZBIEE  2  and  WATSON. 2  The  group,  which  is 
entirely  antarctic,  contains  the  genera  Eudyptes,  Aptenodytes, 
Pygosceles,  and  Spheniscus. 

1  For  discussion  of  the  affinities  of  the  Hesperornis  see,  besides  MARSH  and 
FUKBRINGER  and  GADOW  in  their  large  works.  FURBRINGER,  '  liber  die  syste- 
matische  Stellung  der  Hesperornithidse,'  Orn.  Monatssc.hr.  d.  deutscJi.  Vcr.  z. 
Sclmtz.  Vogel,  xv.  1890,  p.  488  ;  F.  HELM,  '  On  the  Affinities  of  Hexjiernniin,' 
Nature,  xliii.  1891,  p.  368  ;  SHUFELDT,  '  On  the  Affinities  of  Hesperornis,'  ibid. 
p.  176 ;  D'A.  W.  THOMPSON,  '  On  the  Systematic  Position  of  Hesperornis,'  Html. 
Mus.  Univ.  Coll.  Dundee,  i.  1890. 

•  Since  WATSON'S  'Report  on  the  Penguins  collected  by  the  Challenger' 
the  following  papers  have  appeared  :  M.  MENZBIER,  '  Vergleichende  Osteologie 
der  Penguine,'  &c.,  Bull.  Soc.  Imp.  Nat.  Mosc.,  1887 ;  H.  SCHAUINSLAND,  '  Zur 
EntwickelungdesPinguins,'  Ycrh.  Ges.  DeutscJi.  Natitrf.  Leipzig,  1891,  p.  135  ; 
STUDER  in  Zoology  of  S.  M.  S.  '  Gazelle.' 


SPIIENISCI  397 

The  penguins  have  a  continuous  feathering,  the  feathers 
acquiring  upon  the  paddle-like  wing  a  scaly  aspect ;  '  they 
have  an  aftershaft.  The  oil  gland  is  tufted. 

In  the  myology  of  the  fore  limb  the  most  remarkable 
fact  is  the  entire  absence  of  the  biceps,  a  muscle  which  is 
wanting  nowhere  else  among  birds.  There  are  also  absent 
the  expansor  secundariorum,  scapulo-humeralis  anterior,  and 
serratus  metapatagialis.  The  tensor  patagii  loiigus  is  pre- 
sent, and  its  tendon  is  inserted  on  to  the  whole  length  of  the 
bones  of  the  arm  as  far  as  the  extremity  of  the  last  phalanx. 
The  latixxiinus  dorsi  is  peculiar  in  that  its  two  parts,  ending 
in  thin  tendons,  pass  side  by  side  through  a  pulley  arising 
from  the  scapula.  The  pectoral-is  major  (of  E.  clirysocome) 
meets  its  fellow  in  the  middle  line  over  the  carina  sterni,  as 
in  tinamous,  &c.  In  the  hind  limb  the  muscle  formula  is 
ABX+.  The  semimembranosiis  is  remarkable  for  the  fact 
that  it  has,  besides  the  usual  head  of  origin,  a  second  from 
the  aponeurosis  of  the  abdominal  muscles.  The  accessory 
femorocaudal  (in  E.  chrysocome)  sends  a  muscular  slip  to  the 
tendon  of  the  femorocaudal.  The  tibialis  anticus  divides  in 
Spheniscus  mendiculus  into  two  heads  of  insertion  ;  in  other 
species  its  insertion,  as  is  usual  with  birds,  is  single.  There 
is  but  one  peroneu-s  present,  the  longus.  The  deep  flexors 
are  as  in  birds  with  but  three  well-developed  toes,  i.e.  they 
blend.  In  S.  dc-mersus  there  is  a  slip  to  the  hallux  ;  in 
Pygosceles  papua,  as  in  Heliornis,  the  flexor  hallucis  splits 
into  three  tendons,  one  for  each  branch  of  flexor  profundus, 
there  being  110  slip  to  hallux.  The  glutaeus  maximus  is 
absent  in  Eudyptcs,  limited  in  extent  in  the  other  genera. 
The  ambiens  grooves  the  patella. 

In  the  vascular  system  the  most  remarkable  fact  is  the 
breaking  up  of  the  brachial  artery  into  a  rete  in  the  arm. 
There  are  two  carotids,  which  do  not  fuse.  In  the  leg  the 
sciatic  artery  is  practically  absent. 

1  It  is  stated  that  when  moulting  the  scale-like  feathers  of  the  wing  are 
detached  in  a  continuous  piece,  as  with  reptiles  (BAKTLETT,  P  Z.  S.  1879, 
p.  6). 


.898         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


The  tongue  and  the  roof  of  the  mouth  are  covered  with 

papillae. 

The  provcntriculus  has  a  patch  of  glands  upon  the  right 
side,  heart-shaped  in  Eudyptes  chrysocome  and  Spheniscus 
demersus ;  the  gizzard  is  small  and  not  gizzard-like.  In 
Pygosceles  the  proventricular  gland,  however,  is  zonary,  and 
the  same  state  of  affairs  was  found  in  one  of  four  examples 
of  Aptenodijtes. 

In  Eudyptes  chrysocome  the  gut  is  thrown  into  a  vast 
number  of  primitive  irregular  folds.  The  duodenal  loop  is 
excessively  complicated,  more  so  than  in  Haliaetus,  to  which 
it  bears  some  (probably  a  convergent)  resemblance. 

The  following  are  the  intestinal  measurements  of  a  series 
of  species  :— 


- 

Small  Int.                      Large  Int. 

(  'WCM 

Fr,  In. 

Inches 

Inches 

E/nJi/jitcs  chrysocome 

11  8  (14  ft,  8  in., 

3 

i*    ! 

23  ft.) 

,,         chrysolophus    . 

21  3  (20  ft.) 

3i  (3  in.)            ?  1 

Sphenisctts  magellanicus 

Aptenodijtes  longirostr^  . 

30  6  (19  ft.) 
21  8  (17  ft.  10  in.) 

4                          H 
41                        ii 

*2                                      A2 

From  these  data,  which  are  extracted  from  WATSON'S 
memoir  already  referred  to,  it  is  clear  that  there  is  some 
individual  variation  in  the  length  of  the  small  intestine 
among  the  penguins,  which  is,  indeed,  greater  than  anything 
that  has  been  recorded  in  any  other  group  of  birds.  That 
the  ca3ca  are  so  small  is  a  curious  fact  in  the  structure  of  a 
fish-eating  bird. 

In  the  liver  the  right  lobe  is  larger  than  the  left  in  all 
species.  The  gall  bladder  is  large  and  extends  a  long  way 
down  the  abdominal  cavity,  as  in  the  toucans. 

The  syrinx  is  not  especially  divergent  in  structure.  The 
trachea  has  a  septum  down  the  middle,  as  in  certain 
petrels  (q.v.)  The  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  to  the 
tracheal  rings  a  considerable  distance  above  the  bifurcation 
of  the  tube,  the  distance  varying  from  species  to  species. 
There  is  but  little  fusion  between  the  last  rings  of  the 
trachea.  In  Eudyptes  chrysocome  there  is  a  thick  fibrous 


SPHENISCI  399 

pad  at  the  commencement  of  the  membrana  tympaniformis. 
There  is  a  tendency,  as  in  the  petrels,  to  the  formation  of  ;i 
bronchial  syrinx.  This  is  especially  well  seen  in  Aptenodytes 
and  Pygosceles.  In  the  latter  penguin  the  rings,  three  or 
four  of  them,  after  the  bifurcation  preserve  the  character  of 
the  tracheal  rings,  being  deeper  than  those  which  follow, 
and  being  at  the  same  time  complete  rings. 

In  the  penguin's  skull  the  sutures  are  not  so  completely 
closed  as  in  most  birds ;  in  this  they  resemble  the  ratites 
among  existing  birds. 

In  Eudijptes  chrysocome,  which  may  be  taken  as  a  type 
of  the  Sphenisci,  the  skull  is  schizognathous  ;  the  maxillo- 
palatines  are  thin  plates  which  are  curved  backwards,  as  in 
many  Passeres  and  in  some  other  schizognathous  birds  ;  but, 
instead  of  being  flatter  upon  the  ventral  and  dorsal  surfaces, 
they  are  compressed  laterally.  These  bones  gently  nip  the 
vomer,  which  is  also  composed  of  two  flattened  rami  partially 
separated  up  to  nearly  the  very  anterior  end.  The  palatines 
are  large  and  flat  with  a  very  slightly  developed  internal 
lamina  ;  they  nearly  come  into  contact  in  the  middle  line. 
The  pterygoids  are  unique  among  birds  for  their  relatively 
immense  size ;  their  shape  is  almost  that  of  the  human 
scapula,  the  wider  region  being  at  their  junction  with  the 
palatines.  Each  pterygoid  is  perforated  at  the  middle  of 
the  wider  part.  The  nostrils  are  holorhinal,  and  the  nasal 
bones  at  their  posterior  extremity  are  seen  to  overlap  the 
frontals.  There  are  strongly  marked  impressions  for  the 
supra-orbital  glands.  The  lacrymals  reach  the  jugals,  where 
they  expand  into  a  flattened  foot ;  the  descending  limb  of 
each  lacrymal,  which  is  flattened  out  in  a  plane  parallel  with 
the  long  axis  of  the  skull,  is  there  perforated  by  a  very  large 
foramen.  It  is  extraordinary  that  in  this  bone,  as  in  the 
maxilio-palatines,  the  plane  of  the  bone  is  in  a  different 
direction  from  that  of  the  same  bones  in  other  birds.  There 
are  no  ossified  ectethmoids.  On  either  side  of  the  foramen 
magnum  are  occipital  fontanelles  of  small  size.  The  inter- 
orbital  septum  is  largely  vacuolate  posteriorly.  In  front  of 
the  occipital  condyle,  in  the  region  occupied  by  the  basi- 


400         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

occipital  and  the  basitemporals,  is  a  hollowed  area  which 
suggests  the  impress  of  the  potter's  thumb.  The  thumb  of 
the  writer  exactly  fills  it. 

The  symphysis  of  the  lower  jaws  is  of  unusually  limited 
extent.1 

The  vertebral  column  of  Spheniscus  Hiimboldti  consists 
of  twenty-one  vertebrae  in  front  of  the  sacrum,  of  which 
fifteen  are  cervical.  The  atlas  is  notched  for  the  odontoid 
process.  The  catapophyses  do  not  form  a  canal ;  hypapo- 
physes  commence  on  the  eleventh  cervical  and  continue  to 
the  last  dorsal  but  one  ;  they  are  large  on  the  twelfth  and 
thirteenth  ;  on  the  fourteenth  they  have  greatly  diminished, 
but  there  are  two  large  lateral  catapophyses  wThich  on  C15 
form  two  large  flanges  (as  in  the  diver)  ;  these  arise  from 
one  base  or  Dl,  and  gradually  diminish  into  a  single  median 
hypapophysis  again.  The  first  dorsal  is  the  first  vertebra 
to  be  opisthocoelous,  but  it  is  heterocoelous  in  front.  The 
opisthocoelous  characters  of  the  dorsal  vertebrae  of  the 
penguins  are  better  marked  than  in  other  recent  birds  in 
which  the  same  structure  of  vertebra  occurs  (cf.  p.  111). 
In  (Edicnemiis,  for  example,  some  of  the  dorsal  vertebrae  are 
opisthocoelous,  but  the  convexity  in  front  is  by  no  means  so 
clear  as  in  the  penguins. 

The  scapula  is  remarkable  for  its  great  breadth  posteriorly, 
which  narrows  towards  the  neck.  In  Pygoscdes  it  is  wider 
actually  as  well  as  relatively  than  in  Spheniscus,  and  has  a 
truncated  extremity  ;  the  same  is  the  case  with  Eudyptes 
and  Aptenodijtes. 

The  coracoid  also  shows  some  differences.  In  Sphcnix<--ux 
the  procoracoid  fuses  below  with  the  coracoid,  leaving  an 
oval  foramen  about  half  an  inch  long ;  at  the  sternal  end  of 
the  bone  is  a  short  upwardly  directed  snag  of  bone.  In 
Pygosceles  the  procoracoid  is  not  fused  with  the  coracoid, 
but  it  is  carried  on  by  ligament  to  the  snag  at  the  base  of 
the  coracoid — as  probably  also  in  Spheniscus.  The  acro- 


1  MENZBIEE  describes  the  quadrate  as  single-headed.     This  is  not  accepted 

by  FuRBRINGER. 


SPIIENISCl  401 

coracoid  in  both  is  very  long.  The  fnrc.'iila  is  strong  and 
U-shaped. 

The  bones  of  the  anterior  extremity  are  extraordinarily 
flattened,  in  accordance  with  the  paddle-like  function  of  the 
limb. 

The  stcr mi  in  is  roughly  triangular,  with  a  well-developed 
keel.  There  are  twro  lateral  notches  (one  on  each  side), 
which  are  united  distally  by  cartilage  and  membrane.  There 
is  a  spina  externa,  but  no  spina  interim. 

The  pelvis,  unlike  what  is  found  in  the  majority  of  birds, 
is  remarkable  for  the  fact  that  the  pubes  take  a  share  in  the 
formation  of  the  acetabulum.  The  ilia  are  well  separated 
from  each  other  by  the  neural  spines  of  the  dorsal  vertebrae. 
The  pelvis  is  thus  perfectly  free  from,  not  ankylosed  to,  the 
vertebral  column. 

The  point  of  chief  interest  in  the  hind  limb  of  this  group 
is  the  imperfect  fusion  between  the  short  metatarsals,  which 
closely  resemble  those  of  the  dinosaur  Ceratosaurus.  The 
only  recent  bird  which  approaches  the  penguins  in  the 
shortness  of  these  bones  is  Fregata. 

Fossil  penguins  are  the  genera  Pculceeudyptes  and  Palce- 
xjilK'itixcus.  The  latter,  from  the  Tertiariesof  New  Zealand, 
was  originally  described  by  HUXLEY,'  and  later  by  HECTOR. 2 
It  was  a  large  bird  standing  some  five  feet  in  height,  the 
recent  birds  not  being  larger  than  three  feet.  The  wings 
were  proportionately  longer  than  in  recent  birds,  while  the 
partly  separate  metatarsals  were  as  is  the  case  now  ;  hence 
this  latter  character  is  obviously  an  inherited  one  in  the 
recent  penguins. 

The  affinities  of  the  penguins  are  not  clear.  This  is  due 
to  their  antiquity,  the  existing  characters  of  the  group  having 
been  apparently  acquired  in  the  Tertiary  period.  The  main 
facts  of  structure  in  which  the  penguins  differ  from  other 
birds  are— 

(1)   Continuous  feathering  (except  Chauna). 

1  '  On  a  Fossil  Bird  .  .  .  from  New  Zealand,'  Q.  J.  (iwl.  Sue.  LSoK,  p.  070 
-  '  On  the  Remains  of  a  Gigantic  Penguin,'  Trans.  New  Zealand  fnxt.  1871, 
p.  341.     '  Further  Notice  of  Bones  of  a  Fossil  Penguin,'  &c.,  ibid.  Ls7'2,  p.  438. 

D  D 


40i'         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

(2)  Scale-like  feathering  of  the  flattened  wing. 

(3)  Absence  of  biceps  brachii  muscle. 

(4)  Presence  of  a  vascular  rete  in  the  wing. 

(5)  Freedom  of  cranial  bones  (not  so  marked  in  Eatitse). 

(7)  Large  and  flattened  scapula. 

(8)  Short  and  imperfectly  fused  metatarsals. 

The  opisthoco3lous  character  of  the  lumbar  vertebrae  is 
more  pronounced  than  in  other  birds,  but  is,  as  has  been 
already  said,  a  character  found  in  many  groups. 

These  features,  some  of  them,  have  appeared  so  important 
to  MENZBIER  that  he  has  divided  birds  into  four  great 
groups — Saururas,  Eatitse,  Odontorma?,  Carinatas,  and,  finally, 
the  Eupodornithes  or  penguins.  This,  however,  seems  to  be 
a  too  great  separation  from  other  birds.  GADOW  would 
place  them  nearest  to  the  Tubinares  and  Steganopodes,  the 
Colymbi  being  only  a  little  further  removed. 

STEGANOPODES 

Definition.— All  four  toes  webbed.1  Oil  gland  tufted;  aquincubital. 
Skull  desmognathous,  holorhinal,  without  basipterygoid  pro- 
cesses.2 Cseca  present,  but  small. 

Though  this  group  shows  much  divergency  of  structure, 
its  naturalness  can  hardly  be  doubted.  The  number  of 
rectrices  varies.  In  Phalacrocora.v  6;v/.sv7/Vy/.s/.s  and  graculus 
there  are  twelve,  so  also  in  Frcgata  aquila  and  Plot  UK 
f  lulling  a?  Phaeton,  has  twelve  or  sixteen.  P.  carbo  has  four- 
teen. Pelecanus  has  up  to  twenty  and  twenty-four. 

The  aftershaft  is  minute  but  distinct  in  Frcgata,  appa- 
rently absent  in  Plotus  and  other  genera. 

The  skin  is  only  slightly  pneumatic  in  Fregata,  not  so  at 
all  in  Plotus.  It  is  distinctly  emphysematous  in  Phaeton.* 
Pelecanus. 

1  This  one  feature  is  sufficient  to  define  the  group. 
'-  Rudiments  exist  in  Pelecanus  ;  cf.  infra,  p.  409. 

3  P.  melanogaster  appears  to  have  only  ten. 

4  Some   few  details  of   the   structure    of   the    soft  parts  of  this   tern-like 
steganopod  are  to  be  found  in  BRANDT,  '  Monographia  Phaethontum,'  Mem.  Ac 


STEGANOPODES 


403 


The  tufted  oil  gland  has  four  orifices  in  Phalacrocorax 
brasiliensis  and  in  Plotus  melauog  aster.  Phaeton  has  six, 
the  other  genera  apparently  two,  save  Pelecanus,  which  has 
the  unusually  large  number  of  twelve. 

The  pterylosis,  on  the  other  hand,  is  very  uniform,  and 
the  feathering  is  very  close.  The  neck  and  head  are  closely 
feathered,  and  there  is  a  very  narrow  apterion  on  the  breast. 
The  spinal  tract  has  a  very  limited  apterion  between  the 
shoulder  blades. 

The  tongue  is  small  in  this  group,  practically  obsolete  in 
Plotus  (see  fig.  5,  p.  20).  The  proventricular  glands  are  in  two 
large  squarish  patches  in  Phalacrocorax  (brasiliensis).  The 
remarkable  modifications  of  these  organs  in  Plotus  are 
described  later  (p.  414.) 

The  gizzard  is  very  small  in  Pelecanus  and  Sula,  the 
proventriculus  being  enormous.  The  glands  are  zonary  in 
arrangement. 

The  following  are  measurements  of  the  alimentary  tract 
in  a  series  of  Steganopodes.  The  most  remarkable  fact  to  be 
noted  in  the  table  is  the  great  length  of  the  large  intestine 
in 


Small 
Intestine 

Large 
Intestine 

Creca 

Inches 

Inches 

Inches 

Fregata  aqn/ln            .         .         .            36 

3 

•25 

PJialacrocoi'u.r  l>ru\ilii  •//*/>•          .            42'75 

3 

•2 

„               carbo            .         .           Ill 

4 

•2 

Sula  bassana      ....            57 

2 

•25 

Pelecanus  onocrotalnx         .         .            93 

3 

1-75 

,,           iiiitrcttns    .                   .            90                         2'5 

1-25 

„           rufcxcens    ...             65                          1'5 

1-25 

Plains  anliiinii:            ...            54 

6 

(One  cgecum 

only  in  some 

specimens) 

,,       Lei'nilliuifi      ...            24                        3 

.0 

,,       mel&nogaster    ...           30                       5-5 

•2  * 

Phartoii  x/>  42                          -75                      -2  * 

*  These  measurements  are  derived 

The  varying  proportions  of  the  liver  lobes  l  are  given  in 

St.  Petcrfsbiinj,    Ls40,  p.  239  and  pi.   v.,  and  in  a  paper  by  myself,  P.  Z.   S 
1897,  p.  288. 

1  G.   ALIX,  '  Sur   1'Anatcmie   du   Pelican,'  Bull.   Soc.  ZooL  Fr.  ii.  1877,  p.  ^_ 

D  D  2 


404         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 

the  table  on  p.  415.  The  gall  bladder  appears  to  be  always 
present. 

The  tensores  patagii  of  Fregata1  are  somewhat  compli- 
cated. The  tensor  muscle  gives  off  two  tendons,  of  which 
the  anterior,  the  longus,  is  much  the  thickest.  The  latter 
is  reinforced  by  an  elastic  slip  from  the  deltoid  ridge  of  the 
humerus,  whereupon  it  again  divides  into  two,  a  branch 
going  to  fuse  with  the  brevis  ;  where  this  branch  joins  the 
brevis  tendon  that  tendon  gives  off  a  wristward  slip,  and  is 
itself  continued  over  on  to  the  ulnar  side  of  the  fore  arm. 
There  is  a  patagial  fan  and  a  bony  nodule  where  it  arises 
from  the  junction  of  the  wristward  slip  of  the  brevis  and  the 
extensor  metacarpi  radialis. 

In  Sula  bassana  the  tendons  of  the  brevis  are  two  from 
the  very  first ;  the  anterior  one  corresponds  to  the  wristward 
slip  of  Fregata,  and  from  it  springs  the  patagial  fan. 

The  other  genera  are  not  very  different,  save  that  in  none 
is  there  an  osseous  nodule,  and  that  all  have  a  patagial  fan. 

The  pectoralis  I.  is  double  in  Fregata,  Plotus,  Pelecanus, 
and  Sula,  variable  in  Phaeton,  single  in  Plialacrocorax. 

The  biceps  slip  has  been  occasionally  overlooked.  It  is 
present  in  Plotus,  Plialacrocorax,'1  Phaeton,  and  Sula.3  It  is 
absent  in  Pelecanus,  Fregata. 

Where  present,  however,  it  is  slender,  and  is  attached 
sometimes  to  the  tensor  longus,  as  ordinarily,  and  sometimes 
to  the  patagium  itself,  as  in  Colymbus,  Podica,  &c.  The 
deltoid  has  the  scapular  slip  in  Plialacrocorax. 

The  expansor  secundariorum  has  been  commonly  said  to 
be  absent  from  the  wing  of  the  steganopods.  This  is  not, 
however,  at  least  according  to  FURBRINGER,  an  accurate 
statement  of  the  case.  In  an  embryo  of  Plialacrocorax 
carbo  unmistakable  traces  of  it  were  discovered,  while  in 

287  ;  G.  L.  DUVEENOY,  '  Sur  la  Poche  Mandibulaire  du  Pelican,'  Mem.  I'lnst.  iii. 
1835,  p.  219. 

1  The  anatomy  of  this  genus  has  been  described  by  BUKTOX  in  Linn.  Trans. 

vol.  xiii.  p.  1. 

2  Not  always.     FORBES  records  its  absence  in  P.  br.asilicnsis.     I  did  not  find 
one  in  P.  africanus. 

3  Not  always  ;  it  is  absent  in  S.fnsca  (fide  GAEI;<>]>). 


STEGANOPODES 


405 


Sulct  and  Pelecanus  a  slender  tendon,  running  from  the  arm- 
pit and  ending  in  un striated  (Sula)  or  striated  (Pelecanus} 
fibres  for  the  movement  of  the  secondary  feathers,  was  dis- 
covered. 

The  biccys  is  two-headed  in  the  Steganopodes  ;  but  the 
arrangement  differs  from  what  is  common  among  birds. 
Both  heads,  in  fact,  arise  from  the  coracoid,  but  the  outer 
one,  which  corresponds  to  the  humeral  head  of  other  birds,  is 
also  attached  to  the  humerus.  The  two  muscular  bellies  are 
separate  in  Pelecanus  and  Fregata,  and  their  tendons  unite 


COR. 


COR 


FIG.  190. — ORIGIN  OF  BICEPS  IN  Pelecanus  (LEFT-HAND 
FIGURE)  AND  Phalacrocorax  (AFTER  FURBRINGER) . 

'.'('/-,  corncoM  ;  C,  coracoidal  head  of  biceps  ;  A,  attachment  of  humeral 
B,  its  prolongation  to  coracoid. 

to  divide  again  directly.  In  Fregata,  indeed,  the  division  of 
the  tendon  of  the  coracoidal  head  takes  place  before  the 
junction.  In  Phalacrocorax  africanus  I  found  the  coracoid 
head  alone,  and  it  had  but  one  insertion.  In  Phaeton  and 
Phalacrocorax  and  Sula  the  tendons  of  origin  of  the  two 
heads  from  the  coracoid  are  continuous.  In  Phalacrocorax 
and  Plotus,  at  any  rate,  the  anconaus  has  a  humeral  head. 

The  muscles  of  the  leg  vary  greatly  among  the  Stegano- 
podes.     The  following    are  the    formulae  for  the    different 


genera  :- 


Phaeton  AXY-1 
Plotus  AX  + 


Pelecanus  AX  — 

S/ila  AX  + 


PJialacrocorax  \ 
Fregata  A  + . 


f  ABX  +  - 
1  AX  + 


1  Perhaps  the  ambiens  varies.     GAKROD,  FORBES,  and    I    did  not  find    it. 
FCRBRINGER  marks  it  as  present,  as  does  GADOW. 

-  ABX  P.  carto?     AX  P.  lur/ubris,  P.  brasilicnsis. 


406         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

As  regards  the  other  leg  muscles  Phaeton  has  quite  excep- 
tionally no  tendinous  loop  for  the  biceps  to  pass  through.1 

The  plantar  tendons  blend  in  Fregata,  &c.,  sending  slips 
to  all  four  toes  ;  they  blend  in  Phaeton,  but  send  no  branch 
to  hallux.  In  Plotus  there  is  no  blending,  but  a  strong 
vincnlum,  which  is  attached  to  flexor  perforatus,  just  as  it 
splits  up  into  its  three  branches.  This  too  is  the  case  with 
Phalacrocorax,  but  the  vinculum  is  not  strong. 

In  the  pelicans  (at  any  rate  in  P.  rufescens  and  P. 
mitratus)  there  is  a  curious  relationship  between  the  femoro- 
caudal  and  the  semitendinosus.  The  former  receives  a  tendi- 
nous slip  not  far  from  its  insertion,  which  runs  up  from  the 
middle  of  the  semitendinosus  at  right  angles  to  its  fibres. 
Whether  this  may  be  regarded  as  a  rudiment  of  the  accessory 
semitendinosus  or  not  is  uncertain. 

Another  peculiarity  shared  with  Biziura  lobata,  Colymbu*, 
and  the  extinct  Hesperornis  is  the  perforating  of  the  patella 
by  the  tendon  of  the  ambiens  in  Phalacrocorax.  In  Plotu* 
there  is  a  groove  upon  the  ossified  patella,  and,  remarks 
Professor  GAEEOD,  '  some  of  the  fibrous  ligament  overlapping 
this  groove  shows  traces  of  ossification  ;  so  that  in  aged  birds 
this  groove  may  be  converted  into  a  foramen.' 

Gluiceus  I.  in  the  Steganopodes  is  a  small  muscle,  not 
extending,  or  hardly  extending,  over  the  biceps.  Glutceus 
V.  is  large.  In  Fregata  glutasus  I.  is  absent. 

The  form  of  the  syrinx  of  the  Steganopodes  varies  con- 
siderably, but  in  all  it  is  trach Go-bronchial  ;  intrinsic  muscles 
may  be  present  or  absent.-' 

Of  Pelecanus  I  have  examined  six  species,  viz.  P.  niitratu*, 
P.  onocrotalus,  P.  rufescens,  P.  fitscus,  P.  conspicillatus,  and 
P.  crispus.  In  none  are  there  any  intrinsic  muscles,  and  the 
bronchidesmus  appears  to  be  complete. 

In  P.  conspicillatus  the  organ  of  voice  is  very  simple. 
The  rings  are  but  little  modified.  There  is  a  bony  pessulus, 
which  is  attached  behind  to  the  last  two  tracheal  rings, 

1  This  peculiarity  is,  however,  to  be  found  in  the  swifts. 

2  The  anatomy  of  Pelecanus  rufescens  has  been  described  by  OWEN,  P.  Z.  S. 
1835,  p.  9,  by  MARTIN,  ibid.  p.  16,  and  by  ALIX,  loc.  cit.  on  p.  40:5,  above. 


STEGANOPODES  407 

which  are  fused  and  ossified  where  they  pass  into  it  ;  in 
front  the  last  of  these  and  the  next  following  are  ossified  and 
fused  in  the  middle  line  ;  the  middle  one  of  the  three  is  con- 
tinuous with  the  pessulus. 

P.  m  it  rat  ux  chiefly  differs  in  the  larger  number  of  rings  with 
which  the  broad  three-way  piece  comes  into  contact  in  front 
and  in  the  greater  length  of  the  membrana  tympaniformis. 

P.  fuscus  is  remarkable  for  the  degree  in  which  the 
syrinx  is  flattened  from  before  backwards.  This  is  caused 
by  the  straightening  of  two  of  the  bronchial  semi-rings, 
which  thus  come,  though  hardly  longer  than  the  others,  to 
project  out  considerably  beyond  them.  At  a  first  glance 
these  two  semi-rings  appear  to  be  the  first  two  of  the  bron- 
chial series  which  are  commonly  among  birds  different  from 
those  which  follow.  There  are,  however,  five  pairs  of  bars 
in  front  of  them,  only  separated  in  the  middle  line  in  front 
by  a  furrow  ;  on  slitting  up  the  windpipe  it  may  be  observed 
that  there  is  really  a  septum' between  them,  and  that  they 
are  bronchial.  Owing  to  the  peculiar  form  of  the  sixth  and 
seventh  semi-rings  the  membrana  tympaniformis  is  exposed 
behind,  but  not  in  front. 

P.  ouoc ratal /(*  and  P.  crispns  have  syringes  which  are 
very  much  alike.  When  removed  from  the  body,  at  any 
rate,  the  bronchi  stand  out  at  right  angles  to  the  trachea. 
This  is  due  to  the  very  large  posterior  end  of  the  pessulus, 
which  is  broadened  into  a  bar  at  right  angles  to  and  longer 
than  the  median  portion  of  the  pessulus.  It  is  not  ossified. 
There  is  a  slight  dilatation  of  each  bronchus,  which  is  carried 
to  an  excess  in  the  next  species. 

In  P.  rufescens  the  characters  of  the  syrinx  of  the  last 
species  are  carried  to  an  extreme.  The  pessulus  is  the  same 
in  shape,  but  ossified.  The  bronchi  are  greatly  swollen  for 
the  space  of  about  an  inch,  there  being  occasionally  some 
forking  and  anastomosing  of  the  individual  rings.  The  ends 
of  the  rings  in  the  swollen  region  are  nearly  in  contact,  being- 
separated  only  by  a  narrow  membranous  interval. 

In  Fregata  aqaila  the  syrinx  has  a  pair  of  intrinsic 
muscles  and  the  bronchidesmus  is  incomplete.  The  syrinx 


408         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

is  flattened  from  before  backwards,  and  the  first  two  bronchial 
semi-rings  are  very  prominent.  To  the  first  of  them,  and 
apparently  also  to  the  ring  in  front,  are  attached  the  two 
muscles  into  which  the  intrinsic  muscle  divides.  There  is 
a  membranous  gap  separating  the  last  of  the  specialised 
bronchial  semi-rings  from  the  first  of  those  which  follow, 
whose  border,  moreover,  is  concave  upwards.  The  last  few 
tracheal  rings  are  ossified  and  firmly  fused. 

Phakicrocorax  has  a  complete  bronchidesmus  and  a  single 
pair  of  intrinsic  muscles.  The  first  three  bronchial  semi- 
rings are  very  prominent  and  arched,  and  to  the  third  of 
these  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached.  There  is  a  mem- 
branous gap  between  the  last  of  these  and  the  first  of  the 
remaining  series  of  bronchial  semi-rings,  which  forms,  at  any 
rate  in  P.  carbo,  quite  a  pocket.  The  fourth  bronchial  semi- 
ring is  curved  in  the  same  direction  as  that  which  precedes 
it  ;  both,  in  fact,  are  convex.  The  curvature,  which  is  slightly 
more  marked  in  P.  brasiliensis  than  in  either  P.  carbo  or 
P.  varius,  suggests  very  much  the  syrinx  of  certain  auks 
(cf.  p.  363).  In  P.  varius  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached 
to  the  second  bronchial  semi-ring,  as  also  in  P.  brasiUetislx. 

The  syrinx  of  Plotus  does  not  differ  greatly,  but  it  has  an 
incomplete  bronchidesmus.  There  are  two  bronchial  semi- 
rings, which  are  specially  increased  in  length  and  depth  ; 
they  are  the  second  and  third,  and  are  relatively  stouter  than 
those  of  Phalacrocorax  ;  to  the  first  of  them  the  intrinsic 
muscles  are  attached. 

The  syrinx  of  Sula  is  a  good  deal  different  from  that  of 
other  steganopods. 

There  is  no  ossification,  except  in  the  pessulus.  A  square 
projection  is  formed  by  a  fusion  between  last  tracheal  rings  ; 
this  is  continuous  with  the  pessulus  and  is  well  shown  in 
GAEHOD'S  figure.1  The  bronchial  semi-rings  are  at  first 
feeble  with  wide  interval.  Between  the  third  and  fourth  of 
them  there  is,  covering  the  insertion  of  the  intrinsic  muscle, 
a  protuberant  pad  of  elastic  tissue  about  the  size  and  shape 
of  a  pea, 

1   P.  Z.  S.  1870,  pi.  xxxviii.  fig.  4. 


STEGANOPODES  409 

In  Phaeton  flavirostris  the  syrinx  is  typically  tracheo- 
bronchial  and  not  flattened,  as  in  Fregata. 

The  skull  of.  the  Steganopodes !  is  desmognathous.  It  is 
most  extremely  so  in  Pelecanus,  in  correlation,  perhaps,  with 
the  long  broad  beak.  Pelecanus,  in  fact,  may  be  described 
as  doubly  desmognathous,  for  the  palatines  are  not  merely 
united  but  ankylosed  behind  the  posterior  nares,  which  are 
of  limited  extent.  They  form  but  one  bone  with  a  deep 
ventral  median  crest,  and  on  the  opposite  side  an  equally 
pronounced  dorsal  crest,  occupying  a  space  left  by  the  here 
deficient  interorbital  septum.  Fregata  is  nearly  at  the 
other  extreme,  for  the  maxillo-pala tines  are  largely  free  from 
each  other  in  the  middle  line,  and  the  palatines  are  only 
united  for  a  short  distance  posteriorly.  Phaeton  '2  is  most 
like  Fregata,  but  here  there  is  no  fusion  between  the 
palatines.  The  strong  inferior  crest  of  Pelecanus  is  repre- 
sented by  two  feeble  ridges  of  limited  extent.  Phalacrocorax 
is  intermediate.  The  maxillo-palatines  are  completely  united. 
The  palatines  are  fused  for  the  greater  part  of  their  length 
posteriorly ;  they  are,  however,  quite  flat  above  and  have  below 
but  a  faint  trace  of  the  median  crest.  The  interpalatine 
space  anteriorly  is  much  more  capacious  than  in  Pelecanus. 
Plotus  agrees  with  Plialacrocorax. 

The  Steganopodes  are  generally  (HUXLEY,  FURBKINGEE, 
GADOW)  said  to  have  no  basipterygoid  processes.  In 
Pelecanus  rufescens,  however,  I  find  a  pair  of  thorn-like 
outgrowths  in  the  right  position  (cf.  Platalea,  p.  439),  which 
I  take  to  be  the  rudiments  of  these  structures. 

The  bony  nostrils  are  holorhinal,  pervious  only  in  Phaeton, 
m  others  much  obliterated  by  bony  growths,  as  in  Herodiones  ; 
in  Plotus,  indeed,  reduced  to  the  merest  chinks.  As  in  some 
Herodiones  and  Tubinares  they  are  continued  forward  by  a 
marked  groove  which  runs  to,  or  near  to,  the  very  end  of 
the  bill,  absent  only  in  Phaeton.  In  Fregata  there  is  no 

1  All  the  types  are  described  and  figured  by  BRANDT,  '  Zur  Osteologie  di-r 
Vogel,'  Mem.  Ak.  St.  Petersb.  1840  (6),  Hi.  p.  81.  See  also  for  osteology  of 
Plotus  and  Phaeton  MILNE-EDWARDS  in  Hist.  Nat.  Madagascar. 

-  BEDDARD,  '  Notes  upon  the  Anatomy  of  Phaeton,'  P.  Z.  S.  1897,  p.  288. 


410         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

hinge  line  separating  the 
cranium  from  the  face. 
This  is  present  in  Pele- 
canus  and  Phaeton,  while 
in  Phalacrocorax  and 
Plotus  the  existence  of 
fibro-cartilage  allows  of  a 
free  motion. 

The  lacrymal  in  Frr- 
gata  and  Pelecanus  is  large, 
with  a  large  descending- 
process,  which  in  both 
reaches  the  jugal  bar ;  in 
addition  Fregata  has  an 
uncinate  bone,  which 
reaches  the  palatine.  Of 
this  there  is  apparently  a 
rudiment  in  Phaeton. 

In  Phalacrocorax  the 
descending  process  of  the 
lacrymal  completely  blends 
with  the  ectethmoid  to 
form  a  ring  of  bone,  as  in 
the  Limicolse.  In  Plotu* 
the  same  thing  occurs,  but 
the  lacrymal  is  much 
smaller.  The  interorbital 
septum  as  an  ossified 
structure  is  almost  com- 
plete in  Pelecanus  and 
Fregata,  largely  deficient 
in  Phaeton,  almost  absent 
in  Phalacrocorax  and 
J'lotitx.  Iii  Phalacrocorax 
c<irl)o  there  is  a  small 
bonelet  resting  upon  the 
jugal  bar  in  front  of  the 

FIG.  191.- SKULL  OF  Fregata.     VENTRAL     lacrymal  ;  i       this      is      also 
ASPECT.     (AFTER  BEDDARD.) 

Vo,  voiner  :  M.I-/J,  maxillo-palatines  :  A',  upwardly      '  Ossicilltliii  Sllprajurjalc  of  BRANDT. 
directed  part  of  maxillo-palatines. 


STEGANOPO1>ES 


411 


well  developed  in  Plot  its.  There  are  traces  of  it  in  Frc</«t«. 
Another  peculiarity  shared  by  Plialacrocorax  and  Plotits  is 
a  style-like  bone  l  attached  to  the  occipital,  to  which  the 
temporal  muscles  are  partly  attached.  The  bone  varies  in 
size,  is  not  ankylosed  to  the  skull,  and  is  probably  to  be 
looked  upon  as  an  ossification  in  the  septum  between  the 
two  muscles.  In  these  birds  also 
the  quadrate  is  peculiar  in  form  in 
that  the  anterior  process  is  short 
and  slender  and  at  right  angles  to 
the  rest  of  the  bone. 

Sula  is  nearest  to  Phalacroeo- 
rax.  It  has  the  same  peculiar 
form  of  the  quadrate  bone,  and 
the  equivalent  of  the  small  bone 
seated  upon  the  jugal  bone  is 
apparently  there,  though  anky- 
losed. The  nostrils  too  are  re- 
duced to  a  mere  pinhole,  as  in 
Plot  it  x.  The  palatines  agree  ab- 
solutely with  those  of  Plialctcro- 
corax  and  Plot  us,  but  the  interor- 
bital  septum  is  not  so  completely 
vacuolate.  It  rises  up,  mure- 
over,  in  front,  as  in  Pelcconnx, 
and  a  faint  crest  from  the  pala- 
tines ascends  into  the  vacuity. 
The  lacrymal  is,  however, 
different  ;  the  orbital  part  is 
-small,  but  the  descending  bar  is  large  and  joins  the  jugal; 
the  ectethmoids  appear  to  be  deficient  as  bony  structures. 

1  J.  A.  JEFFRIES,  '  The  Osteology  of  the  Cormorant,'  Science,  ii.  p.  739,  iii. 
pp.  59,  274  ;  GILL,  '  Osteology  of  the  Cormorant,'  ibid.  iii.  p.  404  :  SHUFELDT, 
'  Remarks  upon  the  Osteology  of  Ph.  bicrisidtii*,'  ib'uL  ii.  p.  640,  and  '  Osteology 
of  the  Cormorant,'  ibid.  iii.  p.  143;  DOLLO,  Bull.  Mus.  Roy.  BcUj.  iii.  18S4,  p. 
130.  This  bone  (xiphoid,  YAKEELL;  nuchal,  MARSH  ;  intranuchal,  DOLLO)  has 
been  wrongly  compared  with  the  post-occipitals  of  dinosaurs.  It  is  merely  a 
sesamoid.  LUCAS,  'Description  of  some  Bones  of  Pallas's  Cormorant  (Ph. 
pers2>icillaiuis),'  1'.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  xii.  1889,  p.  88. 


FIG.    lV-2. — SKULL 
(AFTER.   BEPI>AI:I>! 
AS  IN  FIG.  191. 


OF     Phaeton 
LETTERING 


412         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

The  lacrymal,  as  in  Pelecanus and.  Fregata,  is  deeply  notched 
laterally. 

MIVAET,  from  his  investigations  into  the  axial  skeleton 
of  this  group,1  set  aside  Phaeton  and  Fregata  by  reason  of 
their  possessing  twelve  or  thirteen  cervical  vertebrae  and 
the  doubly  notched  (on  each  side)  sternum  of  Phaeton, 
besides  a  number  of  other  points. 

There  are  seventeen  cervical  vertebra-  in  Pelecanus, 
eighteen  in  Sula,  twenty  in  Phalacrocorax. 

The  atlas  vertebra  is  notched  for  the  reception  of  the 
odontoid  process  in  Pelecanus,  perforated  in  Sula  and  Plotus  ; 
in  Phalacrocorax  the  conditions  are  intermediate,  a  perfora- 
tion being  only  just  closed  above. 

The  Steganopodes  have  catapophyses  upon  some  of  the 
cervical  vertebrae  which  enclose  a  canal  ;  in  Pelecanus  this 
is  found  on  vertebra?  8-15.  In  Sula  the  canal  may  com- 
mence on  the  same  vertebra,  but  more  usually  on  the  ninth, 
extending  to  the  thirteenth.  In  Phalacrocorax  there  are  no 
vertebrae  with  a  complete  haemal  arch  formed  by  union  of 
the  catapophyses.  In  Plot  us  the  canal  begins  on  the  ninth 
vertebra  and  extends  to  the  fourteenth.  In  Phaeton  there  is 
no  canal.  The  dorsal  vertebrae  are  opisthocoelous  in  Phala- 
crocorax and  Plotus,  not  in  Sula  and  Pelecanus. 

In  all  these  genera  the  sternum  is  at  most  only  slightly 
notched  by  one  notch  only  on  each  side.  In  Pelecanus  the 
clavicles  are  ankylosed  to  its  keel.  They  reach  it  in  Plotus, 
Phalacrocorax,  and  Sula,  but  are  only  firmly  connected  by 
ligaments,  not  ankylosed.  In  Phaeton  the  clavicles  are 
attached  to  the  keel  behind  the  extremity. 

Both  spina  externa  and  interna  are  wanting  in  Sula  and 
Pelecanus  ;  the  spina  externa  is  present,  but  small,  in  Phala- 
crocorax ;  contrary  to  the  statement  of  FUEBEINGER  (in 
his  tables)  I  find  a  rudimentary  spina  externa  in  Plot  us 
anhiiiga.  Fregata  and  Phaeton  show  their  divergence  from 
the  normal  steganopod  type  by  a  better  developed  spina 
externa,  while  the  latter  bird  may  possess  a  rudimentary  spina 
interna.  Four  to  six  ribs  reach  the  sternum. 

1  '  On  the  Axial  (Skeleton  of  the  Pelecanidse,'  Tr.  Z.  S.  x.  p.  315. 


STEGANOPODES  41:J 

The  relationship  of  the  clavicles  to  the  scapula  and  to  the 
coracoid,  upon  which  FURBRINGER  has  laid  so  much  stress, 
serves  to  differentiate  some  of  the  Steganopodes.  In  Plot  us 
the  clavicle  is  connected  by  ligament  with  the  scapula ;  this 
connection  is  nearly  effected  in  Plialacrocorax  and  Sida,  but 
not  in  Peli'cdinif;.  In  Frei/iitti  the  dilated  end  of  the  clavicle 
is  perforated  in  the  middle  ;  it  is,  moreover,  fused  with  the 
scapula. 

The  genus  Plotns  (consisting  of  the  four  species  P.  aiihiitt/n, 
P.  melanog  aster,  P.  Novce  Hollandice,  and  P.  Levailltinti)  has  been 
investigated  by  BRANDT/  EYTON,'2D6NiTz,3GABBOD,4  FORBES, 5  FUB- 
BBiNGEB,5  and  myself.  Many  of  its  characters  have  been  described 
in  the  foregoing  pages.  I  shall  bere  direct  attention  to  certain 
peculiarities  of  Plotns  which  it  does  not  share  with  the  other 
Steganopodes,  or  which  it  possesses  in  a  more  marked  degree  than 
its  nearest  ally,  Plialacrocorax.  The  darters  feed  in  a  peculiar 
manner  ;  they  pursue  fishes  under  water  with  a  jerky  action  of  the 
head  and  neck.  This  'action,  as  Mr.  FOBBES  has  suggested,  may 
be  compared  to  that  of  a  man  poising  a  spear  before  hurling  it. 
'  Arrived  within  striking  distance,'  continues  Mr.  FOBBES,  '  the 
darter  suddenly  transfixes — in  fact,  bayonets- — the  fish  on  the  tip  of 
its  beak  with  marvellous  dexterity,  and  then  immediately  comes 
to  the  surface,  where  the  fish  is  shaken  off  the  beak  by  jerking  of 
the  head  and  neck,  thrown  upwards,  and  swallowed,  usually  head 
first.'  This  mechanical  action  is  associated  with  a  mechanism  in 
the  neck. 

The  first  eight  vertebrae  form  a  continuous  curve  forwards,  so 
marked  that  the  head  when  outstretched  is  in  the  same  straight 
line  with  the  eighth  vertebra.  This  latter  vertebra  is  articulated 
at  right  angles  with  the  foregoing,  and  almost  at  right  angles  with 
that  which  follows ;  there  is  thus  formed  a  conspicuous  kink  in 
•the  neck,  which  is  never  unbent. 

1   Loc.  cit.  (on  p.  409.)  -  Osteologia  Arium,  p.  218. 

3  '  Ueber  die  Halswirbelsiiule  cler  Vogel,'  &c.,  ArcJi.  f.  .Inn I.  it.  Plii/s.  1873, 
p.  357. 

1  '  Notes  on  the  Anatomy  of  Plotits  anJiinga,'  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  335,  and 
'  Note  on  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  Levaillant's  Darter  (Plotus  Levaillanti),'  ibid. 
1878,  p.  679. 

5  '  On  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  the   Indian  Darter,'  &c.,  ibid.  1882, 
p.  208. 

6  '  Notes    on    the   Anatomy  and    Osteology  of    the  Indian  Darter   (Plotus 
melanogaster),'  ibid.  1892,  p.  291. 


414         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

On  the  ninth  vertebra  there  is  on  the  dorsal  surface  a  fibrous 
loop  (' Donitz's  bridge'),  which  is  fibrous  only  in  P.  anliinga. 
ossified  in  the  three  other  species.  Through  this  loop  passes  the 
tendon  of  the  longus  colli  posterior  muscle  to  be  inserted  on  to 
vertebrae  2,  3,  4.  The  longus  colli  anterior  is  a  very  powerful 
muscle,  which  ends  in  a  long  tendon  attached  anteriorly  to  the 


FIG.  193. — STOMACH  OF  LEVAILLANT'S  DARTEFX  (AFTER  GARROD). 

haemapophysis  of  cervical  vertebras  8-10.  A  separate  portion  of 
the  muscle  is  similarly  attached  to  the  eleventh. 

The  pulling  back  of  the  head  preparatory  to  striking  is  effected 
by  the  longus  colli  posterior,  while  the  bayonetting  movement 
is  produced  by  the  longus  colli  anterior. 

The  second  characteristic  feature  in  the  organisation  of  Plotus 
concerns  the  stomach.  Though  originally  described  by  MACGILLI- 


STEGANOPODES 


415 


VRAY  in  AUDUBON'S  ornithological  miscellany,  it  has  been  more  fully 
described  and  illustrated  by  GAREOD  and  FORBES.  One  great 
peculiarity  is  that  in  P.  anliinga  the  proventricular  glands,  instead 
of  forming  a  patch,  or  patches,  upon  the  inner  surface  of  the 
proventriculus,  constitute  a  special  csecal  diverticulum  of  the 
stomach,  which  is  completely  lined  by  the  glands  in  question. 
The  pyloric  portion  of  the  stomach  forms  a  well-marked  compart- 
ment, quite  distinct  from  the  gizzard  region  ;  the  opening  of  the 
pylorus  into  the  duodenum  is  protected  by  a  dense  mat  of  hair- 
like  processes,  each  of  which  is  about  half  an  inch  in  length. 
Microscopically  these  structures  '  are  much  more  like  true  hairs  ' 
than  like  any  filiform  papillae  which  might  occur  in  such  places. 
In  P.  Lcraillanti  there  is  no  special  compartment  for  the  pyloric 
proventricular  glands.  The  hairs  lining  the  pyloric  chamber  have 
a  more  complex  arrangement  than  in  P.  anhinya.  There  is 
(fig.  193)  a  dense  mass  of  them  lining  the  distal  end  of  the  pouch, 
but  there  is  also  a  singular  conical  process  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane, covered  with  more  hairs  and  serving  to  close  the  pylorus. 
/•  nii'/iinogaster  agrees  with  the  last  species,  but  the  plug  is  less 
developed,  being  rather  a  well-defined  ridge  than  a  retractile  plug. 
Mr.  FORBES  thinks  that  this  hairy  plug  of  the  darters  is  an 
exaggeration  of  the  nipple-like  valve  which  is  found  to  guard  the 
pylorus  in  many  birds.  The  two  Old-World  species  thus  come 
nearer  together,  as  they  do  in  the  ossification  of  Donitz's  bridge, 
than  does  either  to  the  New- World  P.  anhinga. 

In  order  to  facilitate  a  comparison  of  the  several  genera 
of  Steganopodes  among  themselves,  the  annexed  table,  indi- 
cating the  differences  in  some  of  the  muscles,  viscera,  and 
bones,  may  be  of  use  :— 


r. 

« 

j3 

•n 

» 

|    1 

1 

» 

1 

CU 

.0 

1  i 

£ 

3 

•   -/. 

_r   i 



_ 

'/_ 

'-3 
o 

i-3 

^  ~ 

^ 

a 

'S  '-5 

(^ 

o 

"o 

CO 

* 

3 

3 

1 

l'= 

s 

t> 

^  z. 

"T 

Fregata 

A  + 

II 

0 

2 

R2>L 

+ 

15 

Single 

Free 

1  viei-nnus 

AX- 

.(- 

0 

1 

R2>L 

0 

17 

Rud. 

Pun  -i  1 

I'l  ton 

A  x  y  - 

n 

+ 

2 

R>L 

+ 

15 

Double 

Free 

liostcriorly 

Phalacroconx 

AX  + 

R. 

+ 

0 

R  2  >  L 

+ 

20 

n  •'. 

Absent 

Plotus 

AX  + 

0 

+ 

1 

R2>L 

-f 

20 

0  ? 

A  b>elll 

Sula      . 

AX  + 

+ 

+  oro 

l!or  1 

R>L 

18 

0  ? 

Absent 

The  Steganopodes,  though  allowed  by  all  to  be  a  natural 


416         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

group,  show,  as  is  indicated  in  the  above  table,  a  considerable 
amount  of  variation  among  themselves.  And,  what  is  even 
more  striking,  the  genera  vary  more  than  genera  as  a  rule  do 
-for  example,  the  stomach  of  the  darters,  the  biceps  and 
carotid  of  Sida,  and  the  muscle  formula  of  the  leg  of  Phala- 
crocorax.  The  accompanying  table  gives  some  of  the  chief 
characters  of  the  several  genera.  It  is  interesting  to  observe 
from  this  table  that  there  is  to  some  extent  a  linear 
series  to  be  deduced  from  the  facts  of  structure.  If  we 
commence  with  Phalacrocorax,  we  may  associate  with  it 
certainly  Plotus  and  also  Sula.  In  these  genera  the  peculiar 
flat  and  largely  fused  palatines  are  associated  with  the 
muscle  formula  AX  + .  Sula  offers  a  slight  step  in  the 
direction  of  Pelecanus.  There  is  a  trace  of  the  dorsal  ridge 
of  the  palatine,  and  of  the  anterior  vacuity  in  the  interorbital 
septum  for  the  reception  of  this  edge.  In  Pelecanus  these 
characters  are  fully  realised,  and  at  the  same  time  the 
ambieiis  has  vanished.  Fregata,  which  stands  apart  in  the 
structure  of  its  skull,  is  also  unique  in  the  group  by  reason 
of  its  muscle  formula,  which  is  only  A  + .  But  this  genus 
and  Pelecanus  have  lost  the  biceps  slip,  present  in  those 
referred  to  before,  but  commencing  to  disappear  in  Sula. 

The  question  is,  In  what  direction  has  the  modification 
gone  ?  Are  we  to  start  with  Phalacrocorax  or  with  Pelecanus, 
or  with  some  other  genus  '? 

The  answer  to  this  question  naturally  depends  upon  the 
relationship  of  the  Stegunopodes  to  other  groups.  The  group 
to  which  they  are  most  nearly  allied  appears  to  me  (as  to 
FORBES  and  others)  to  be  the  Tubinares.  In  estimating  this 
affinity  FORBES  did  not,  in  my  opinion,  lay  sufficient  stress 
upon  the  '  os  uncinatum.'  It  is  true  that — as  he  states- 
this  bone  appears  also  to  be  present  in  Cluuiga  and  in  the 
touracos,  not  to  mention  other  birds  ;  but  in  Chunga  it  is  a 
continuation  of  the  descending  process  of  the  lacrymal,  and 
articulates  with  the  jugal  bar,  while  in  Corythaix  it  articu- 
lates both  with  ectethmoid  and  lacrymal,  though  it  ends,  as 
in  the  birds  under  consideration,  on  the  palatine.  In  both 
Fregata  and  Diomedea  this  bone  connects  the  lacrymal  with 


STEGANOPODES  417 

the  palatine,  the  lacrymal  itself  reaching  (or  nearly  so)  the 
jngal  bar.  The  palate  of  Diomedca  is  remarkably  like  that  of 
Fregata,  which,  unlike  other  Steganopodes  (except  Phaeton), 
is  not  far  from  being  schizognathous,  and  represents,  I  am 
disposed  to  think,  the  nearest  intermediate  form.  The 
grooves,  starting  from  the  nostrils  and  running  towards  the 
end  of  the  beak,  are  also  found  in  the  Tubinares  (and  in  the 
Herodiones,  with  which  latter  group  the  Steganopodes  share 
the  very  much  reduced,  and  yet  holorhiiial,  nostrils) .  Another 
fact  which  is  perhaps  of  importance  is  the  much-reduced 
gizzard  and  the  correspondingly  enlarged  proventriculus. 
Less  important  likenesses  are  the  double  pectoral,  the  short 
colic  ca&ca,  which  are  occasionally  reduced  to  one  in  the 
Steganopodes  ;  these  points  ally  the  group  to  the  Herodiones 
as  well  as  to  the  Tubinares.  The  very  names  Fregata  and 
Fregetta,  Pelecanus  and  Pelecanoides  are  an  expression  of 
these  views. 

FUKBBINGEB,  however,  and  GADOW  place  Phaeton  near- 
est to  the  base  of  the  steganopod  series,  and  there  is  much 
to  be  said  for  this  way  of  looking  at  the  group.  There  is  no 
doubt  that  Phaeton  is  very  different  from  the  other  genera 
of  the  group  ;  indeed,  if  it  were  not  for  Fregata  it  would  be 
difficult  to  avoid  removing  it  altogether.  It  is  really  not 
desmognathous  (in  the  sense  of  HUXLEY)  ;  for  the  maxillo- 
palatines  do  not  fuse ;  in  front  of  them  there  is  a  bony  plat- 
form, forming  the  hard  palate,  but  this  is  produced  from 
anterior  ingrowths  of  the  maxillae,  not  homologous  with  the 
maxillo-palatines,  which  are  present  and  unfused.  The 
vomer,  moreover,  is  well  developed  and  bifid  posteriorly, 
being  exceedingly  like  the  bifid  vomer  of  such  schizognathous 
birds  as  the  grebe,  ^chmophorus.  In  Fregata  we  have  a 
further  step.  The  vomer  has  coalesced  into  a  single  rod  ; 
the  palatines  have  united  posteriorly  ;  the  os  uncinatum, 
rudimentary  in  Phaeton,  has  increased  (?),  and  the  grooves 
running  from  the  nostrils  to  the  end  of  the  beak  have  put  in 
an  appearance  ;  furthermore  the  nostrils,  pervious  in  Phae- 
ton, have  acquired  the  steganopodous  imperviousness.  The 
maxillo-palatines,  however,  are  not  united  ;  but  beneath  them 

E  E 


418         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

is  a  slanting  wall  of  bone  (cf.  fig.  191  X),  present  in  all  the 
other  Steganopodes,  co-existing  with  and  lying  below  the 
maxillo-palatines,  and  therefore  not  comparable  to  them. 
True  maxillo-palatines,  indeed,  seem  to  be  only  present  in 
Pelecanus  of  the  remaining  genera  of  the  family,  where  they 
are  small  and  coalesced.  The  other  genera  have  only  the  up- 
wardly sloping  bone  of  Fregata.  The  vomer  too  appears  to 
be  at  the  most  very  small  in  the  higher  steganopods,  and 
I  have  not  been  able  to  find  it. 

All  these  facts  point  to  the  basal  position  of  Phaeton. 
It  has,  however,  in  the  loss  of  the  ambiens  departed  from 
the  primitive  condition.  We  can  derive  Fregata  from 
Phaeton  ;  but  in  this  case  the  mutual  relations  of  the 
Steganopodes  and  the  Tubinares,  and  perhaps  the  Colymbi, 
become  somewhat  obscured. 

As  perhaps  an  appendix  to  the  present  group  we  may 
consider  Odontopterijx  toliaplciis  of  the  London  clay,  known  l 
by  a  portion  of  a  skull. 

FUEBRINGEE  discusses  this  bird  very  slightly  under  the 
Tubinares  and  Anseres  ;  both  GADOW  and  LYDEKKER  place  it 
near  the  Steganopodes,  with  which  determination  I  associate 
myself.  The  most  marked  peculiarity  of  this  bird,  which 
has  given  to  it  its  name,  is  the  serration  into  longer  and 
shorter  teeth  of  the  upper  and  lower  jaw.  The  two  jaws  are 
grooved,  which  seems  to  indicate  that  the  beak  was,  as  in 
the  Steganopodes  (and  other  birds  for  that  matter),  divided 
into  several  pieces.  On  the  right-hand  side  of  the  skull  is  a 
small  notch,  which  has  been  identified  with  the  bony  nostril 
of  that  side.  It  has,  however,  in  the  drawings  an  accidental 
look,  and  the  fact  of  the  possible  obliteration  of  the  nostrils 
must  be  weighed  in  discussing  the  steganopodous  affinities 
of  the  Odontopterijx  ;  for  in  many  of  those  birds,  especially 
in  Sula  and  Plotus,  the  nostrils  have  been  practically  oblite- 
rated. It  does  not  seem  to  me  that  the  depressed  form  of  the 
skull,  or,  so  far  as  we  can  judge  them,  the  shape  of  the 
lacrymals,  is  strong  evidence  in  favour  of  the  steganopodous 

1  OWEN,  '  Description  of  the   Skull  of  a  Dentigerous  Bird,'  Ac.,  Q.  J.  GcoL 
Soc.  1873,  p.  511. 


STEGANOPODES  419 

relationships  of  this  remarkable  fossil ;  but  the  facts  are  at 
any  rate  not  opposed  to  that  placing. 

Of  birds  more  definitely  referred  to  the  Steganopodes  a  large 
number  have  been  described  from  Tertiary  strata.  If  MARSH'S 
(rnic/i/nrna,  from  the  Cretaceous,  really  belongs  here,  the  group  is 
as  old  as  any  existing  group,  and  older  than  most.  A  rijillornis 
(=  Lithornis)  of  OWEN  is  among  the  most  interesting,  inasmuch 
as  it  is  known  from  fuller  remains  than  others.  The  skull  and 
some  long  bones  have  been  found  in  the  London  clay.  It  is 
referred  to  the  neighbourhood  of  the  present  group  by  LYDEKKER, 
but  by  FURBRINGER  to  the  Ichthyornithes. 

Actiornis,  Pelargornis  are  placed  here  by  LYDEKKER,  and  FUR- 
BRINGER  would  include  Remiornis  (considered  struthious  by 
GADOW)  and  Chenornis,  referred  by  others  to  the  Anseres. 

HERODIONES 

Definition. — Oil  gland  fsathered.1  Aftershaft  pressnt.2  Aquincubital. 
Skull  desmognathous,  holorhinal,  -without  basipterygoid  pro- 
cesses. Catapophysial  canal  nearly  always  present.  Two 
carotids.  Caeca  present,  but  nearly  always  rudimentary.  Ex- 
pans  Dr  secundariorum  present. 

This  group  of  birds  is  an  extensive  one,  with  a  con- 
siderable range  of  structural  variation.  That  the  flamingoes 
form  a  group  apart  can  hardly  be  doubted,  though  it  is  not 
easy  to  differentiate  them  by  any  very  important  characters 
from  other  Herodiones.  Less  easy  is  it  to  distinguish  the 
herons  from  the  storks.  The  extreme  types,  e.g.  Ciconia 
and  Cancroma,  can  be  readily  distinguished  by  the  muscle 
formula  and  by  the  characters  of  the  syrinx,  not  to  mention 
some  other  points  of  minor  importance  ;  but  between  the 
extremes  are  forms  like  AMimia,  Scopus,  and  Baltniiceps, 
which  forbid  so  sharp  a  line  of  division.  As  to  Phceni- 
copterus,  WELDON  was  the  first 3  to  show  in  a  convincing 
way  its  likenesses  to  the  stork,  its  previous  association  with 
the  duck  tribe  having  been  in  large  part  due  to  the  lamellated 
bill  and  the  webbed  feet.  As  to  the  latter  character,  no  one 

1  Except  in  Cancroma.  2  ?  except  in  Lcpt/i/iti/i/s  ar/jala. 

3  'On  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  Phtmiaiptfrus,''  iV:c.,  P.  Z.  ,S'.  1883, 
p.  038. 

K  K  2 


420 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


would  nowadays  associate  the  gulls  with  the  ducks  for  a  similar 
reason,  though  it  was,  of  course,  done  by  the  earlier  ornitho- 
logists. The  duck-like  bill  of  the  flamingo  is  not  so  exclusively 
anatiform  as  might  be  thought ;  for  a  very  decided  stork, 
Anastomus,  has  a  bill  which  has  very  much  the  same 
structure  as  regards  the  lamellae  (hence,  indeed,  its  specific 
name — lamelligerus). 

The  typical  storks  may  be  distinguished  from  the  typical 
herons  by  the  following  table  :— 


— 

Ciconiidfe 

Ardeidae 

Syrinx                   .         .      Without  intr.  muscles. 

With     intr.      muscles. 

Tracheal 

Tracheo-bronchial 

C(Pca    ....                   2,  small 

1,  small 

Powder-doicns      .          .                          0 

+ 

Pteri/ltf 

Wide 

Narrow 

Pectoralis  I. 

In  two  layers 

Single 

Cucullaris     dorsocnta-                         0 

+ 

neus 

Pectoralis  abd.     .         .                         0 

+ 

Vinculum  of  deep  flexor                   Strong 

Weak  or  absent 

tendons     . 

Ambiens 

+  or  0                                       0 

Carotids 

2,  separate                              2,  fused 

The  set  of  differences  may  be  certainly  regarded  as  of 
family  value.  But  it  must  always  be  remembered  that  there 
are  tendencies  to  the  heron-like  organisation  among  true 
storks  ;  while  Scopus,  and  possibly  Balceniceps,  are  distinctly 
intermediate. 

Family  Scopidae. — There  is  one  genus  only,  containing  but 
a  single  species,  Scopus  umbretta — African  and  from  Mada- 
gascar. The  anatomy  of  this  stork-like  heron  has  been  prin- 
cipally investigated,  as  regards  the  '  soft  parts,'  by  myself.1 

It  differs  from  the  true  herons  by  the  absence  of  powder- 
down  patches,  in  having  ten  primaries  instead  of  eleven,  and 
in  possessing  sixteen  cervical  vertebra.  On  the  other  hand 
it  differs  from  the  storks  in  having  an  ardeiform — or  at 
least  a  '  typical '  —syrinx,  and  (from  the  Plataleida?)  in  the 

1  'A  Contribution  to  the  Anatomy  of  Scopus  umbretta,''  P.  Z.  S.  1884, 
p.  543. 


HERODIONES 


absence  of  a   biceps  slip   to  the  patagmm.     Its  leg  muscle 
formula   too    is  that   of  a    heron.       Besides    these    facts— 


Fl.h 


II 

FKI.     1 '.14.  -SYRINX    OF    Scopus    (AFTLR      FIG.  195. — DEEP  PLANTAR  TENDONS 
BEDDARD).      a.  FRONT  VIEW.     b.  SIDE  OF  Scopus  (AFTER  BEDDARD). 

Ih^  '  /•'/.'/,  tlrxor  hallucis  :  Fl.p,  flexor  proi'uinliis. 

which  incline  to  both  the  stork  and  the  heron  side,  and 
which,  perhaps,  are  the  most  important  of  such  facts — it 
may  be  mentioned  that  Scopus  shows  a  stork-like  character 
in  the  partial  division  of  the pectoralis primus, 
a  fact  which  was  first  pointed  oiit  by  FORBES 
incidentally,  in  his  report  upon  the  petrels 
collected  during  the  voyage  of  the  '  Chal- 
lenger '  The  patag/«l  muscles  and  tendons 
are  not  specially  distinctive  of  the  affinities 
of  the  bird.  In  my  dissection  of  Scopus  I 
could  not  find  the  expansor  sec  mid  a  riorum  ; 
but  as  this  muscle  is  found  in  most  of  the 
Herodiones  its  absence  is  not  in  any  way  sig-  1/I(, 

llificailt,       though      it     should       doubtless       be       Pi. ANTAK.  TENDONS 

verified.     The  CUICOHCCKS  has  a  tendinous  slip     BEDDED)*. 
to  the  humerus.     The  deep  plantar  tendonx 
appear  to  vary  somewhat ;  in  two  specimens  dissected  by 
myself  I  met  with  the  two  conditions  illustrated  in  the  two 


422         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


figures  annexed.  In  the  one  the  flexor  hallucis  was  united 
to  the  flexor  communis  by  two  distinct  vincula,  one  before 
the  tri  furcation  of  the  latter  tendon,  the  other  attached  to 
the  tendon  supplying  digit  II.  In  a  specimen  of  Ciconia 
nigra  dissected  by  FORBES  there  was  an  identical  arrange- 
ment. In  the  other  Scopus  (see  fig.  195)  only  the  last  of 
the  two  vincula  was  present,  i.e.  that  passing  to  tendon  of 
digit  II. 

For  the  skeleton  of  Scopus  see  MILNE-EDWARDS'S  account.1 

The  skull  is  on  the  whole  more 
stork-like  than  heron-like,  but  it  does 
not  show  any  of  the  extreme  modifi- 
cations of  the  stork  type.  The  bony 
interorbital  septum,  as  in  the  storks,  is 
not  largely  fenestrate.  The  inner 
lamina  of  the  palatines  does  not  reach 
the  posterior  boundary  of  those  bones. 
In  front,  at  about  the  middle  of  the 
interpalatine  vacuity,  the  palatines  are 
produced  into  a  short  lateral  process  ; 
this  is  well  marked  in  many  storks, 
but  also  in  Can.cro/iia,  to  the  skull  of 
which  heron  that  of  Scopus  shows 
OF  another  point  of  likeness  ;  in  both 
these  birds  a  deepish  groove  runs  from 
the  end  of  the  nostril  to  the  end  of  the 
bill.  This  groove  is  also  found,  though  it  is  not  so  con- 
spicuous, in  Ardea  and  Butorides,  and  (among  storks  only) 
in  Platalea  ;  it  is  suggestive  of  a  recently  closed,  more 
elongated  nostril,  like  that  of  the  cranes.  The  proeoraco'xl 
is  more  rudimentary  than  in  storks,  but  the  coracoids  overlap 
at  insertion. 

Family  Ciconiidae. — I  include  in  this  family  not  only  the 
true  storks  but  also  the  wood  ibises  (Tatitalttx).     GARROP- 

'   Histoirc  Na/iircllc,  itV.,  <lc  Madagascar,  '  Oiseanx,'  p.  514. 
-  V.    E.  BKW>AHI>,    '  Notes  on  the  Convoluted  Trachea  of  a  Curassow  (ATo- 
itrnmntum),  ancTon  the  Syrinx  in  certain  Storks,'  P.  Z.  S.  1886,  p.  321. 


FIG.       197. — SYUIXX 
Leptoptilus  (AFTEI; 

WELDOX). 


IlKUOIMONES 


contrasted  Ibis  and  Platalea  on  the  one  hand  with  Ciconia 
and  Tantalus  011  the  other,  on  account  of  the  following 
differences  :  — 


Ibis  and  Platalea 

Skull  schizorhinal,  angle  of  man- 
dible produced. 

Pectoralis  major  single. 

Accessory  femorocaudal  present. 

Semitendinosus  muscular  through- 
out. 

Biceps  slip  present. 


Ciconia  am!  Tantnliin 

Skull  holorhinal,  angle  of  mandible 
truncated. 

Vectoralis  double. 

Accessory  femorocaudal  absent. 

Semitendinosus  tendinous  for 
distal  half. 

Biceps  slip  absent. 


To    which    I   add   the  form  of    the  syrinx.     These   collec- 
tively appear  to  me    to   justify   this  separation.     The  true 


FIG.  198. —  SYRINX  OF 

(AFTER  BEDDABD). 


FIG.   199. — SYRINX   or  Abdimiti  x 
rJiyncha  (AFTER.  BEDDAED). 


storks,  including  Tantalus,  are  well  characterised  by  the 
peculiar  structure  of  the  trachea  and  syrinx,  there  being,  as 
already  mentioned,  an  approach  in  these  birds  to  the  purely 
tracheal  syrinx  of  the  tracheophone  Passeres.  In  the 
common  black  stork,  C.  iti(/r«,t\\e  syrinx  has  the  form  illus- 
trated in  the  figure  (fig.  197).  Its  principal  features  are  the 
absence  of  intrinsic  muscles,  the  modification  of  the  last 
tracheal  rings,  the  existence  of  a  rudimentary  vocal  process 
(see  p.  69),  and  the  closed  character  of  the  bronchial  rings, 
which  are  rings,  not  semi-rings,  the  membrana  tympani- 


124 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


formis  being  absent.  In  Xenorhynchus  senegalensis,1  how- 
ever (fig.  '200),  there  is  some  approach  to  the  more  typical 
tracheo-bronchial  syrinx,  which  is  further  developed  in 
Abdimia  sphenorhyncha  and  Dixsii-ra  episcopus ; l  the 
syringes  of  these  two  storks  are  illustrated  herewith  (figs.  199, 


FIG.  200. — SYRINX  OF  Xenorhynchus  scncyalensis  (AFTER  BEDDAED). 

198).  In  the  former  as  well  as  in  the  latter  the  intrinsic 
muscles  are  still  absent,  and  there  is  a  considerable  modifi- 
cation of  the  last  tracheal  rings ;  but  in  both  there  is  a 
partial  deficiency  of  cartilage  where  the  membrana  tympani- 
formis  is  developed  in  other  birds.  In  Xenorhynchus  this 

1  F.  E.  BEDDARP,  '  A  Note  upon  Dissura  episcopus,''  &c.,  P.  Z.  S.  1896,  p.  231. 


HEHODIOXES  \-2--> 

is  but  slight  ;  in  Abdimia  and  Dissnra  episcopus  it  is  well 
shown.  But  the  latter  bird  has  the  complete  bronchidesmus 
which  marks  the  ciconiine  as  contrasted  with  the  ardeine 
syrinx  (cf.  figs.  194  and  198).  In  Myctcria  americana  the 
bronchial  rings  are  complete,  but  thinner  internally,  which 
is  a  hint  of  the  otherwise  absent  membrana  tympaniformis. 
The  genus  Tantalus  is  unique  among  the  Ciconiidse  in 
having  a  convoluted  trachea.  This,  however,  is  now  known 
to  occur  only  in  the  male  of  T.  ibis  ;  in  both  sexes  of  I\ 
loculator  the  trachea  is  uncoil voluted.1  In  the  former  bird 
the  tube  makes  several  intrathoracic  loops,  as  shown  in  the 
figure  (fig.  '201).  The  syrinx  is  essentially  stork-like. 

In  most  storks  the  muscle  formula  of  the  leg  is  AXY  +  ;  ~ 
the  only  exceptions  to  this  yet  known  are  Xenorhynchus 
senegalensis,  Dissura  episcopus,  &nd'Abdi>nia  sphenorhyncha, 
where  the  ambiens  is  absent,  and  Leptoptilux  crio/in/i- 
fenis  and  argala,  where  there  is  no  femorocaudal.  The 
tendency  to  an  ardeine  structure  in  the  syrinx  of  these 
birds  has  already  been  remarked  upon,  and  may  possibly  be 
correlated  with  the  absence  of  the  ambiens.  Storks  have 
no  biceps  slip,  but  a  typical  expansor  secundariorum.  The 
humeral  head  of  the  anconaeus  is  generally  present.  The 
patagial  tendons  are  usually  of  a  somewhat  complicated 
form. 

The  tensor  patuc/ii  brecis  is  constituted  upon  a  similar 
plan  in  all  storks,  though  there  are  naturally  some  little 
differences  in  detail. 

In  Lcptoptilus,  according  to  WELDON,3  there  is  but  one 
tendon  which,  widening  out  just  before  its  insertion  on  to 
the  fore  arm,  gives  off  a  recurrent  slip  to  the  tendon  of  the 
long  us. 

In  Ciconia  niyra,  according  to  FURBRINGER,  the  tendons 


1  '  On  the  Trachea  of  Tttiitalii*:  Ac.,  I'.  Z.  S.  1878,  p.  Ccjr,  ;   •  On  the  Form 
of  the  Trachea  in  certain  Species  of  Storks  and  Spoonbills,'  ibid.  1S7">,  p.  297. 

2  A.   H.  GARROD,  'Note  on   an  Anatomical  Peculiarity  in   certain  Storks,' 
ibid.  1877,  p.  711.     In  a  specimen  of  Xenorhynchus  australis  a  few  fibres  corre- 
sponding to  the  accessory  femorocaudal  were  found. 

3  Loc.  cit.  (on  p.  419). 


426         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


FKI.  '201. —  CONVOLUTED  WixnrirK  OF   Taittdl/ix  ibis  (AFTER  GARROD). 

r.  L'oiacX'iil  :  /,  furcula  ;  .</,  sternum  ;  r.b,  l.b,  bronchi. 


HERODIONES  -\'27 

are  a  little  more  complicated.  The  tendon  of  the  brevis  is 
obscurely  divided  into  two  from  nearly  its  commencement  ; 
the  more  anterior  of  these  again  divides  into  two,  one  of  which 
runs  forward  to  be  inserted  on  to  the  fore  arm  separately 
from  the  hinder  part,  which  remains  continuous  with  the  rest 
of  the  tendon  ;  there  is  a  recurrent  slip  to  longus. 

In  Abdiuiia  the  tendons  are  much  the  same  ;  in  both 
these  genera  the  propatagialis  pectoralis  of  FURBRINGER  is 
muscular. 

In  Tantalus  leucoceplntlus  the  broad  fascia-like  tendon  of 
the  brevis  gives  off  a  wristward  slip,  from  the  junction  of 
which  with  tendon  of  extensor  inatacarpi  radialis  a  patagial 
fan  arises. 

The  pterylosis  of  the  Ciconiid*  has  been  studied  by 
NITZSCH.  The  neck  is  continuously  feathered  down  to 
about  the  middle,  where  the  spinal  and  ventral  tracts 
respectively  become  divided  into  two.  The  two  spinal 
tracts  are  narrow  but  strongly  feathered,  and  cease  abruptly 
at  about  the  end  of  the  scapula  ;  after  a  short  space  they 
recommence  as  a  bifid  but  feebly  feathered  tract,  the  limbs 
of  which  unite  a  little  way  in  front  of  the  oil  gland.  The 
ventral  tracts  are  broad  upon  the  pectoral  region  but  narrow 
towards  the  vent. 

In  Pseudotantahis  leucoccplialus  NITZSCH  could  not  find 
the  aftershaft,  but  nevertheless  one  appears  to  exist. 

In  Mycteria  and  Leptoptilus  argala  the  dorsal  tract  has 
posteriorly  no  spinal  space. 

In  L.  argala  NITZSCH  states  the  aftershaft  to  be  absent. 

The  oil  gland  has  two  apertures  on  each  side  in  Cicunni 
alba,  five  in  C.  nigra  ;  L.  argala.  has  no  less  than  six. 
Anastomiis  coroinnndeUciLS  has  three  ;  Tantalum  /t'ltcocejjJtal/is 
has  the  same  number. 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  of  the  Ciconiid*  are  constructed 
on  the  plan  of  type  I.  In  Tauta/it*  leucocephalus  there  is  a 
slight  variation  ;  a  small  vinculum  runs  to  flexor  communis 
before  the  latter  divides  into  three,  and  then  a  broader  viiicu- 
lum,  chiefly  going  to  tendon  of  digit  II.,  but  also  slightly 
to  III.  and  IV.,  binds  together  the  two  tendons.  In  C- 


428 


STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


there  is  the  ordinary  vinculum  and  a  special  slip  to 
digit  II. 

The  lungs  in  the  Ciconiidae  are  at  least  often  distinguish- 
able from  those  of  the  Ardeidae  by  the  great  deficiency  of  the 
muscles  arising  from  the  ribs  and  attached  to  the  pulmonary 
aponeurosis.  In  Cancroma  there  were  four  pairs  of  such 
muscles,  arising  from  a  corresponding  number  of  ribs,  in 
Nycticorax  five ;  but  in  Ciconia  alia  I  only  found  one 
pair  inserted  on  to  the  aponeurosis  in  front  of  the  septum 
bounding  the  anterior  intermediate  air  sac  anteriorly.  Pro- 
fessor WELDON  found  no  such  muscles  in  a  considerable 
number  of  storks. 

The  tongue  is  always  small.  The  proventriculus  is 
zonary.  The  liver  is  nearly  equilobed,  and  there  is  always 
a  gall  bladder.  The  intestinal  measurements  of  a  number  of 
species  are  as  follows  :  — 


S.  I.                           L.  I. 

C. 

Ft.    In. 

Inches                    Inches 

Ciconia  nicjra    ....            4-'J 

3 

•5 

„        alba      .         .         .         .  I         3     (5 

2 

•5 

„        may/in  ri        .         .         .                         7-<> 

•2 

„        boi/ciana       ...            57 

•3 

/>i**/ini  cpiscopun       ...             33 

2-5 

•3 

Abdimia  sphenorhynchus  .         .           2     (5 

3-5 

•15 

Mycteria  americana  .         .         .            (14 

4 

•25 

Xenorhynchus  austral  in     .         .           -~> 

3-5 

•25 

,,             senegalensis         .           5*5                      5 

•4 

Lcptoptilns  crumenifems  .         .                        8-5 

•25 

,,           arcjala      .         .         .                         6'5 

•25 

Tiintalus  ibis     ....                           5 

,,          loctilcitor     .         .         .            G'G                       2 

•5 

The  number  of  cervical  vertebra?  is  seventeen  (Lcpto- 
•ptilus,  Tanliilux)  or  eighteen  (Xenorhynchus)  ;  the  hypapo- 
physes  are  feeble ;  there  is  a  ventral  canal  formed  by 
union  of  catapophyses  of  C7-C11  (Xenorhynchus),  C7-C12 
(Tantalus}.  Four  ribs  reach  the  sternum  in  Xenorhynchus, 
five  in  the  others.  The  sternum  has  one  pair  of  notches,  and 
the  spina  externa  is  absent  or  small.  The  procoracoid  is  of 
fair  size,  but  does  not  reach  the  clavicle ;  the  coracoids  meet 


I1EROD10NES  429 

at  their  sternal  insertion  in  Leptoptilits.1  The  hypoclei- 
diuni  articulates  with  carina  sterni.  The  skull  is  desmogna- 
thous,  holorhinal,  and  without  basipterygoid  processes  ;  there 
are  in  Tantnhi^  rudiments  of  these  processes  in  the  shape  of 
a  minute  spine.  The  holorhinal  character  of  the  nostrils  is 
largely  marked  by  ossifications  of  the  alinasals  ;  the  nostrils 
are  thus  much  reduced  in  size,  in  a  fashion  suggestive  of  the 
Steganopodes  and  possibly  significant,  but  there  is  no  bony 
septum  between  them.  This  distinguishes  the  storks  from 
the  herons,  as  does  also  the  form  of  the  palatines.  These 
bones  are  in  the  first  place  not  cut  off  at  right  angles  behind, 
as  in  the  herons,  while  the  internal  lamina  only  bounds  the 
interparietal  space,  and  is  at  most  (Xenorhynchus)  carried 
back  to  the  end  of  the  bones  as  a  slight  median  keel.  This 
is  absent  in  other  storks.  In  Xenorhynchus  and  Lcptoptihi* 
the  palatines  again  approach  each  other,  and  are  only  sepa- 
rated by  the  vomers  just  behind  the  maxillo-palatines.  Oppo- 
site to  this  point  each  palatine  is  produced  into  a  strong 
outwardly  directed  snag,  large  in  Xenorhynchus,  hardly  indi- 
cated in  other  storks.  The  interorbital  septum  is  entire. 
The  large  lacrymal  is  perforated  or  deeply  notched  for  duct 
of  gland. 

Family  Ardeidse. — The  herons  contrast  with  the  storks  in 
(1)  the  tracheo-bronchial  syrinx  always  furnished  with  a 
pair  of  intrinsic  muscles,  (2)  non-division  of  pectoralis  pri»/-ux 
into  two  layers,  (3)  invariable  absence  of  ambiens,  (4)  pre- 
sence of  powder-down  patches,  (5)  absence  or  weakness  of 
vinculum,  ((>)  presence  of  a  single  cascum  only. 

On  the  other  hand  the  two  families  agree  in  (1)  absence 
of  biceps  slip  to  patagium,  (2)  presence  of  expansor  secun- 
dariorum,  in  addition,  of  course,  to  the  points  enumerated  in 
the  definition  of  the  group. 

In  Cancroma  the  oil  gland  is  nude.  The  herons  have 
four  or  six.  powder-down  tracts.  Six  are  found  in  Cancronni, 
Bntorides  atricapillus,  Anlcu  cocoi,  and  other  species; 

1   Not  ill  Xenorliiincltits  and  Dissura  ;  there  is  a  trace    of    an    overlap   in 
Abdimia,  Tantalum,  and  Platalca. 


430         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 

four  in  A  rdetta  and  Botau  nt*.  The  number  of  rectrices  differs 
much  ;  there  are  only  eight  in  Ardetta  exilis  and  A.  involucris, 
ten  in  Botaiirus  (not  invariably),  twelve  in  Ardea  cocoi  and 
( 'tuicroma  cochlearia. 

The  ptenjlosis  differs  from  that  of  the  storks  by  the 
narrowness  of  the  tracts.  The  spinal  space  begins  with  the 
commencement  of  the  neck,  and  only  terminates  a  little  way 
in  front  of  the  tufted  oil  gland.  The  anterior  part  of  the 
spinal  tract  is  not  always  more  strongly  feathered  than  the 
posterior  part,  and  there  is  (according  to  the  figures  of 
NITZSCH)  hardly  a  break  between  them.  The  ventral  tracts 
also  are  separate  early  on  the  neck.  In  Cancroma  they  divide 
on  the  breast  into  a  broader,  stronger  outer  tract,  which  ceases 
just  below  the  metapatagium,  and  a  narrow  inner  tract.  The 
anterior  ventral  powder-down  patches  constantly  interrupt 
the  continuity  of  the  anterior  and  posterior  sections  of  the 
ventral  tracts. 


— 

Small 
Intestine 

Large 
Intestine 

Caecum 

Ardea  Goliath   . 

90 

•25 

,,      sumatrana        ...                           57 

•15 

pur  pur  ca 

46 

1-5 

•15 

,,      cocoi 

61 

3 

•4 

„      cgrctta      . 

70 

1-5 

•25 

,,       aarzetta    . 

45 

•15 

Butorides  atricapilius        .         .             25 

3-6 

„          ci/cnniriis    ...               30 

3-5 

•15 

Anlt'llii  invnlucris     .          .          .              22'5 

2-25 

Nycticorax  caledonicus      .                       40 

3-5 

•15 

,,           violaceus  .         •         •                          *>0 

•2 

Tinrinoina  brasiliensf 
Cancroma  cochlearia                                  33 

3 
3 

•14 
•15 

Botaurns  stellar  is       .          .                        51 

4                        -15 

A  curious  absence  of  any  apparent  relationship  between 
the  relative  length  of  the  sections  of  the  alimentary  canal, 
and  of  the  alimentary  canal  as  a  whole,  and  of  the  food,  is 
shown  by  the  above  table,  drawn  up  by  Mr.  GAEBOD, 
which  I  reproduce  here  from  his  notes. 

They  seem,  however,  to  ally  the  last  four  genera,  which 


HERODIONES  431 

have  a  long  large  intestine.  As  a  rule  the  left  lobe  of  the 
liver  is  the  smaller,  while  in  the  storks  the  lobes  are  equal. 
A  gall  bladder  is  always  present  except  in  Botaum*  fitt'Hd  ri.fi. 
The  caecum  is  single,  and,  as  will  be  seen  from  above 
measurements,  rudimentary. 

The  carotids  are,  as  a  rule,  two,  and  separate  ;  but  in 
Botaurus  they  fuse,  and  in  Ardetta  mvolucris  the  right  only 
is  present. 

Of  the  leg  muscles  the  ambiens  is  always  absent,  and  the 
formula  is  typically  AXY— .  The  feinuroeaudal  is  never 
strong,  and  is  particularly  slender  in  Ardea  Goliath.1  In  .-1. 
Hum-atruua,  A.  ludoviciana,  Nijcticorax  Gardeni,  Caucroina 
cochlearia,  and  Tigrisouia  braxiliense  it  is  totally  absent. 

The  deep  plantar  tendon*  are  characteristic  ;  there  is 
almost  always  a  very  slender  vinculum  between  the  two, 
which  is  totally  wanting  in  Bottii/rus  stellaris,  Ardetta 
involncris,  and  .4.  ex  His. 

The  tensores  patagii  are  stork-like.  The  tendon  of  the 
brevis  bifurcates,  and  from  the  point  where  the  anterior 
limb  is  inserted  on  to  tendon  of  extensor  of  fore  arm  a 
recurrent  slip  is  given  off  to  lonyus.  This  arrangement 
holds  good  for  Ardea  pitrpurea,  A.  Goliath,  Cancrunia 
cochlea ria,  and  Nijcticorax  grisem;  but  in  Cancroma  the 
recurrent  slip  is  sometimes  absent.  The  pectoralis  abdoini- 
nalis  is  present,  and  thus  serves  to  differentiate  them  from 
the  storks,  ibises,  and  spoonbills,  in  which  the  muscle  is 
absent. 

The  skull  of  the  Ardeida?  has  been  chiefly  studied  by 
SHUFELDT.2  In  the  more  normal  forms  (e.g.  Ardea  cinerea, 
Butorides  cyanurux}  the  skull  is  holorhinal,  the  holorhiny 
not  being  obscured — as  it  is  often  among  the  storks — by 
the  irregular  ossification  of  alinasals.  The  vomer  is  well 
developed,  much  compressed  laterally,  and  largely  double. 
The  maxillo-palatines  are  spongy  bones,  largely  free 
from  each  other  posteriorly.  The  palatines  (see  fig.  '20'2) 

1   Sometimes  absent  in  this  species. 

•  '  Osteologic-til  Studies  of  the  Subfamily  Ardcimr,'  ,J<  urn.  Cmnji.  Mc<L  and 
Stir,/.  1S89. 


432 


STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


are  very  straight  bones,  usually  cut  very  squarely  behind, 
but  notched  postero-laterally  in  Ardea  bubulcus,  A.  mhtnta, 
A.  coniata,  with  well-marked  internal  laminae,  which  extend 
quite  to  the  posterior  end  of  the  bone.  The  interorbital 
septum  is  largely  fenestrate.  The  bony  ectethmoids  are  but 

little  developed ;  Cancroma  is  in 
several  ways  rather  anomalous.  It 
is  heron-like  in  the  fenestrated  in- 
terorbital septum,  and  in  the  fact 
that  the  internal  lamina  of  each 
palatine  is  continuous  to  the  posterior 
end  of  that  bone.  The  nostrils  are 
continued  forward  by  a  deeper  groove 
than  that  which  is  formed  in  the  more 
normal  herons — a  point  of  likeness 
this  to  Scopus  and  Balceniceps  (qq.v.) 
The  very  broad  palatines  join  the 
vomer  again  in  front  of  their  posterior 
junction  with  each  other,  thus  divid- 
ing the  interpalatine  vacuity  into  two 
areas.  It  is  thus  to  a  certain  degree 
'  doubly  desmognathous,'  and  is  so 
far  like  Xenorhynchus  (see  p.  429). 
There  is  a  well-marked  lateral  process 
of  the  palatines,  as  in  Scopus  and 
storks. 

As  in  Scopus  the  procoracoid 
is  very  small  and  the  coracoids  overlap 
each  other  at  their  insertion.  Like 
the  storks,  and  unlike  Scopus,  the 
hypocleidium  articulates  with  the  end 
of  the  carina  stermV  The  hypocleidium,  moreover,  projects 
backwards  between  the  two  clavicles  as  a  narrowish  piece. 

The  hflemapophyses  of  the  cervical  and  dorsal  vertebra 
are  small,  those  of  the  latter  being  sometimes  quite  absent. 
There  is  a  catapophysial  canal  (in  Cancroma  as  well  as 
.Irdca),  formed  in  the  two  types  mentioned  by  cervical 
vertebrae  7-12. 


FK;.  '202. — VENTRAL  SUR- 
FACE OF  SKULL  OF  Ardea 
ciii/'n'd  (AFTER  HUXLEY). 

J't,  pterygoids  ;  /'/,  palatines  ;  )'«, 
vomer  :  Jf.rj>,  maxillo-palatines. 


HERODIONES 


433 


Family  Balsenicepidse. — The  great  '  whale  head  '  of  Africa, 
Balceniceps  rex,  requires  further  study  before  its  exact 
position  can  be  determined.  It  is  admittedly  a  member  of 
the  present  group,  though  its  original  describer,  GOULD, 
regarded  it  as  a  pelican.1  We  know  the  skeleton  through  the 
labours  of  PABKEE,2  while  our  at  present  scanty  know- 


FIG.  203.  —  SYRINX  OF  BaLcniccps. 
FRONT  VIEW.     (AFTER  BEDDARD.) 

/>,  free  margin  of  bronchidesruus. 


FIG.  204.— THE  SAME.  BACK  VIEW. 
(AFTER  BEDDARD.) 


ledge  of  the  soft  parts  is  due  to  myself.3  Its  powder-down 
patches  were  discovered  by  BABTLETT/  As  in  the  herons 
also  the  right  lobe  of  the  liver  is  the  largest,  and  the  caecum 
is  single.  The  syrinx  (see  figs.  203-205)  is  ardeine  inform,  but 
lacks  the  intrinsic  muscles.  These,  however,  are  not  en- 

1  Not  a  serious  mistake  in  view  of  the  admitted  relationships  between  the 
Steganopodes  and  Herodiones. 

-  '  On  the  Osteology  of  Balceniceps  rex,''  Trans.  Zool.  Soc.  iv.  p.  209 
(abstr.  in  P.  Z.  S.  1860,  p.  324). 

3  '  On  certain  Points  in  the  Visceral  Anatomy  of  Balceniceps  bearing  upon 
its  Affinities,'  P.  Z.  S.  1888,  p.  284. 

4  '  On   the   Affinities  of  Balceniceps ,'  ibid.  1861,  p.  131.      See  also  BEIN- 
HAEDT,  '  On  the  Affinities  of  Balceniceps,''  ibid.  1860,  p.  377,  and  GIEBEL,  '  Ueber 
Balceniceps  rex,'  Zeitschr.f.  d.  yes.  Nat.  Ixi.  1873,  p.  3-30. 

F  F 


434         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


tirely  absent ;  their  former  presence  is  indicated  by  a  narrow 
ligament  on  each  side  (fig-.  42,  p.  62),  which  occupies  the  place 
that  a  muscle  should,  and  is  attached  precisely  where  the 
intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  in  other  Ardeidae.  The  meni- 
brana  tympaniformis  is  well  formed,  the  bronchidesmus  is 
incomplete,  while  the  general  form  of  the  organ  is  purely 
tracheo-bronchial  and  thoroughly  ardeine.  This  will  be 
apparent  from  the  annexed  woodcuts. 

'  The  nearest  relations  of  Balaniceps,'  said  PARKER,  '  are 

the  South  American  boatbill  (Can- 
croma  cochlea  ria)  and  the  little 
South  African  umbre  (Scopus  um- 
hri'tta)."  The  interorbital  septum  is 
stork-like  in  its  completeness.  The 
lacrymal,  as  in  Sco'pus  alone  among 
Herodiones,  reaches  as  far  down  as 
the  quadrate  jugal  bar,  but  it  is  fused 
anteriorly  with  the  walls  of  the 

» 

skull.       The  nostrils  are  continued 
forward  by  a  groove  precisely  like 
that   of  Scopus  and  Cancroma.     In 
FIG.  205.— SYRINX  OF  Bate-    the  palatine  bones  the  fusion  of  the 

tllCCpS,  ARRANGED  TO  DISPLAY 

PESSULUS  AND   MEMBRANA    internal  laminae  to  form  a  median 

TYMPANIFORMIS  (AFTER  BED-     keel   I3elimd   tne   interparietal    space 
DARD). 

is  precisely  like  Scopus  ;  so,  too,  is 

the  lateral  angle  of  these  bones  (see  p.  422) .  There  is  a  firm 
synostosis  between  the  furcula  and  the  carina  sterni. 

Cervical  vertebrae  7-13  have,  as  in  most  other  Herodiones 
(excluding,  however,  the  supposed  ally  of  Balceniceps,  Scopus}, 
a  ventral  catapophysial  canal. 

The  family  Plataleidae  includes  not  only  the  spoonbills 
but  the  ibises.  The  name  Hemiglottides  was  applied  by 
NITZSCH  to  the  group  '  on  account  of  the  surprising  small- 
ness  of  their  tongues.' 

The  pterylosis  is  exactly  as  in  the  storks.1     The  rectrices 

1  According  to  NITZSCH  It  appeared  to  me  (in  Platalea  rosea)  to  be  more 
like  that  of  Tantalus  loculator,  in  that  the  hinder  part  of  the  spinal  tract  was 
not  bifid,  but  continuously  though  sparsely  feathered. 


PIEBODIONES 


435 


are  twelve.  The  oil  gland  of  Platnlcn.  It'itcoroiHu  lias  three 
distinct  orifices  on  each  half,  that  of  Ibis  only  one.  The 
long  downwardly  bent  bill  of  the  ibises  distinguishes  them 
from  the  storks  and  suggests  Niniii'iiiiis.  NITZSCH,  indeed, 
regarded  the  birds  as  intermediate  between  the  two  groups 
represented  by  these  types. 

The  tensores  patagii  have  always  a  biceps  slip  running  to 
the  tendon  of  the  longus,  and  there  is  a  patagial  fan. 

In  Ibis  (fthiopica  the  tendon  of  the  tensor  brevis  is 
simple  and  rather  diffuse.  In  Eudocimus  ruber  and  G.  mela- 
nopis  the  tendon  gives  off  a  distinct  wristward  slip,  while  the 
patagial  fan  is  formed  of  two  rather  separate  strands,  with 
the  posterior  of  which,  rather  high  up,  the  wristward  slip 
fuses  in  Geronticus  melanopis. 

In  Platalea  the  muscle  and  its  tendons  are  much  the 
same,  but  the  brevis  is  very  broad  and  fascia-like. 

The  muscle  formula  of  the  leg  is  complete  (i.e.  ABXY+  ) 
in  all  Plataleidse. 

The  plantar  tendons  are  connected  by  a  vinculum  which 
in  Eudocimus  ruber  extends  on  to  the  special  slip  to  digit  II. 
By  the  division  of  this  vinculum  may  have  arisen  the  two 
vincula  of  Ciconia  nigra  (see  above,  p.  427). 

The  liver  is  equilobed  (I.  a'tliiopica},  or  the  right  is  a 
little  larger  (E.  ruber).  A  gall  bladder  is  present.  The 
following  are  intestinal  measurements  :- 


— 

s.  i.                    L.  I. 

C. 

Eudocimus  ruber 

31                      1-6 

•25 

Nipponia  Teiii/iiini-l.'/i 

62 

•35 

Plegadis  falcindliis  - 

42 

••J~>  ' 

Ibis  (Etliiopica     . 

40 

•12 

.,     strict  ipcnnis 

3C. 

•2 

Platalea  Icucorodia    . 

70 

•12 

'(/'(in    • 

-52 

The  intestinal  convolutions   of  Platalea   leucorodia   are 
shown  in  fig.  207.     The  greater  part  of  the  gut  has  preserved 

1  HUNTER,  in  Essays  and  Observations  (eel.  Owen,  London),  isill,  writes  of 
this  species  :  '  The  cseca  are  about  four  inches  long  and  very  small,  attached  to 
the  ileum  their  whole  length.' 

I      K    2 


436         STEUCTUEE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIEDS 

the  primitive  arrangement.  The  duodenal  loop  is  curved, 
and  in  other  storks  (s.s.)  this  (cf.  fig.  208)  is  converted  into  a 
spiral.  There  is  a  tendency,  in  fact,  among  the  Cicomidae 


FIG.  206.— WINDPIPE  OF  Platalea  ajaja  (AFTER  GAREOD). 

11,  trachea  ;  l>,  bifurcation  of  bronchi  iu  front  of  sternum  ;  r.b,  l.b,  bronchi ;  d,  oesophagus 

e,  cervical  muscles. 


HERODIONES 


to  the  formation  of  these  spirals,  which  are  also  found  in  the 
Accipitres. 

The  windpipe  in   the  ibises  is  simple,  not  convoluted ; 


FIG.  207. — INTESTINES  OF  Platalea  Icncoroclia  (AFTER  MITCHELL). 
x,  short-circuiting  vessel  divided. 

but  in  Platalea  leucorodia  it  is  convoluted.1     In  this  bird 
the  windpipe  runs  in  a  straight  or  slightly  sinuous  course 


FIG.  208. — INTESTINES  OF  Ciconia  niyra  (AFTEK  MITCHELL). 

x,  as  in  fig.  207. 

into  the  thorax  ;  it  then  bends  upon  itself,  and  after  an  inch 
and  a  half  or  so  reverts  to  its  original  direction,  and  divides 
within  the  thorax  into  the  two  bronchi. 

'  I  have  a  windpipe  of  P.   leucorodia  which  is  not  convoluted,  but  which 
bifurcates  within  the  thorax. 


4-38         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

In  Phitaha  ajaja  (see  fig.  206)  the  trachea  is  peculiar 
in  that  its  bifurcation  takes  place  about  the  middle  of  the 
neck,  some  distance  at  any  rate  before  the  entry  of  the 
bronchi  into  the  thoracic  cavity. 

In  a  female  which  I  measured  the  bifurcation  was  three 
inches  in  front  of  sternum,  and  the  distance  from  the  bifurca- 
tion to  the  end  of  the  larynx  was  six  and  a  quarter  inches. 
HUDSON  has  stated  l  that  there  are  two  species  of  spoonbill 
in  the  Argentine  :  one  has  a  windpipe  like  that  figured  above, 
and  may  be  considered  to  be  the  true  ajaja,  while  the  other 
has  a  windpipe  which  is  not  modified  in  any  way.  The 
characters  of  the  latter — apart  from  the  question  of  the 
windpipe — have  been  considered  by  some  to  be  those  of 
immaturity  ;  but  this  is  denied  by  HUDSON. 

I  have  in  my  possession  seven  windpipes  of  P.  ajaja,  of 
which  two  are  males  and  the  rest  females.  In  the  two  males 
the  lengths  of  the  trachea  are  practically  identical.  In  the 
females  the  position  of  the  syrinx  varies  considerably,  being 
more  than  an  inch  lower  in  some  than  in  others ;  this  may 
possibly  account  for  the  differences  observed  b}^  Mr. 
HUDSON. 

The  extrinsic  muscles  of  this  species  arise  from  inner  side 
of  coracoid,  not  far  from  the  middle  line  of  sternum.  The 
intrinsic  muscles  of  the  syrinx  are  present  ;  they  cease,  how- 
ever, some  little  way  in  front  of  the  syrinx.  These  muscles 
are  also  inconspicuous,  and  form  a  very  thin  though  rather 
wide  band.  The  syrinx  is  not  especially  stork-like,  except  in 
the  fact  that  the  bronchi  are  for  the  greater  part  of  their 
extent  tubes  with  complete  rings.  The  first  dozen  or  so, 
however,  are  incomplete,  there  being  thus  a  membrana 
tympaniformis. 

There  is  a  cartilaginous  three-way  piece,  and  generally 
there  is  but  little  ossification  in  the  windpipe. 

The  windpipe  of  P.  alba  is  different  from  both  the  species 
already  described. 

It  is  not  convoluted,  but  the  bifurcation  does  not  take 
place  outside  of  the  thoracic  cavity,  as  in  the  last  species.  It 
1  SCLATER  and  HUDSON,  Argentine  Ornithology,  vol.  ii.  p.  115. 


HERODIONES  439 

is  also  stork-like  in  the  fact  that  there  is  no  membraiia  tym- 
paniformis  ;  the  bronchial  rings  are  complete  rings  from  the 
very  first. 

The  main  peculiarity  of  the  windpipe,  however,  lies  in 
the  fact  that  from  a  point  about  three  inches  from  the  larynx 
it  appears  to  bifurcate  and  to  consist  of  two  closely  applied 
tubes.  By  cutting  windows  it  was  ascertained  that  this 
appearance  corresponded  to  the  reality — that  the  windpipe 
did  consist  of  two  tubes.  This  arrangement,  which  seems  to 
characterise  the  present  species  only,  is,  of  course,  suggestive 
of  the  median  tracheal  septum  of  the  penguins,  &C.1 

Of  the  ibises  I  have  examined  the  windpipe  of  Eudocimus 
ritber,  E.  alba,  and  of  Ibis  cethiopica.  There  are  differences 
between  the  species  similar  to  those  which  exist  between  the 
species  of  Platalea.  In.  Ibis  a'thtopica  there  is  no  membrana 
tympanif  ormis,  the  bronchial  rings  being  complete.  In  the  two 
other  species  this  structure  is  present,  and  moreover  the  last 
few  tracheal  rings  are  defective  in  the  middle  line  posteriorly. 

The  extrinsic  pair  of  muscles  are  attached  in  E.  ruber  to 
the  inner  surface  of  sternum  not  far  from  the  middle  line. 
The  intrinsic  muscles  stop  short  some  way  in  front  of  the 
syrinx. 

In  Platalea  ajaja  cervical  vertebrae  7-10  have  a  cata- 
pophysial  canal.  Some  of  the  dorsal  vertebra  are  fused. 

The  number  of  cervical  vertebra  is  seventeen  or  eighteen 
(Platalea  ajaja}.  The  sternum  is  two-notched  (Platalea} 
and  has  a  small  spina  externa,  but  no  spina  interna. 

The  skull  has,  as  in  charadriiform  birds,'2  a  pair  of 
occipital  vacuities. 

It  is  schizorhinal  and  has  rudimentary  basipterygoid 
processes,  which  in  Platalea  ajaja  have  the  form  of  small 
sharp  thorns.  Supra-orbital  impressions  are  feebly  developed. 
The  lacrymals  with  the  ectethmoids  very  nearly  form  a  com- 
plete ring  of  bone,  the  aspect  of  this  part  of  the  skull  being 

1  GADOW,  in  NEWTON'S  Diet.  Birds,  speaks  of  the  trachea  (sub  voce)  of  Platalea 
as  divided  by  a  cartilaginous  septum.  I  have  not  found  this  to  be  the  case 
with  P.  ajaja  or  P.  leucorodia. 

-  Also,  however,  in  geese. 


440         STKUCTUEE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF  BIRDS 


distinctly   charadriine.      A   groove  runs  forward  from   the 
nostrils,  as  in  Scopus,  &c.  (q.v.) 

Family  Phcenicopteridse.1 — Phoenicopterus  agrees  with 
the  storks  in  the  subdivision  of  the  prebronchial  air  sacs  by 
many  septa  into  smaller  chambers.  But,  as  this  also  occurs 


Ac 


FIG.  209. — SYRINX  OF  Pliccnicoptcrus  (AFTER  WELDON). 
An,  frout  view  ;  Ac,  lateral  view. 

in  Cliauna  and  to  a  much  greater  extent,  less  weight  must 
be  laid  upon  it  than  upon  some  of  the  muscular  characters. 

In  the  storks,  as  in  Scopus,  but  not  the  Anatidse,  the  pec- 
toralis  major  is  divided  into  two  distinct  layers.  This  is  also 
the  case  with  Phoenicopterus.  The  tensor es  patagii  are 
closely  similar  in  the  birds  under  comparison  and  diverge 
from  those  of  the  cluck.  The  ducks  are  peculiar  in  the  origin 
of  the  smallest  head  of  the  gastrocnemius  from  the  biceps  ; 

1  Our  knowledge  of  the  anatomy  of  the  '  soft  parts  '  of  Phoenicopterus  is 
mainly  due  to  WELDON  (P.  Z.  S.  1883)  and  to  GADOW  (Joitrn.  f.  Orn.  xxv. 
p.  382.) 


HERODIONES  441 

no  such  connection  occurs  in  either  stork  or  flamingo.  That 
the  deep  flexor  tendons  of  Phoenicopterus  are  not  stork-like  is 
surely  related  to  the  diminutive  hallux  of  that  genus. 

On  the  other  hand  the  accessory  femorocaudal,  though 
small,  is  present  in  the  flamingo,  though  absent  in  the  storks,1 
while  the  syrinx  (fig.  209)  is  not  stork-like.  The  CIECCL  are 
long  (three  inches),  but  the  intestines  are  not  duck-like. 

The  atlas  is  notched  by  the  odontoid  process,  and  the 
notch  is  very  nearly  converted  into  a  foramen.  There  are 
nineteen  cervical  vertebras.  None  of  the  catapophyses  fuse 
to  form  a  canal.  The  transition  between  catapophyses  and 
hsemapophyses  is  more  complete  than  in  most  birds  ;  on  the 
last  cervical  the  two  catapophyses  are  raised  on  a  common 
platform,  and  on  the  first  dorsal  is  the  first  (and  last)  hgema- 
pophysis,  which  is  flattened  and  obscurely  bifid.  The  last 
cervical  and  the  first  three  dorsals  are  fused.  Five  ribs 
reach  the  single-notched  sternum.  The  coracoids  overlap  at 
their  insertion. 

The  skull  is  desmognathous,  with  basipterygoid  processes, 
to  which  the  anterior  ends  of  the  pterygoids  are  attached. 
It  is  holorhinal  with  pervious  nostrils.  There  are  lateral 
occipital  fontanelles.  The  lacrymals  are  large  and  rather 
duck-like,  notched  externally  ;  they  nearly  reach  the  jugal 
bar.  There  are  no  ossified  ectethmoids. 

In  including  the  Plataleidse  and  Ibididae  with  the  Hero- 
diones  I  shall  have  the  assent  of  most  ornithologists.  Alone 
among  recent  observers  who  have  occupied  themselves  with 
the  structure  of  the  group,  GAEBOD  and  FOBBES  placed  the 
spoonbills  and  ibises  apart.  The  latter  included  them  in  his 
group  Pluviales  with  the  Charadrii,  Eliinoclietus,  &c.  These 
diverse  opinions  about  the  Plataleidse  appear  to  me  to  be 
largely  due  to  the  primitive  position  which  they  occupy 
among  the  Herodiones.  They  are  to  my  thinking  not  far  from 
a  basal  '  gralline  '  stock.  The  Plataleidge  have  the  complete 
muscle  formula,  and  the  biceps  slip  to  the  patagium.  Some  of 
these  muscles  have  been  lost  in  the  other  Herodiones,  in  which 

1  With  the  partial  exception  noted  on  p.  425,  footnote. 


442         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIEDS 

there  is  traceable  a  gradual  series  of  modifications.  In  the 
storks  the  accessory  femorocaudal  is  always  absent,  and  in 
some  the  ambiens  and  femorocaudal  also  ;  in  the  Ardeidae  both 
ambiens  and  accessory  femorocaudal  are  gone,  and  the 
modification  of  these  leg  muscles  culminates  in  the  aberrant 
Cancroina,  where  the  formula  is  merely  XY— .  In  the 
Plataleidae  (as  in  Tantalus]  there  are  just  faint  traces  of  the 
basipterygoid  processes,  missing  elsewhere  in  the  group. 
The  ibises  are  schizorhinal,  and  in  Platalea  the  ends  of  the 
nasal  grooves  are  rounded,  thus  tending  towards  the  holo- 
rhinal,  while  the  lower  part  of  the  bony  nostril  is  wider  than 
the  upper,  appearing  thus  to  show  a  commencing  occlusion 
of  the  schizorhinal  nostril  into  a  holorhinal  one  ;  in  A  rdea 
t-in  i' re  a  a  faint  trace  of  a  former  schizorhinal  condition  is 
seen  in  a  slight  groove  which  runs  back  from  the  end  of  the 
holorhinal  nostril,  as  in  Cluing  a  (see  p.  144).  The  schizo- 
rhinal  condition,  as  has  been  before  pointed  out,  is  probably 
the  more  archaic.  Finally  the  Plataleida?  have,  according 
to  MITCHELL,  the  most  primitive  form  of  gut  among  the 
Herodiones.  Significant  points  of  likeness  between  the 
Plataleidse  and  Grues  are  not  wanting  ;  the  occipital  foramina 
and  the  impressions  of  the  supra-orbital  glands  were  among 
the  facts  that  led  FOKBES  to  associate  them  together.  The 
convoluted  windpipe  is  common  to  Platalea,  Tantalus,  and 
Grits.  Both  Platalea  and  Gnis  have  the  complete  muscle 
formula  and  schizorhinal  nostrils. 

It  has  been  often  asserted  that  there  are  likenesses 
between  the  Herodiones  and  the  accipitrine  birds.  This 
largely  reduces  itself  to  a  comparison  between  the  Herodiones 
on  the  one  hand  and  the  Cathartidss  and  Serpentarius  on 
the  other  ;  for  if  the  two  latter  forms  of  accipitrine  birds  are 
rightly  so  placed  the  falcons  must,  on  account  of  the  various 
reductions  in  their  structure,  be  derived  from  some  form  near 
to  these,  and  cannot  be  their  ancestors.  There  are  two  at 
first  sight  rather  striking  likenesses  between  the  Herodiones 
and  these  lower  accipitrines.  GADOW  has  commented  upon 
resemblances  in  the  lie  of  the  intestines,  and  MITCHELL  has 
still  further  emphasised  this  likeness.  In  both  groups  (the 


HEEODIONES 

falcons  only  among  the  Accipitres  were  examined)  there  is  a 
tendency  for  the  intestine  to  be  thrown  into  spirally  twisted 
loops ;  but  MITCHELL  is  of  opinion  that  this  is  really  no 
more  than  a  convergent  resemblance,  for  as  the  simpler 
types  are  considered  the  spiral  arrangement  becomes  less 
and  less  obvious,  thus  indicating  its  special  development,  and 
independent  development,  in  both. 

The  second  point  concerns  the  syrinx,  which  as  a  special- 
ised organ  is  wanting  in  both  storks  and  Cathartidse.  In 
neither  group  are  there  intrinsic  muscles.  This  point  of 
resemblance  rests,  however,  upon  mere  negativity.  The 
details  of  the  conformation  of  the  lower  part  of  the  larynx 
are,  as  may  be  inferred  from  the  preceding  explanations  and 
figures,  extremely  different  in  both ;  it  seems  as  if  the  syrinx 
has  degenerated  in  both,  but  along  quite  different  lines,  the 
loss  of  the  intrinsic  muscles  being  about  the  only  point  in 
common.  And  we  know  from  other  groups  that  this  muscle 
may  be  independently  lost.  There  is,  to  my  mind,  as  much 
to  be  said  for  a  derivation  of  the  Accipitres  from  the  crane  as 
from  the  pelargine  stock,  the  fact  being  that  we  must 
probably  seek  for  the  origin  of  both  from  a  low  branch, 
perhaps  common  to  all.  The  matter  is  further  dealt  with 
under  the  section  devoted  to  the  Grues. 

The  skull  of  the  flamingo  is  not  duck-like.  The  back 
view  of  it,  with  the  occipital  fontanelles,  might,  it  is  true,  be 
mistaken  for  that  of  an  anserine  bird ;  but  there  are  no 
salient  likenesses  elsewhere.  There  are  but  rudimentary 
basipterygoid  facets,  and  the  palatines  have  (which  they 
have  not  in  the  duck  tribe)  a  well-developed  internal  lamina, 
which,  as  is  so  often  the  case,  is  sharply  bent  downwards  at 
its  edge.  In  front  of  the  fused  maxillo-palatiiies  there  is  no 
palatal  vacuity,  as  in  nearly  all  Anseres.  The  lacrymals, 
like  those  of  the  Anseres,  are  certainly  large ;  but  their  size  is 
not  so  conspicuously  marked  in  the  length  of  their  base  of 
attachment  to  the  margin  of  the  orbit  as  in  the  length  and 
great  breadth  of  the  descending  process,  not  a  feature  of  the 
anserine  skull.  The  ectethmoids  seem  hardly  ossified.  The 
interorbital  septum  is  largely  deficient  in  front,  as  in  Clianna, 


444         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 

but  is  also  more  vacuolated  behind,  and  in  a  different  way  from 
what  is  found  among  the  few  Anseres  in  which  the  inter- 
orbital  septum  is  not  solid.  The  length  of  the  angular 
process  of  the  mandible,  though  a  duck  character,  is  also 
found  in  the  Plataleidte.  There  are  so  many  characteristic 
duck-like  characters  wanting  in  the  skull  of  Phcenicopterus 
that  we  cannot  place  it  with  that  group. 

Of  fossil  Herodiones  a  considerable  number  of  genera  and 
species  have  been  described.  These  range  from  the  Cretaceous 
to  cave  deposits,  and  have  been  found  in  Europe,  India, 
Mauritius,  and  Rodriguez.  If  Scaniornis,  described  lately 
by  DAMES,1  from  the  Cretaceous  of  Sweden,  be  really  an 
ally  of  the  flamingo-like  bird  Palcelodus,  it  is  important  to 
note  that  this  family  goes  back  further  into  the  past  than 
any  other  living  family,  so  far  as  our  information  allows  us 
to  say.  HUXLEY'S  name  of  '  Amphimorphse  '  for  the  group, 
and  his  remark  to  the  effect  that  they  are  so  thoroughly 
intermediate  between  the  storks  and  ducks,  will  occur  to  the 
mind  in  this  connection.  This  bird  is  known  by  a  scapula, 
coracoid,  and  humerus. 

The  other  forms  upon  which  new  genera  have  been  founded 
are  not  known  by  even  so  much  as  the  scanty  remains  of  Scanior- 
nis. Thus  Palc&ociconia,  Propclar/jns,  Ibidopodia  are  only  known 
by  the  tarso-metatarsus  (incomplete),  while  the  other  genera  are 
founded  upon  equally  fragmentary  remains.  Tantalus  Milne- 
Edwardsii 2  (nearly  perfect  tibio-tarsus),  from  middle  Miocene, 
France.  Palcelodus,  however,  is  known  by  coracoid,  scapula,  and 
some  of  the  '  long  bones,'  as  well  as  the  sternum,  '  scarcely  to  be 
distinguished  from  the  somewhat  larger  sternum  of  Phoenicopterus 
roseus,'  furcula,  one  or  two  vertebras,  and  metacarpal  bones.  The 
bird  seems  not  to  have  had  such  long  legs  as  the  modern  flamingo, 
but  longer  toes.  Elornis  (Eocene  and  Miocene)  was  also  a 
flamingo,  but  intermediate  in  the  length  of  its  legs  between 
Phcenic<ij>t<'niN  and  Palcelodus.  Agnopterus  (Miocene)  is  reckoned 
a  flamingo  by  FURBRINGER,  placed  '  inccrtcc  scdis'  by  LYDEKKER. 

1  '  Uber  Vogelreste  aus  dem  Saltholmskalk  von  Limhamn  bei  Malmo,'  Bill.  K. 
SvensTt.  Ak.  Handl.  xvi.  1891. 

-  SHUFELDT.  '  Fossil  Bones  of  Birds,'  &c.,  P.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Pliilad.  1890, 
p.  507. 


TUBINAEES  445 


TUBINARES 

Definition. — Nostrils  produced  into  tubes.  Aftershaft  present,  aquinto- 
cubital.  Oil  gland  tufted.  Skull  schizognathous,  holorhinal. 
Two  carotids  present.  Large  supra-orbital  glands. 

The  peculiar  form  of  the  external  nares,  which  has  given 
to  the  group  its  name,  characterises  it.  It  is  a  character 
which  is  found  in  no  other  group,1  but  in  all  members  of 
the  present.  The  Tubinares  are  nearly  the  only  large  group 
of  birds  which  can  thus  be  diagnosed  by  a  single  character. 
The  tube  itself  is,  according  to  FOEBES,  whose  '  Challenger  ' 
memoir  upon  the  group  forms  the  chief  classic  upon  the 
subject,  in  Majaqueus,  and  probably  in  other  genera, 
caused  by  a  growth  of  the  catilaginous  walls  of  the  nasal 
sacs.  The  degree  of  fusion  between  the  two  tubes  varies  in 
different  genera.  In  Procellaria,  for  example,  they  quite 
coalesce  and  the  external  aperture  is  single.  In  Pelecanoi:l< ^ 
there  is  a  distinct  and  not  broad  septum ;  while  in  Bulwcria 
and  others  the  septum  is  so  broad  that  the  tubes  almost 
appear  double. 

The  petrels  are  web- footed  birds  with  a  small  hallux, 
which  in  Pelecanoides  is  quite  absent.  The  web  does  not 
take  in  the  rudimentary  hallux.  The  general  number  of  the 
rectrices  is  twelve,  but  Ossifraga  has  as  many  as  sixteen. 
The  after  shaft  is  always  present.  The  pterylosis  does  not 
vary  greatly  ;  the  dorsal  and  ventral  tracts  are  well  separated 
upon  the  neck.  The  ventral  pteryla  is  divided  on  the 
neck ;  in  the  pectoral  region  each  branch  again  divides. 
The  dorsal  tract  divides  at  the  middle  of  the  scapulae  into 
two,  which  unite  later,  thus  enclosing  a  space. 

The  tongue  varies  much  in  size  and  in  the  amount  of  its 
spiny  bordering  or  covering.  In  Diomedea,  for  instance,  it  is 
much  covered  superiorly  with  spines.  In  (E 'sir 'data  and 
others  the  tongue  has  a  bordering  of  spines  which  are  lateral 

1  It  has  been  pointed  out  that  the  complex  and  somewhat  protuberant 
nostrils  of  CMonis  bear  a  little  resemblance  to  those  of  the  Tubinares,  but  are 
differently  developed. 


446         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


as  well  as  posterior ;  in  Daption  capensis,  and  in  many 
others,  the  spines  are  confined  to  the  hind  margin  of  the 
organ.  The  more  usual  condition  is  the  intermediate 
form. 

There  is  a  well-developed  but  small  gizzard  present. 
The  cccca  are  absent  in  the  Oceanitidae,  but  present,  as  a 
rule,  in  the  Procellariidse  ;  they  are  small  and  nipple-like, 
and  in  Cymochorea  appear  to  be  reduced  to  a  single  csecum. 

The  gall  bladder  is 
always  present,  and  the 
lobes  of  the  liver  are 
equal  or  nearly  so.  The 
arrangement  of  the 
intestine  is  shown  in 
fig.  -210.  The  duodenal 
loop  is  double ;  the 
greater  part  of  the  in- 
testine is  drawn  out  into 
a  considerable  number 
of  straightish  loops. 

As      to       muscular 
auntomij,      the      great 
FIG.    210.— INTESTINES  OF  Fulmar  us  glacia-      pectoral  is  divisible  into 

two  layers  by  an  inter- 
posed tendon,  as  in  storks 
and  Steganopodes.  But  in  Lams,  according  to  FURBRINGER 
(and  in  Podica  also),  the  same  division  occurs,  which  tends 
to  lessen  the  differences  between  the  Tubinares  and  the 
Laridse,  so  insisted  upon  by  GARROD,  FORBES,  and  some 
others.  The  tensor es  patagii  in  the  Tubinares  are  com- 
plicated, but  not  in  all  the  genera.  In  the  Oceanitidte  they 
are  simplest.  In  these  petrels  the  tensor  brevis  is  a  simple 
tendon.  In  Pelecanoides,  and  in  some  others,  there  is  the 
additional  complication  that  the  tendon  bifurcates  near  to 
its  attachment  on  the  extensor  tendon,  and  gives  off  an 
anterior  slip  inserted  more  wristwards.  In  Prion  affairs 
are  still  further  complicated  by  the  metamorphosis  into 
tendon  of  the  whole  of  the  extensor  inetacarpi  radialix 


Us  (AFTER  MITCHELL). 
.r,  short-circuiting  vessel  divided. 


TUBINARES  447 

superficialis.  In  (Extrcluta  brevirostris  we  first  meet  with 
a  recurrent  slip  going  to  the  longus  tendon  and  arising 
from  the  brevis  in  front  of  the  termination  of  its  anterior 
branch.  The  more  typical  tubinarian  arrangement  is  seen 
in  (Estrelata  Lessoni.  We  find  here  the  characteristic 
ossicle  of  the  tendon  of  the  brevis  which  is  found  in 
so  many  Tubinares,  and  which  has  been  held  by  some  to 
be  a  character  of  much  systematic  importance  in  differen- 
tiating the  group — a  character  which  FURBRINGER  thinks 
has  been  '  overvalued.'  !  From  this  ossicle  spring  some 
of  the  fibres  of  the  extensor  muscle  of  the  fore  arm  ;  it  is 
also  the  starting  point  of  the  recurrent  tendinous  fibres, 
which  unite  the  brevis  and  longus  tendons ;  these  tendons 
tire,  moreover,  in  close  apposition  for  nearly  the  whole  of 
their  course — itself  a  characteristic  feature  of  the  Tubinares. 
In  Ossifraga  and  in  some  other  genera  there  are  no 
ossicles,  but  the  tendons  are  highly  complicated.  In  some 
petrels— for  instance,  in  Diomedea  exsulans — the  wing  sesa- 
inoid  is  double,  and  in  this  bird  also  there  are  considerable 
complications  of  the  various  tendons.  While,  therefore,  we 
cannot  define  the  petrels  by  the  arrangement  of  the  tendons 
of  the  tensores,  as  is  sometimes  possible,  it  is  evident  that 
we  have  what  might  be  expected  in  a  large  and  important 
group — a  very  considerable  series  of  modifications  of  these 
organs.  No  petrel  has,  strictly  speaking,  a  biceps  slip,  and 
the  biceps  itself,  though  perfectly  normal  in  origin  and 
insertion,  has  much  more  largely  degenerated  into  tendon 
than  is  usual  for  this  muscle.  There  is,  however,  a  curious 
modification  of  this  muscle  in  Pelecanoides  and  in  a  few 
others.  Here  the  coracoidal  head  alone  forms  the  muscle  ; 
the  humeral  head  goes  entirely  to  the  tensor  patagii  long  us  ; 
this  slip  is,  therefore,  as  FORBES  remarks,  '  functionally  a 
biceps  slip.'  Something  apparently  representing  the  true 
biceps  slip  is  occasionally  found  in  the  Tubinares.  In  a 
few  there  is  a  tendon  derivable  from  the  humeral  head  of  the 

1  Justly,  as  it  is  found  not  only  among  the  Steganopodes,  which  may  IK- 
fairly  re^in''!'-'!   as  allies  of  the  Tubinares,  but   also   in   so  remote  a  type  as 

Me  i -nps  ! 


448         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

biceps,  which  appears  to  end  on  the  fascia  of  the  wing.1 
The  expansor  secundariorum,  found  only  among  the 
Oceanitidse,  is  peculiar  in  that  it  arises  from  the  surface  of 
the  pectoral  ;  its  muscular  belly  is,  as  usual,  at  the  elbow, 
and  the  tendon  is  joined  by  a  branch  from  the  scapularies. 
The  anconffus  has  a  well-marked  tendinous  attachment  to 
the  humerus. 

The  muscles  of  the  hind  limb,  to  which  GAEEOD  attached 
so  much  classificatory  importance,  vary  much  in  the  group. 
The  ambiens  is  present  in  all  except  Fregetta  and  Pele- 
canoides.  In  Garrodia  and  some  others  the  tendon  does 
not  cross  the  knee.2  All  have  a  femorocaudal,  but  the 
accessory  is  absent  in  Bulweria  and  Pelecanoides.  The 
semitendinosus  has  an  accessory  in  the  Oceanitida?,  but  not 
in  the  others.  It  is  inserted  separately  from  the  semi- 
mernbranosus.  The  deep  flexors  blend  about  halfway  down 
the  leg  ;  but  when  a  hallux  is  present  it  receives  no  slip 
from  the  conjoined  tendons.  The  syrinx  of  the  Tubinares 
shows  an  interesting  series  of  gradations,  from  a  quite 
ordinary  tracheo-bronchial  type  to  what  is  very  much  like  the 
bronchial  syrinx  of  the  Caprimulgidae,  though  FUEBEING-EE, 
while  admitting  the  '  bronchophone  tendency  '  of  the  syrinx 
of  the  Strigidse,  as  a  point  of  similarity  between  that  group 
and  the  Caprimulgidse,  considers  that  only  '  artificially  '  can 
the  Tubinares  and  the  Spheniscidse  be  brought  into  the  same 
line.  Nevertheless  in  the  series  of  Tubinares  the  bronchial 
rings  to  which  the  intrinsic' muscles  are  attached  seem  to 
move  further  down.  FOEBES,  however,  regards  this  as  a 
splitting  of  the  trachea,  and  holds  that  the  intrinsic  muscles 
are  invariably  fastened  to  the  fifth  semi-ring.  '  It  is  in  the 
genus  Pelecanoides,'  remarks  FOEBES,  '  that  the  typical 
construction  of  the  syrinx  of  the  Tubinares  is  seen  in  its 
simplest  form.'  In  this  bird  all  the  bronchial  rings  are 
semi-rings,  and  there  is  a  three-way  piece  of  the  usual 

1  In  a  specimen  oi^Nycticorax  griscus  on  one  side  of  the  body  I  found  a 
tendon  from  the  biceps  running  I  to  the  tensor  brevis  tendon,  which  may  be  com- 
parable to  the  above-described  slip. 

-  Cf.  as  to  this  0£>isthocomus,  CEdicnemits,  and  Ccisuarins. 


TUBINAKES 


44!) 


structure.     In   Garrodia  the  first  three  bronchial  rings  are 

O 

complete.  In  Thalassoeca  glacialoides  the  last  four  tracheal 
rings  are  incomplete  behind,  and  are  quite  like  the  four 
succeeding  bronchial  semi-rings,  being,  moreover,  like  them, 


-75 


FIG.  211. — SKULL  OF  Diomedea  cxulans 

(AFTER  HUXLEY). 
Vo,  vomer ;  ?,fxp,  maxillo  palatines  ;  1't,  pterygoid. 


FIG.  212. —  SKULL  OK   Procellaria 
girjantea  (AFTER  HUXLEY). 

PI,  palatines  ;  *,  basipterygoid  process. 
Other  letters  as  iu  fig.  211. 


ossified.  This  modification  is  carried  to  its  furthest  extreme 
in  Ossifraga.  In  this  petrel  the  last  nine  or  ten  tracheal 
rings  are  incomplete  in  front,  and  the  last  twelve  or  so  are 
incomplete  behind.  Thus  the  membrana  tympaniformis 
does  not  commence  for  some  distance  away  from  the  bifur- 
cation of  the  respiratory  tube,  the  rings  being  double  and 

G  G- 


450         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

complete  for  the  same  way  in  front  of  it.  The  division  of 
the  trachea  is  carried  upwards  above  the  point  where  it  is 
externally  divided  into  two  tubes  by  an  internal  septum. 
And  in  Adjust.'*,  though  there  is  no  external  division  of 
the  trachea,  there  is  an  incomplete  internal  septum.  In 
Diomedea,  according  to  SWINHOE,  at  any  rate  in  two 
species,  the  bronchi  are  long  and  convoluted,  as  in  certain 
storks. 

The  petrels    are    schizognathous    and   holorhinal    birds, 
some  with  basipterygoid  processes.     The  skull  possesses  a 
small  peculiar  bone,  which  has  been  termed  the  '  ossiculum 
lacrymo-palatinum/ l    whose   relations    are    sufficiently   in- 
dicated b}T  its  name.     This  bone  occurs  in  many  genera  ; 
but  it   is  said  to  be  of  no   great  classificatory  significance,2 
since  it  also  occurs  in  birds  so  remote  from  the  petrels  and 
from  each  other  as  Cuculidae,  Cariama,  and  Laridae.     The 
skull  is  markedly  excavate  above  the  orbits  for  the  supra- 
orbital  glands.     The  skull  of  an  albatross  (Diomedea  melcuio- 
phryx)    is    in    more  than    one   particular   like    that    of   the 
steganopods.     It    is,    it  is   true,    schizognathous ;    but    the 
interval   separating  the  maxillo-palatines   and  the  palatine 
expansions  of  the  maxillae  in  front  of  these  is  very  slight ; 
and,    as    FOEBES    has    observed,    the    downwardly    curved 
extremity  of  the  vomer  partly  fills  up  this  gap,  though  there 
is  110   actual  fusion  between  it  and    the   maxillo-palatines. 
The  hooked  bill  is   Fregata-like;  and  the  closely  approxi- 
mated and  downwardly  produced   internal  laminae    of    the 
palatines  are  highly  suggestive  of  the  pelican.     There  are 
always  fifteen    cervical   vertebra.     The    sternum   varies    so 
much,  from  having  a  plain  hinder  contour  to  the  presence  of 
two  notches  on  each  side,  that  its  characters  need  not  be 
given  in  detail. 

The  petrels  can  be  divided  into  two  families,  the 
Oceaiiitidfe  and  the  Procellariidae,  which  may  be  thus 
defined  :— 

1  By  BRANDT.     PARKER  has  termed  it  '  uncinate.' 
•  See,  however,  under  Steganopodes,  p.  41(3. 


TUBIXAUES  4-.1 

Oceanitidae. 

Tarsi  ocreate  or  covered  by  large  transwrsely 
oblique  rentes  anteriorly.  No  cceca.  Expansor 
secundariorum  present.  Accessory  semitendinosus 

prese'nt.     Ainbiens  (ichcii  present)    docs  not  pass 
over  knee.      Wing  shorter  than  leg. 

Procellariidae. 

Tarsi  covered  iritJt  Jir.ragunal  scnteUa.  Cceca 
present  (except  in  Halocyptena).  No  expansor 
secundariorum  or  accessory  semitendinosus. 
Ambiens  (absent  in  Pclecanoides)  crosses  knee. 
Leg  sJiorter  than  icing. 

Not  many  fossil  Tubinares  are  known.  If  Hi/drornis  natator 
of  MILNE-EDWARDS,  from  the  lower  Miocene  of  France,  be  referable 
to  this  group,  it  has  a  considerable  antiquity.  Diouicdrd  anglica 
has  been  lately  described  by  LYDEKKEB.1 

The  nearest  allies  of  the  petrels  appear  to  be  the 
Steganopodes  (q.v.) 


PALAMEDEJE 

Definition. — Aftershaft  rudimentary.  Aquincubital.  Oil  gland  tufted. 
Muscle  formula,  A(B)XY  +  .  No  biceps  slip.  Expansor  secun- 
dariorum present.  Carotids,  two.  Caeca  large.  Skull  desmo- 
gnathoxis,  holorninal,  with,  basipterygoid  processes.  Ribs  without 
uncinate  processes. 

This  well-marked  group  of  birds  has  only  two  genera  at 
most,  which  collectively  contain  but  three  species.  It  has 
been  chiefly  investigated  by  PARKER,2  GARROD,3  MITCHELL,' 
and  myself/"' 

1  In  Quart.  Journ.  Geol.  Soc.  xlii.  p.  366. 

-  '  On  the  Systematic  Position  of  the  Crested  Screamer,'  P.  Z.  S.  1863, 
p.  511. 

3  '  On  the  Anatomy  of  Cliauna  derbiana,'  &c.,  ibid.  1876,  p.  189. 

1  •  On  the  Anatomy  of  Cliauna  chavaria,'  ibid.  1895,  p.  350. 

3  '  On  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  Cliauna  chavaria,'  ibid.  1886,  p.  178, 
and  BEDDAKD  and  MITCHELL,  'On  the  Anatomy  of  Palon/fi/fii,'  ibid.  1894, 
p.  536. 

G  G  2 


452         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

The  skin  in  these  birds  is  excessively  emphysematous, 
save  only  on  the  shoulder,  and — in  Palamedea  and  Chauna 
derbiana — on  the  tibia.  The  feathers,  however,  do  not  per- 
forate the  cutaneous  air  cells,  '  but  cause  the  skin  to  be 
indented  where  they  are  inserted.'  The  aftershaft,  though 
present,  is  confined  to  the  feathers  on  the  nape  of  the  neck. 
The  rectrices  are  twelve  in  Chauna  and  fourteen  in  Palame- 
dea. The  oil  gland  in  Ch.  derbiana  has  a  single  orifice  on 
each  side  ;  it  is  encircled  by  feathers  which  constitute  the 
tuft. 

In  Gh.  char  aria  the  summit  of  the  oil  gland  is  covered 
by  feathers,  a  line  of  which  separates  the  two  orifices  of  the 
gland.  In  Palamedea  the  same  is  the  case,  but  the  encircling- 
ring  of  feathers  is  not  complete  on  the  ventral  side.  The 
pterylosis  is  almost  unique  in  the  fact  that  there  are  no 
apteria,  except,  indeed,  a  space  in  the  axillary  cavities,  and 
these  are  covered  with  down  feathers.  The  strong  horny 
spur  borne  on  a  bony  core,  an  outgrowth  of  the  first  meta- 
carpal,  is  comparable  to  a  thickened  featherless  patch  of  skin 
in  a  corresponding  situation  in  Sarcidiornis.1 

The  patagialis  muscle  is  not  reinforced  by  a  biceps  slip  ; 
the  brevis  tendon  is  single,  but  broad,  and  without  a  patagial 
fan.  The  expansor  secundariorum  is  present  and  '  ciconiine.' 
The  insertion  of  the  deltoides  posterior  is  extensive  in  Pala- 
medea— for  about  three  inches  down  the  humerus.  The 
anconaus  has  a  well-marked  humeral  head.  The  division  of 
the  biceps  commences  in  the  fleshy  belly  of  the  muscle. 
In  all  the  members  of  this  family  a  very  peculiar  muscle 
exists,  to  which  Mr.  MITCHELL  and  I  have  given  the  name  of 
costo-sternalis  externus.  It  arises  from  the  third,  fourth, 
and  fifth  ribs  by  a  tendinous  head,  and  is  inserted  on  to  the 
costal  edge  of  the  sternum  half  an  inch  from  the  posterior 
end. 

The  muscles  of  the  leg  are  complete,  as  regards  those 
upon  which  GAEROD  laid  stress  in  his  classification,  in 
Chauna.  In  Palamedea,  however,  the  accessory  femorocau- 
dal  is  absent.  The  biceps  has  not  an  anserine  insertion,  but 

1  Not,  of  course,  to  the  carpal  spur  of  Plectropterus. 


PALAMEDK.E 


453 


passes  through  a  loop  in  the  ordinary  way.  Both  peromal 
muscles  are  present  ;  the  tibialis  anticus  is  split  just  at  its 
insertion.  The  deep  flexor  tendons  differ  somewhat  in  the 


FIG.  213.— C.T.CA  OF  Chauna  chavaria  (AFTEK  BEDDARD). 


454         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


three  species.  In  Palamedea  the  flexor  longus  hall  nets  is 
slender,  and  gives  off  a  vinculum  to  the  flexor  commit n  is 
tendon,  before  supplying  the  first  digit  ;  in  Cliauna  derl'unM 
there  is  no  branch  to  the  first  digit  at  all ;  Cliauna  char  aria 

is   like  Palamedea,  but  there  are  two 
distinct  vincula. 

The  palate  (of  Ch.  chavaria  at  any 
rate)  is  provided  with  three  longitudinal 
rows  of  papillae  ;  the  tongue  is  just  over 
an  inch  long,  and  its  base  is  edged  with 
spines.  There  is  no  transverse  constric- 
tion or  oblique  groove,  such  as  is  found 
in  many  anatiform  birds.  The  proven- 
tricidus  is  peculiar ;  there  is  a  narrow 
zone  of  glands  round  the  cesophageal 
aperture,  from  which  a  broad  triangular 
patch  extends  down  one  side  of  the 
cavity.  The  gizzard  is  decidedly  small. 
The  lobes  of  the  liver  are  more  nearly 
equal  in  size  in  Cliauna  than  in  Pala- 
medea ;  in  all  there  is  a  conspicuous  gall 
bladder.  The  cfsca  (fig.  213)  are  in 
some  respects  unique  in  structure  ;  they 
are  in  the  first  place  large,  measuring 
three  inches  or  so  in  length  ;  they  are 
sacculated  by  a  single  band. 

The  windpipe  agrees  with  that  of 
some  of  the  Anseres  in  having  two  pairs 
of  extrinsic  muscles  : :  the  upper  pair  is 
inserted  into  the  middle  of  the  membrane,  which  runs 
between  the  coracoid  and  the  corresponding  limb  of  the 
furcula ;  the  lower  pair  close  to  the  costal  processes  of  the 
sternum.  The  intrinsic  muscles  cease  some  little  way  in 
front  of  the  syrinx. 

The   prebronchial    and  subbronchial  air  sacs  are,  in  Ch. 
chavaria  at  least,  much  divided  up,  as  in   the   storks.     In 

1  Apparently  first  noted  by  CRISP,  '  On  the  Visceral  Anatomy  of  the  Screamer,' 
P.  Z.  S.  18G4,  p.  14. 


FIG.  214. — WINDPIPE  OF 
Palamedea  (AFTER  BED- 
DARD  AND  MITCHELL). 


PALAMEDE.E 


45/5 


Chauna  the  lower  pair  of  extrinsic  muscles  fan  out  upon  the 
aponeurosis  of  the  lungs. 

There  are  eighteen  cervical  vertebra  in  Palamedeaaxidim 
Ch.  chavaria,  nineteen  in  Ch.  derbia/ia.  There  are  seven 
complete  ribs  in  Palamedea,  eight  in  Chauna.  The  sternum, 
which  has  one  notch  on  either  side,  has  neither  external  nor 
internal  spina.  There  are  in  neither  genus  any  traces  of 
uncinate  processes  on  the  ribs,  a 
character  which  is  unique  among 
living  birds.1 

The  skull  of  the  Palamedeidse 
lias  many  anserine  characteristics, 
which  have  been  emphasised  by 
PARKER,  and  perhaps  rather  too 
lightly  touched  upon  by  GARROD. 
In  their  desmogiiathism  (which  is 
a  complete  fusion)  they  are,  of 
course,  anserine,  the  form  of  the 
maxillo-palatines  most  recalling 
those  of  Mergus.  The  form  of  the 
palatines  is  duck-like  or  gallina- 
ceous in  the  rudimentary  character 
of  the  internal  lamina,  which  is  a 
mere  ridge.  The  pterygoids  are 
articulated  to  the  large  oval  duck- 
like  basipterygoid  processes,  nearer 
to  their  middle  than  is  the  case 
with  the  Anseres.  The  lacrymals 
are  small,  quite  contrary  to  what 
is  found  among  the  Anseres, 

though  the  ectethmoids  are  not  unlike  those  of  the 
latter  group.  The  anterior  part  of  the  face,  with  the  clear- 
cut  holorhinal  nostrils  and  the  hooked  bill,  is  suggestive  of 
Cariama  or  a  gallinaceous  bird  ;  it  does  not  at  least  recall  the 
duck  or  goose.  The  interorbital  septum  is  deficient  in  front, 


FIG.  215. — SKULL  OF  Chauna 
dcrbiana.  VENTRAL  ASPECT. 
(AFTER  GARROD.) 


1  Not  even  a  rudiment  of  these  characteristically  avian  structures  has,  so  far 
as  I  am  aware,  been  detected. 


456         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

but   not    fenestrate  posteriorly.       Occipital  fontanelles    are 
absent. 

Though  perhaps  rightly  placed  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  geese,  it  is  obvious,  from  what  has  been  said,  that  the 
Palamedeida?  are  distinguished  from  them  by  many  differ- 
ences, of  which  the  most  important  are  perhaps— 

(1)  Continuous  feathering. 

(2)  Absence  of  biceps  slip  to  patagium. 

(3)  Peculiar  form  of  intestinal  casca. 

(4)  Normal  character  of  biceps  cruris. 

(5)  Emphysematous  character  of  skin  and  breaking  up  of 
cervical  air  sacs. 

On  the  other  hand  there  is  nothing  in  the  skull  which 
forbids  an  association  with  the  Anseres,  and  the  windpipe, 
with  its  two  pairs  of  extrinsic  muscles,  is  decidedly  goose-like. 
But  it  must  be  remembered  that  this  feature  is  also  found 
among  Galli,  and  in  a  few  other  forms. 


ANSERES  ' 

Definition. — Oil  gland  tufted.  Aftershaft  small  or  absent.  Aquin- 
cubital.  Two  carotids.  Trachea  with,  two  pairs  of  extrinsic 
muscles.  Casca  long.  Gall  bladder  present.  Biceps  slip  present. 
Glutseus  maximus  large.  Muscle  formula  of  leg,  ABX  +  .  Skull 
desniogiiathous,  with,  basipterygoid  facets. 

The  swans,  geese,  ducks,  and  mergansers,  which  make  up 
this  large  assemblage  of  birds,  are  all  aquatic,  or  semi-aquatic, 
in  habit,  and  in  correspondence  have  webbed  feet,  with  the 
exception  only  of  Anseranas.  They  are  also  for  the  most 
part  strong  flyers,  excepting  only  the  living  Tacliyeres  cinereus 
and  the  extinct  Cuemiornis  calcitrans. 

Tacliyeres  cinereus,  the  '  steamer  duck,'  from  the  shores 
of  Patagonia,  has  been  investigated  by  E.  0.  CUNNINGHAM.2 
It  does  not  appear  from  his  memoir,  which  relates  chiefly 
to  osteology,  but  in  the  course  of  which  he  describes  and 

1  H.  SEEBOHM,  '  An  Attempt  to  diagnose  the  Sub-Orders  of  the  Ancient 
Ardeo-Anserine  Assemblage,'  etc.,  Ibis,  1889,  p.  92. 

2  '  On  the  Steamer  Duck,'  Tr.  Z.  S.  vii.  p.  493. 


ANSERES 


457 


figures  the  gizzard  and  windpipe,  that  there  are  noteworthy 
modifications  of  structure.  The  bird  flies  strongly  when 
young,  but  swims  only  when  adult.  CUNNINGHAM  suggests 
a  greater  density  of  the  bones  ;  but  when  weighed  and  com- 
pared with  the  skeleton  of  some  other  Anseres  no  reliable 
differences  were  apparent. 

Cnemiornis  calcitrans  is  a  large  anserine  bird  from  the 
Pleistocene  deposits  of  New  Zealand,  which,  according  to 
Sir  JAMES  HECTOR/  stood  over  two  feet  high,  and  was  at 
least  three  feet  in  length.  Cnemiornis  is  characterised  by 
the  great  weight  of  its  bones  ;  the  following  comparative 
table  from  HECTOR'S  paper  brings  out  this  fact :- 


— 

— 

Bulk 

Weight 

<  'iii'iniontis 

10 

244 

Ocydromus 

Non-volant 

10 

210 

StringojJS 

ji 

10 

187 

Nestor 

Volant 

10 

131 

Hieracidea 

" 

10 

126 

It  seems  clear  from  these  comparisons  that  Cnemiornis 
could  not  have  been  a  flying  bird.  Moreover  the  sternum 
has  a  keel  whose  highest  elevation  is  under  three  lines. 
This  bone  appears  to  have  possessed  no  lateral  notches,  but 
only  a  slight  median  concavity.  On  the  other  hand  the 
'  rough  tubercular  surface  '  of  the  keel  is  perhaps  a  little 
suggestive  of  a  missing  cartilaginous  piece. 

The  suggestion  of  FURBRINGER  to  separate  Cnemiornis 
into  a  sub-family,  Cnemiornithinae,  seems  perhaps,  in  the 
light  of  the  above  facts,  to  be  justifiable.  But  the  remainder 
of  the  members  of  the  family  cannot  be  divided  with  precision. 
It  is  above  all  impossible  to  divide  swans,  geese,  and  ducks 
from  each  other  into  three  such  groups.  Nevertheless,  as 
will  be  gathered  from  the  following  account  of  their  struc- 
ture, the  Anseres  vary  very  much  among  themselves — more 
especially  in  the  structure  of  the  windpipe. 

All  the  Anseres,  as  noted  in  the  definition,  have  a  tufted 
oil  gland. 

1  '  On  Cnemiornis  calcitrans,'  &c.,  P.  Z.  S.  1873,  p.  7G8,  and  1874,  p.  307. 


458         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


The  aftershaft  is  always  small,  and  sometimes  absent. 

In  the  2)terylosis  (according  to  NITZSCH)  the  pectoral  tract 

divides  about  halfway  down  the 
neck  ;  it  is  broad,  and  gives  off  on 
each  side  a  stronger  outer  band. 
The  dorsal  tract  also  divides 
about  halfway  down  the  neck,  and 
encloses  a  long  narrow  space. 

The  number  of  rectrices  in 
various  genera  is  shown  in  the 
annexed  table. 

Rectrices 

Bizinra  lobata          .         .  .  .24 

Anas  specularis        .         .  .  .14 

Aims  boschas  .         .         .  .  .14 

Aix  sponsa        ...  .16 

Erismatitra  rnbida  .         .  .  .18 

Cereopsis  Novce  Hollandics  .  .     14  ' 

Plectropterus  gambcnsis  .  .  .16 

Cygnus  musicus       .         .  .  .24 

Fuligula  rufina        .         .  .  .16 

Dafila  acuta    ...  .16 

Bernicla  canadensis         .  .     18 

Mergus  merganser   .         .  .  .18 

,,       albicillus     .  .     16 


FIG.  216. — MOUTH  OF 
Bizinra  lobata  (AFTEK 
FORBES). 

p,  pouch  :  /,  tongne  ;f.l,  fra?iium 
lingua?. 


The  tongue  is  strong  and 
bordered  with  spines.  In  Mergus 
only  is  it  thin  and  pointed. 

The  liver  has  a  large  gall 
bladder. 

Biziura  lobata  is  unique  among 
Anseres2  in  having  a  subgular  pouch  (fig.  216),  formed  by  a 
duplicature  of  the  fraenum  linguae. 

The  most  noteworthy  point  that  appears  from  the  facts 
given  on  the  next  page  is  the  gradual  reduction  of  the  caeca 
in  the  mergansers  and  smews,  and  the  great  range  of  variation 
in  size  which  they  exhibit  in  Cygnus  iiit/r/coUi.s,  a  variation 


XIT/SCH  says  16. 


-  Cf.  Glides  for  si  similar  structure. 


ANSEBES 


459 


which  does  not,  it  will  be  observed,  bear  any  relation  to  the 
variation  of  the  total  length  of  the  intestine. 

The  following  are  some  intestinal  measurements  :— 


S.I. 

L.  I. 

Case. 

Ft.   In. 

Inches 

Inches 

Mcnjiis  merc/ftnscr 

5     4 

2-25 

1-25,1-5 

,,        castor     .... 

4     8 

3 

1-8 

,,        albicillus 

4     3 

3 

•2  ' 

Biziura  lobata  . 

8     6-5 
6  11-25 

4-5 
6-5 

6-75 

7-75 

Anas  specularis          ...           5     2-5 

2-75 

5 

Bhodonessa  caryophyllacea        .           4 

— 

2-2,  1-75 

Aix  sponsa          ....            41-2 

3-5 

5 

Sarcidiornis  melanota  $    .         .           47 

3 

2-75,  3 

,,           carunculata  $                  36 

4 

3-25 

Bernicla  canadcnsis  ...            76 

— 

9 

„        jitbata  3       .         •         •  •          3     4 

3-5 

2-5,  2-75 

Chcnalopex  j  ubata     ...            4 

2-5 

3-75,4 

1         U 

— 

15 

Cygnus  nigricollis      .         .                   11     4 

— 

8 

1 

9     6 

— 

9,10 

Dendrocygna  aiit/imnalis  . 

3     6 

2-25 

3-2,  3-4 

A  i  n-K 

2 

3-5 

Mi-tojiitina  pcposaca  . 

n       -L  \J     r^f 

4     3 

5-5,  6 

Plectropterus  gainbcnsis 

6     9 

7 

6-75,  7-25 

nificr  $ 

6     1 

3 

6 

<  'iTi-ii/isis  Novce  Holland-ice        •           6 

3-5 

11-5 

Anser  albifrons  3       ...           58 

5 

7-75 

,,      indie  us  $           .         .     '    . 

5     1 

3-5 

5-5 

Cliloepliaya  ina/jcllanica  <$ 

6     8 

4 

12,13 

<  '//i/itus  olor  c?    . 

11     9 

8 

14,15 

ferns  3 

8     6 

9 

9-25 

1 

8     4 

Q 

it 

.,        buccinator  $ 

O          ^ 

8     6 

O 

7 

*/ 

7-5 

„        atratus  $       .         .         .            92 

6 

11 

Tadorna  tadornoides  %       .        .           56 

3 

3-5,  4-5 

Dafil/i  ficutaQ    ....            46 

4 

4,4-5 

Pcecilonetta  bahamensis  £          .           210 

2-5 

4,4-25 

„          bahamensis  $          .           34 

3 

3,3-3 

Qucrqitedula  circia  ? 

4 

— 

3 

Hymenolamus  malacorhynclms  % 

4 

4 

3-8,  4-25 

Spatula  clypcata  $ 

8     9 
6     6 

4 
3-5 

5 

3-5,  3-75 

Fuligula  ferina  3 

4     2 

4 

4-5 

i 

4     5 

4 

6-75 

„         rufinaS 

r±         cj 

4     2 

3-5 

6-5,  7-5 

Nyroca  leucophthalma  $    .         .           48 

1-5 

1   i  inly  one 


The  muscular  anatouy  of  the  Anseres  is  very  uniform, 
which  coincides  with  their  uniformity  of  life  habit.  Even 
presumed  aberrant  types,  such  as  Mergns,  Biziura,  and 


460 


STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


Tachyeres,  are  hardly  if  at  all  to  be  distinguished  anatomically 
from  the  typical  geese  and  ducks.  Our  knowledge  of  the 
muscular  structure  of  this  group  of  birds  is  mainly  due  to 
FUEBEINGEE,  who  has  illustrated  the  fore  half  of  the  body 
by  two  double  plates  referring  to  Anser  cinereus. 

An  interesting  duck  character  (also,  however,  found  in 
Colymbus,  Tinami,  and  some  Galli)  is  the  meeting  of  the  two 
great  pectoral  muscles  over  the  carina  sterni.  In  Mcrgus 


FIG.  217 — BICEPS  FEMOKIS  OF  DUCK  (Hi),  TO  SHOW  ITS 
RELATIONS  TO  GASTROCNEMIUS  (AFTEH  WELDOX). 

mergaiixcr,  for  example,  they  blend  for  a  space  of  half 
an  inch. 

There  is  a  biceps  slip  present,1  and  this  has  at  least 
sometimes  a  peculiar  arrangement,  which  is  remarkably  like 
that  of  the  Colymbi.  In  Anser  cinereus  FURBRINGER 
figures  the  biceps  slip  as  attached  in  the  ordinary  way  to 
the  tendon  of  the  tensor  patagii  longus  ;  but  before  it  is  thus 
attached  it  gives  off  a  slender  tendon,  which — exactly  as  in 
the  Colymbi — runs  over  the  patagium  and  is  inserted  on  to 
the  fore  arm  in  front  of  the  broad  and  diffuse  tensor  patagii 
brevis  tendon. 

In  Anas  FURBRINGER  figures  this  tendon  as  joining  the 


1  Not  in  Cygnus  Bciciclii. 


ANSEEES 


461 


patagial  fan,  a  state  of  affairs  which  is  exactly  paralleled  in 
jgZchmophorus  (see  p.  387) .  In  ducks  there  is  a  peculiarity  in 
the  biceps  to  which  attention  appears  to  have  been  first 
called  by  FURBRING-EE.  There  is  a  tendinous  sheath 
partly  covering  the  patagial  side  of  the  muscle  and  derived 


FIG.  218. — WINDPIPE  OF 
Sarcidiornis  mclanota  $ 
(AFTER  GABKOD). 


FIG.  219. — SAME  OF 
S.  melanota  9 
(AFTER  GARROD). 


OF 


FIG.  220.— SAME 
Rhodonessa  caryo- 
phyllacea  9  (AFTER 
GAEROD). 


from  the  pectoralis  primus.  A  similar  structure  occurs  in 
Colymbi  and  storks,  and  in  Casuarius  its  homologue  is  more 
independent  of  the  biceps.  The  latter  at  any  rate,  if  not 
the  former,  seems  to  me  to  correspond  to  a  peculiar  muscle 
found  in  the  tinamous  (cf.  p.  489). 

The  expansor  secundariorum  shows  some  variations.  In 
Biziura  lobata  it  is  entirely  absent.  In  Aix  sponsa  the 
tendons  thin  off  and  are  lost  on  the  interthoracic  septa.  In 
others,  as,  for  instance,  Bernicla  canadensis,  the  expanded 
tendons  end  upon  the  oesophagus  ;  on  the  wray  thither  they 


462         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF    BIRDS 


blend  with  the  sheath  of  the  carotids,  which  when  pulled 
upon  they  compress,  as  also  the  jugulars.  This  may  con- 
ceivably be  a  provision  for  increasing  the  blood  supply  of  the 
wings  by  interrupting  that  of  the  head.  Finally  in  Cijgnus. 
Mergus,  and  Sarcidiornis  the  expansor  secundariorum  is 
ciconiiform. 

The  deltoid  has  a  strong  scapular  slip.     The  an  con  (BUS 


Fiu.  221. —  SYKIXX  OF  R.  caryopliyllacea  $.     EIGHT-HAND  FIG.,  FRONT 
VIEW;  LEFT-HAND,  SIDE  VIEW.     (AFTER  GARROD.)! 

has  a  humeral  slip.  In  the  hind  limb  all  Anseres  have  the 
formula  ABX+.  The  femorocaudal  is  slender,  the  acces- 
sory very  large.  In  Biziura  lobata  the  ambiens  has  a  pecu- 
liarity found  also  in  Phalacrocorax  and  the  extinct  Hesper- 
ofnis — that  its  tendon  perforates  the  patella.  The  glutaus 
maximus  is  very  large,  and  its  origin  descends  below  the  aceta- 
bulum.  A  marked  peculiarity  of  the  Anseres,  found  else- 
where in  Struthio,  is  that  the  biceps  femoris  gives  off  a  slip 
to  the  gastrocnemius.  In  most  Anseres  the  flexor  lone/us 
liallucis  gives  off  a  slip  to  the  hallux  before  fusing  with  the 


ANSEKES 


463 


flexor  profundus  ;  in  Biziura  lobata 
the  same  slip  is  given  off,  but  it  be- 
comes lost  on  one  of  the  annular  masses 
of  fibrocartilage  surrounding  the  other 
flexors. 

The  windpipe  in  the  Anseres  is  nearly 
always  straight,  the  only  exception 
among  the  ducks  and  geese  as  yet 
recorded  being  Anseranas  melanoleuca, 
in  the  males  of  which  the  trachea  forms 
a  double  loop,  extending  to  quite  the 
end  of  the  pectoral  muscles.  A 
second  peculiarity  of  the  trachea  is 
seen  in  the  males  of  Metopiana  pepo- 
saca,  Strictonetta  ncevosa,1  Melanitta 
fusca,  Nyroca,  Mcrgus,  Somatcri-a,  and 
Clanc/i/hi.  In  these  (see  fig.  222)  there 
is  a  bulbous  enlargement  of  the  trachea 
some  little  way  in  front  of  the  syrinx. 
It  is  present,  but  very  slightly  developed, 
in  FuUgula  rufina.  In  nearly  all  the 
ducks  the  syrinx  in  the  male  has  a  re- 
markable asymmetrical  enlargement, 
which  is  as  a  rule  entirely  bony,  but  is 
sometimes  (M erg  us,  Clangula,  Nyroca, 
FuUgula)  mainly  formed  of  membrane. 
The  accompanying  figures  will  give 
some  idea  of  the  form  of  this  structure, 
which  shows  differences  in  different 
species.  The  figures  are  taken  from 
a  memoir  upon  the  subject  by  Professor 
GAREOD.2  YARRELL  3  and  EYTON4  have 

1  E.  P.  RAMSAY,  '  Note  on  the  Tracheas  of  certain 
Australian  Ducks,'  Proc.  Linn.  Soc.  N.   S.    W.  iii. 
1879,  p.  154. 

2  '  On  the  Form  of  the  Lower  Larynx  in  certain 
Species  of  Ducks,'  P.   Z.  8.  1875,  p.  151. 

3  British  Birds. 

1  Monograph  of  the  Anatidce  or  Duck 


FIG.  222. — WINDPIPE  or 
Metopiana  peposaca  $ 
(AFTER  GAREOD). 


464         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

also  figured  a  good  many  of  the  syringes  of  the  ducks  in 
illustration  of  this  matter.  The  only  ducks  in  which  there  is 
certainly  no  modification  of  the  syrinx  of  this  kind  are 
Biziiira  lobata,  (Edemia  nigra,  and  Melanitta  fusca  ;  in  the 
former  bird  FORBES  l  has  described  a  plain  syrinx  (fig.  '2'Jo) 
with  a  box  at  the  bifurcation  of  the  bronchi  formed  of  the 
last  tracheal  and  of  a  few  of  the  anterior  bronchial  semi-rings. 

He  suspects,  however,  that  the 
genus  Erismatura2  will  be  found 
to  have  a  similar  syrinx  minus  a 
lateral  outgrowth,  as  MAcGiLLi- 
VEAY  appears  to  have  described 
something  of  the  kind.  Somateria 
molUssima  has  a  very  slight  sym- 
metrical enlargement  of  the  syrinx. 
A  very  marked  characteristic  of  the 
Anseres  is  the  possession  of  two 
FIG.  223.-SYRIXX  OF  Biziura  $  •  g  of  extrinsic  tracheal  muscles. 

(AFTER  FORBES). 

In    this    they    agree    with    Pala- 

medeidas.  The  single  pair  of  intrinsic  muscles  are  as  a  rule 
attached  to  the  third  or  fourth  tracheal  ring  in  front  of 
the  syrinx  in  the  ducks. 

Among  the  Cijgnince  (swans)  there  is  frequently  a  looped 
trachea,  the  coils  being  intrasternal.  This  is  so  with  both 
sexes  of  C.  ferns,  C.  buccinator,  C.  americanus,  and  C, 
Bewicki ;  there  appears  to  be  a  trace  of  the  looping  in  C. 
atratus.  In  C.  olor,  C.  immutabilis,  C.  nigricollis,  and  C. 
coscoroba  the  windpipe  is  straight  in  both  sexes.  It  is 
interesting  to  note  that  in  C.  buccinator,  at  any  rate,  the 
intrinsic  muscles  do  not  follow  the  coils  that  bridge  across 
the  loop.  This  species  of  swan  is  also  remarkable  for  the 
extraordinary  dilatation  of  the  middle  of  each  bronchus,  which 
is,  again,  characteristic  of  both  sexes.  These  dilatations  would 

O 

be  almost  spherical  were  it  not  for  the  irregular  crumpling 

1  'A  Note  on  some  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of  an  Australian  Duck  (Biziitrn 
lobata),'  P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  455. 

2  '  There  is  no  expansion  or  tympanum,  as  in  other  ducks  '  (Orn.  Bioyr.  iv. 
1838,  p.  331). 


AXSERES  465 

here  and  there ;  their  diameter  is  about  an  inch.  The 
bronchial  rings  which  cover  them  have  largely  lost  their 
individuality,  and  form  an  irregular  network  of  partly 
cartilaginous  and  partly  osseous  bars. 

The  males  ('?  as  to  females)  of  Cijgnus  ferns  and  C. 
Bewicki  at  any  rate  show  less  marked  traces  of  the  same 
peculiarity. 

In  the  former  there  is  a  distinct  fusiform  dilatation,  but 
further  down  the  bronchi  than  in  C.  buccinator,  between 
the  rings  of  which  there  is  some  slight  formation  of 
anastomoses.  In  C.  Bewicki  both  features  are  still  less 
marked. 

Cygnus  olor,  C.  atratus,  C.  nigricollis,  and  C.  coscoroba 
have  no  trace  of  this  remarkable  structure.  I  have  examined 
males  of  all  and  females  of  two. 

As  to  the  geese,  Bernicla  canadensis,  Anser  indicus,  and 
Gereopsis  Novce  Hollandia  (and  doubtless  many  others)  have 
a  syrinx  without  the  anatine  bulbus.  It  is  present  in 
Plectropterus  (gambensis,  Ruppeli,  niger)  and  Sarcidiornis, 
and  present,  though  small  and  solid,  in  Chenalopex  jubata. 
It  is  fenestrated  in  Plectropterus,  not  so  in  Sarcidiornis. 

Dendrocijgna  appears  to  illustrate  the  commencement  of 
the  syringeal  enlargement.  In  the  male  of  D.  arcuata  the 
last  twelve  tracheal  rings  are  widened  and  enclose  a  spacious 
chamber  about  twice  the  diameter  of  the  rest  of  the  trachea. 
The  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  to  the  beginning  of  this 
thin-walled  box.  In  the  female  there  is  an  indication  of 
this  in  the  fact  that  eleven  of  the  tracheal  rings  in  front  of 
the  last  three  are  imperfect  posteriorly,  being  closed  by 
membrane.  The  intrinsic  muscles  also  are  attached  opposite 
to  the  commencement  of  this  modified  region  of  the  trachea. 

In  D.  autumnalis  there  is  the  same  box,  which  is 
strengthened  posteriorly  by  a  strong  bony  bar.  The  wind- 
pipe of  the  female  has  no  such  modification  as  has  been 
described  above  in  D.  arcuata. 

It  is  possible  that  this  single  enlargement  in  Dendrocijgna 
is  the  beginning  of  both  the  tracheal  swelling  and  the 
syringeal  bulbus  in  Mergus,  &c. 

H  H 


466         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF    BIRDS 

The  number  of  cervical  vertebra  1  among  the  Anseres  varies 
considerably.  The  smallest  number  is  found,  for  example, 
in  Plcctropterns  gambcnsis,  Biziura  lobata,  and  Taclujcrcs 
cinercns,  where  there  are  only  sixteen.  In  (Edemia  niyra 
there  are  seventeen  ;  among  the  swans,  twenty  to  twenty- 
four.  The  number  of  true  ribs  also  varies  considerably. 
The  smallest  number  is  to  be  seen  in  Cereopsis,  where  there 
are  but  five.  Tacliyeres,  Plectropterus,  and  a  number  of 
other  genera  have  seven;  there  are  eight  in  Tadorna  vulp- 
ii user,  and  as  many  as  nine  in  certain  swans  and  geese. 

The  sternum^  which  has  a  moderate  spina  externa,  but 
no  spina  interna,  is  whole  in  Cncmiornis,  but  has  two 
notches  or  foramina  in  other  Anseres.  The  coracoids  come 
into  contact,  but  do  not  overlap  at  their  sternal  articulation. 
The  procoracoid  is  small,  and  does  not  reach  the  clavicle, 
which,  however,  reaches  the  scapula. 

The  skull  has  large  oval  sessile  basipterygoid  processes. 
It  is  holorhinal  and  desmognathous.  There  are  frequently 
lateral  occipital  fontanelles,  as  in  many  '  pluvialine  '  birds.2 
The  palatines  are  remarkable  for  the  rudimentary  character 
of  their  inner  laminae,  which  brings  about  a  resemblance  to 
the  gallinaceous  birds,  as  has  been  pointed  out  by  HUXLEY, 
and,  it  may  be  added,  to  the  parrots.  That  part  of  the 
palatine  is  only  indicated  by  a  not  well  marked  ridge  which 
is  totally  absent  in  Bernicla  leucopsis,  Chen  ccerulescens. 
The  general  direction  of  the  bone,  therefore,  is  oblique  ;  it  is 
only  near  to  the  attachment  with  the  pterygoids  that  it 
becomes  feathered  out  in  a  horizontal  direction.  That,  at 
least,  is  the  more  normal  arrangement ;  for  in  Mergus  the 
greater  part  of  the  bone  has  its  upper  and  lower  surface  co- 
incident with  the  horizontal  axis.  This,  too,  is  the  case  with 
Biziura  lobata. 

The  oval  basipterygoid  facets  for  articulation  with  the 

1  For  osteology  see  PAKKEH,  '  On  the  Morphology  of  the  Duck  and  the  Auk 
Tribes,'  C unnincjhdm  Memoirs  B.  Irish  Ac.  No.  6, 1890,  and  SHUFELDT,  '  On  N. 
American  Anseres,'  P.  U.  ,S.  Nat.  Mus.  xi.  p.  215. 

-  Absent  in  Cereopsis,  Biziura,  Cygnus,  and  Cncmiornis.  See  OWEN,  Tr.  Z. 
S.  ix.  pt  iii. 


ANSERES 


467 


pterygoids  are  placed  so  far  forwards  that  the  anterior  ends 
of  those  bones  articulate  with  them. 


F> 


Pax 


, 


l-'iii.  2'24. — SKULL  OF  Quo'^it^iliiln  crecca.     LATEKAL  VIEW. 

(AFTEI;  HUXLEY.) 
/•'.••.  frontal  :  Set,  nasal  :  I'm.i;  i>renia.\illa  :    I'n.  voiuer  :  l'«.  palatine:  I't.  i>ter\ -^niii. 

The  vomer  is  a  thin  deepish  plate  of  bone  which  is  more 
or  less  intimately  connected  with  the 
median  septum  and  maxillo-palatines  in 
front.  The  maxillo-palatines  are  com- 
pletely fused  across  the  middle  line  in 
many  Anseres  (e.g.  Clicn,  Hijin,'iin],nnus}  ; 
in  Biziura  and  Neryus  they  come  into 
contact  but  are  not  fused.  The  latter 
has  very  un-ducklike  palatine  in  that  the 
somewhat  delicate  maxillo-palatines  diverge 
from  each  other  after  their  junction  pos- 
teriorly as  well  as  anteriorly,  the  palatine 
vacuity  in  front  being  (for  a  duck)  un- 
usually extensive.  In  CJtcii  <'a'ritl.<'sc<'iix, 
indeed,  secondary  bony  growths  have 
almost  completely  obliterated  this  vacuity, 
a  kind  of  '  false  '  palate  having  been 
formed. 

The  lacrymal  bones  are  large,  having 
a  considerable  length  of  line  of  union  with 
the  skull ;  they  are  sometimes  (e.g.  Chloe- 
•pliaya)  and  sometimes  not  (e.g.  Mertjux} 
ankylosed  with  the  orbital  margin.  Cere- 
opsis  has  (among  the  genera  which  I  have  examined)  a  skull 

H   II    1? 


Fin.     225. — VENTRAL 
VIEW      OF      SAME. 

M.i'fi.  inaxilln-iiiiLitiiies. 
Other  IrtUTsasiuti^.  -'-'4. 


468 


STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


which  is  peculiar  in  that  posteriorly  the  lacrymal  is  free 
from  the  orbital  wall,  but  is  fused  with  a  process  of  the 
frontal  at  the  anterior  end  of  the  supra-orbital  impression, 
leaving  (as  in  Cliionis  and  some  other  birds)  a  foramen.1  In 
Cereopsis  the  descending  process  of  the  lacrymal  curves  back- 
wards and  comes  near  to  the  zygoma ;  2  the  junction  is 
completely  effected,  and  there  is  ankylosis,  in  Denclrocygna. 

The  ectethmoids  of  the  Anseres  are  often  largely  deficient 
as  ossifications ;  when  present  they  are  thin-walled  bubble- 
like  structures,  coming  into  relation  with  the  lacrymals. 
The  interorbital  septum  is  generally  very  complete  ;  but  it 
is  largely  vacuolate  in  Mergus  and  Eiziura. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  cervical 
vertebra  and  the  condition  of  the  hsemapophyses  and 
catapophyses  in  a  series  of  anserine  birds  :- 


— 

C.  V. 

f 

Hyp- 

Cat.  nearly 
unite 

Posterior 
C'atapoph. 

Plectropterus  gambensis 
Metopiana  peposaca    . 
Sarcidtoniix  carunculata 

16 
17 
16 

C13-D3 
C14-D5 
C13-D4 

C12,  13 
C12,  13 
Cll,   12 

C16-D1 
C17-D3 
C15-D2 

Hymenolamns     . 

16 

C13-D4 

Oil,  12 

C15-D2 

Tacliyeres  cuicrcns 

16 

C13-D5 

Cll,  12' 

C15-D3 

(Edeinid  iin/ra    . 

16 

C12-D5 

CIO,  11 

C15-D3 

Biziura  lobatu    . 

16 

C13-D5 

Cll,  12 

C15-D3 

Dendroci/t/ini  antnmnalis 

17 

C13-D3 

Cll,  12 

C16-D1 

Bernicla  brvnta  . 

19 

C15-D4 

C12-14 

CIS,  19  - 

1   Fused  to  form  a  solid  bitid  '  hffimapopliysis,'  as  iu  some  other  birds. 
'-  They  are  rudimentary  and  do  not  mount  upon  the  hypapophysis. 

As  a  possible  appendix  to  the  Anseres  must  be  mentioned 
three  or  four  species  of  an  extinct  genus  of  birds,  Gastornix, 
flightless  and  larger  than  an  ostrich.  It  has  been  found 
only  in  Europe  and  from  Eocene  beds.  It  is  placed  among 
the  '  ratites  '  by  LYDEKKEB  and  some  others  ;  this  is  largely 
on  account  of  the  coracoid,  which  is  imperfect  above,  and 
appeared  to  LEMOINE  and  others  as  probably  '  platycora- 
coidal.'  FURBBINGEE,  however,  considers  that  the  tuberosity 

1  This  is  figured  by  OWEN  in  his  paper  on  Cnemiornis,  Tr.  Z.  S.  ix.  pi.  35, 
fig.  8. 

2  Sometimes  joining.     Cf.  OWEN,  loc.  cit.  pi.  35,  fig.  6. 


ANSKUES  469 

described  by  the  latter  as  '  tuberosite  pregleno'idienne  '  is 
really  the  broken  end  of  the  scapula,  which  would  be  thus, 
as  in  Didus,  ankylosed  with  the  coracoid,  and  would  also 
form  with  it  an  angle  approaching  to  a  right  angle.  The 
supposed  remains  of  the  scapula,  on  the  other  hand,  are  for 
FtiRBRiNGER  the  acrocoracoid.  On  this  interpretation  the 
shoulder  girdle  of  Gastornis  would  be  a  nearly  typical 
carinate  shoulder  girdle.  The  length  and  slenderness 
of  the  coracoid  too  is  not  a  ratite  character,  but  it  does 
ally  Gastornis  with  Cnemiornis  (and  also  for  that  matter 
with  Pliororliacos).  In  spite  of  the  freedom  of  the  meta- 
carpals  (a  character  only  known  elsewhere  in  Archceo- 
pteryx),  the  complete  furcula  and  various  points  in  the  bones 
of  the  lower  limb,  pointed  out  by  NEWTON,  together  with 
the  facts  already  referred  to,  seem  to  point  to  a  greater  like- 
ness to  Cnemiornis  than  to  any  other  known  type.  The 
skull  had  basipterygoid  processes  and  seemingly  teeth  in 
sockets.  The  pygostyle  appears  to  have  been  at  most  very 
small  and  probably  absent. 

ICHTHYORNITHES 

Definition. — Small  toothed  birds  with,  carinate  shoulder  girdle  and 
sternum.  Bones  of  pelvis  not  united.  Quadrate  single-headed. 
Vertebrae  amphicoelous. 

This  group  of  birds,  from  the  Cretaceous  of  North 
America,  has  been  investigated  by  MARSH,  who,  in  his  great 
work  upon  the  toothed  birds,  placed  it  in  a  group  Odonto- 
tormse,  as  opposed  to  Odontolcae  (Hesperornis),  on  account  of 
the  fact  that  the  teeth  are  implanted  each  in  a  distinct 
socket.  Its  relationship  to  other  groups  is  doubtful  ;  but  it 
is  probably  not  greatly  misplaced  if  we  consider  it  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  stork  and  plover  tribe,  as  has  been  done 
by  FURBRINGER.  The  group  contains  two  genera — Iclitliy- 
ornis  and  Apatornis.  Of  the  former  MARSH  refers  to  several 
species,  viz.  I.  dispar,  I.  victor,  I.  validus,  I.  tener,  I.  agilis, 
and  I.  anceps. 

Of  Apatornis  there  is  but  one  species  known,  A.  celer. 


470         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

These  two  genera  comprise  a  number  of  '  small  birds, 
scarcely  larger  than  a  pigeon.  In  their  powerful  wings  and 
small  legs  and  feet  they  remind  one  of  the  terns,  and  accord- 
ing to  present  evidence  they  were  aquatic  birds  of  similar 
life  and  habits.' 

The  restoration  of  Ichthyornis  given  by  MAESH  has 
been  extensively  copied  in  various  works,  in  some  of  which 
it  would  appear  as  if  our  knowledge  of  the  osteology  of  the 
species  selected  were  greater  than  is  really  the  case.  It  has 
been  made,  for  example,  to  show  schizorhinal  nostrils  and  a 
pelvis  constructed  after  the  carinate  type,  with  the  ischia  and 
ilia  fused.  It  is  not  known  wThether  the  skull  was  schizo- 
rhinal, as  only  the  calvarium  and  the  lower  jaw  and  a 
fragment  of  the  upper  jaw  have  been  discovered.  The  skull 
has  well-marked  grooves  for  the  supra-orbital  glands  ;  the 
quadrate,  as  stated  in  the  definition,  is  single-headed,  as  in 
Hespcroriiis  and  many  Struthiones.  The  brain,  like  that  of 
Hesperoniis,  is  small,  and  the  cerebellum  is  remarkably 
large  as  compared  with  the  hemispheres.  The  teeth  of  Ichthy- 
ornis are  implanted  in  distinct  sockets. 

MARSH  has  remarked  upon  the  close  resemblance  between 
the  lower  jaw,  with  its  teeth,  and  that  of  the  smaller  mosa- 
sauroid  reptiles.  In  Ichthyornis  dis'par  there  are  twenty- 
one  distinct  sockets  in  each  ramus  of  the  jaw.  I.  victor  had 
the  same  number  of  teeth  ;  in  I.  anceps  the  teeth  were  more 
numerous,  and  at  the  same  time  more  slender.  The  jaws 
were  united,  as  in  Hesperornis,  by  cartilage  or  ligament. 

The  vertebra,  as  already  mentioned,  are  amphiccelous  ; 
but  an  approach  to  the  typical  saddle-shaped  vertebrae  is 
seen  in  some  of  them.  The  atlas  is  notched  for  the  odontoid 
process  of  the  axis.  None  of  the  dorsal  vertebra?  appear  to 
have  coalesced,  and  there  is  a  pygostyle  quite  typical  in  form, 
but  rather  small.  The  shoulder  girdle  of  both  Ichthijornis 
and  A'patornis  is  constructed  upon  the  carinate  plan.1  There 
is  the  same  angle  between  the  scapula  and  the  coracoid,  and 
the  clavicles  are  well  developed.  There  are,  however,  differ- 

1  SHOFELDT  ('  Notes  on  the  Extinct  Bird  Iclitliyornis,''  J.  Anat.  Phys.  xxvii. 
p.  336)  especially  compares  Iclitliyornis  with  Ehyncliops  and  Sterna. 


ICIITHYORXITHES  471 

ences  in  detail.  In  Apatornis  there  is  a  very  long  acromial 
process.  The  coracoids  overlap  at  their  articulation  with  the 
sternum,  more  so  in  Iclitliijornis  than  in  Apatornis.  The 
clavicles  are  generally  figured  as  typically  carinate  ;  hut  the 
only  part  of  this  bone  known  is  '  a  fragment  from  the  upper 
end  of  that  bone  in  Apatornis.'  The  sternum  is  deeply 
keeled. 

The  bones  of  the  fore  limb  are  well  developed ;  the 
humerus  has  a  very  large  crest,  surpassing  in  comparative 
size  that  of  any  recent  bird  ;  this  clearly  indicates  a  powerful 
flyer,  and  the  rest  of  the  bones  of  the  limb  bear  out  this  view. 
Though  nothing  is  known  of  the  structure  of  the  feathers, 
there  are  upon  the  ulna  impressions  for  the  quill  feathers. 

In  the  pelvis  all  the  bones  are  free  posteriorly,  as  in  Hes- 
perornis,  Apteryx,  &c.  The  acetabulum  is  perforate,  as  in 
most  recent  birds  ;  but  the  perforation  is  of  moderate  size,  as 
in  the  tinamous. 

In  the  neighbourhood  of  Ichthyornis  are  possibly  to  be 
placed  MARSH'S  genera  Baptornis,  Telmatornis,  and  SEELEY'S 
Enaliorms.  These  birds,  however,  Cretaceous,  like  Hesper- 
or nix  and  Ichthyornis,  are  known  by  such  limited  material 
that  their  position  is  absolutely  uncertain. 

The  affinities  of  Ichthyornis  to  Hesperornis  have  been 
dwelt  upon  by  some ;  but  it  appears  that  LYDEKKEE'S 
remark,  that  '  the  Odontornithes  are  a  series  of  birds  ances- 
tral to  the  modern  series  of  toothless  carinates,'  expresses  the 
truth.  He  has  furthermore  added  that  this  series  '  differs 
from  the  Euornithes  (STEJNEGER'S  name  for  carinates)  by  the 
absence  of  union  between  the  rami  of  the  mandible  and 
between  the  distal  ends  of  the  ischium  and  ilium,'  likenesses 
which  do  not  mean  a  near  relationship,  but  express  the 
degree  of  development  of  bird  structure  at  that  period. 


472         STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


ACCIPITRES 

Definition. — Aquincubital.  Oil  gland  present.  Two  carotids.  Skull 
desmognathous  and  holorhinal.  Caeca  rudimentary  or  absent. 
Ambiens  present.  Biceps  slip  absent. 

This  large  group  of  birds  admits  of  but  a  scanty  defini- 
tion, if  we  are  to  include  in  it,  as  is  here  done,  the  secretary 
bird  and  the  American  vultures ;  for  it  then  shows  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  structural  variation.  The  oil  gland, 


Anc 


FIG.  226. — TENSOKES  PATAGII  OF  Polyboroides  (AFTER  BEDDAED). 
t.p.l,  tensor  patagii  longus  ;  t.p.br,  tensor  brevis  ;  Anc,  ancoujeus  ;  D,  deltoid. 

invariably  present,  is  generally  feathered,  but  nude  in  the 
Cathartidse.  In  Serpentarius  this  gland  varies  in  size ;  in 
one  specimen  it  was  found  to  be  very  small  and  to  have  a 
very  minute  tuft. 

The  after  shaft  is  absent  in  the  Cathartidse  and  in  Pandion, 
present  in  other  Accipitres.     Twelve  rectrices  is  the  usual 


ACC1PITEES  473 

number,  but  fourteen  occur  in  Neophron  percnopterus  and 
Rhinogryphus  'calif ornianus. 

There  are  powder-down  patches  in  Eton  us,  Circus,  and 
Gypaetus.  The  ptcryloxis  is  described  for  a  variety  of  types 
by  NITZSCH. 

The  ventral  tract  broadens  out  on  the  breast,  where 
it  is  even  sometimes  (Gyps  fulvus)  divided  into  an  outer 
and  inner  branch.  The  dorsal  tract  forks  upon  the 
shoulders  ;  in  Gi/paetus  barbatus  each  limb  of  the  fork  is 
connected  by  a  single  row  of  feathers  with  the  long  single 
median  posterior  portion  of  the  tract. 

In  Periiis  apivorus  these  latter  slender  forks  are  figured  as 
being  much  longer,  and  in  Falco  peregrinus  they  dilate  into 
four  or  five  rows  of  feathers  before  uniting.  In  Falco 
brachypterus  there  is  the  usual  dorsal  fork,  but  between  its 
extremities  lies  the  beginning  of  the  very  broad  posterior 
part  of  the  tract.  In  all  these  birds  there  are  lateral  neck 
spaces.  The  lumbar  tract  is  but  little  marked,  or  is  entirely 
deficient.  A  large  amount  of  detail  is  given  in  NITZSCH'S 
account  of  this  family,  which  is  treated  more  fully  than  many 
others. 

The  tensor  patag ii  brevis  is  simple  in  all  accipitrines,  and 
there  is  never  a  biceps  slip.  There  is,  however,  a  certain 
amount  of  variation  in  the  tendon.  The  simplest  form  of 
the  tendon  is  seen  in 


Vultur  monachus 
auricnlaris 


Falco  melanogenys 
subbuteo 


Gyps  fulvus  ,,      cesalon 

Tinnunculus  alaudarius  Thrasaetus  harpyia 

Microhierax  ccerulescens 

where  it  is  a  simple  tendon  without  branches,  as  in  many 
picarian  birds.     On  the  other  hand  in 

Buteo  vulgaris  tipilornis  bacha 


Circus  nut  it  r us 
,,       Gouldi 
Helotarsus  ecaudatus 


,,         cheela 
Neophron  percnopterus 

Nil  Dago  chima-ck  i  ma 


474         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

Milvago  cli  inut  ngo  Melierax  polijzon  us 

Gypactus  barbatns  Pohjborus  brasiliensis 

DryotriorcJiis  xpcctabilis  Polyboroides  typicus 

Aquila  impcrialis  Haliaetus  albicilht 

Loplwae  tics  occipitalis  Milvus  ictinus 

Melierax  monograminicus  Astur  approximans 

a  wristward  branch  (as  shown  in  fig.  226)  is  given  off,  the 
tendon,  in  fact,  bifurcating.  FUBBRINGER,  however,  while 
figuring  the  two  types,  distinguishes  in  the  apparently  single 
tendon  of  Tinnunculus  two  separate  tendons  in  close  contact 
for  their  entire  length. 

A  further  complication  is  seen  in  Gijpaetus  and  Gypo- 
hierax,1  where  a  small  recurrent  tendon  (patagial  fan)  joins 
the  anterior  branch  of  the  bre.vis  with  the  long  us,  a  state  of 
affairs  found  to  characterise  Serpentarius,  as  will  be  pointed 
out  later. 

The  expansor  secundariorum  -  is  present  in  Milvago  chi- 
mango,  Harpijhaliaetus  coronatus,  Falco,  Pohjborus,  Tinnun- 
culus, and  Microhierax  coerulescens  ;  in  others  it  is  absent. 

The  anconccus  arises  in  Polyboroides  and  in  some  other 
types  by  a  single  head  from  the  scapula,  which  is  partly 
fleshy  and  partly  tendinous.  In  Vultur  aurieularis,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  muscle  arises  by  two  completely  tendinous 
heads,  so  that  the  muscle  has  not  that  value  in  the  classi- 
fication of  the  Accipitres  that  I  at  one  time  thought.3  In  all 


1  In  GiTiinaiii'titx  melanoleucus,  which  has,  as  have  all  the  last-mentioned 
genera,  a  bifurcate  tendon  of  the  brcvis,  a  small  muscular  belly  ending  in  a 
tendon  which  becomes  lost  upon  the  patagium  arose  on  the  right  side,  in  a 
specimen  which  I  dissected,  from  the  extensor  muscle  near  to  the  end  of  the 
anterior  branch  of  the  brevis  tendon.  I  am  uncertain  of  the  exact  homology  of 
this  structure  in  Geranoaetns. 

-  For  muscular  anatomy,  &c.,  of  Accipitres  see  GIEBEL,  '  Bemerkungen  iiber 
Cathartcs  aura,'  etc.,  Zeitschr.  /.  d.  fjcs.  Natww.  ix.  (1857),  p.  420  ;  '  Zur 
Anatomie  von  Yultiir  fulvus?  ibid.  xxi.  (1863),  p.  131;  'Zur  Anatomie  des 
Lammergeiers,'  ibid,  xxviii.  (1866),  p.  149  ;  S.  HAUGHTON,  '  On  the  Comparative 
Myology  of  certain  Birds,'  P.  R.  Irish  Ac.  ix.  (1867),  p.  524  (crane  and  goose 
as  well  as  hawks).  He  deals  with  weight  only.  E.  NEAXDEK,  Undersukningar 
af  Muxlt-iihititrcn  hos  sliigtet  Buteo,  Lund,  1875  ;  MILNE-EDWABDS  in  Rccliercfas 
Anatomiques,  d-c.,  des  Oiscaux  Fossilcs  dc  la  France,  Paris,  1867. 

'•'  '  On  certain  Points  in  the  Anatomy  of   the  Accipitres,'  I'.   Z.   S.   1889,. 
p.  81. 


ACCIPITEES  47--. 

there  appears  to  be  an  accessory  tendinous  origin  from  the 
humerus.  The  pectoral/*  />ri»nix  is  commonly  divisible 
into  two  layers,  but  not  in  Milvago  and  Dryotriorchis. 

The  deep  flexor  tendons  of  the  foot  belong  in  the 
majority  of  species  to  type  described  above  on  p.  101.  But 
there  area  few  variations  of  the  typical  arrangement.  In  Astnr 
tibialis  the  slip  to  digit  II.  is  present,  but  it  is  very  small. 
In  Baza,  on  the  other  hand,  the  vinculum  is  alone  present, 
there  being  no  special  slip  to  the  tendon  supplying  digit  II. 

In  Dryotriorchis  spectabilis,  Vidtur  auricular  is,  and 
Milvus  ictimis,  the  fibres  of  the  vinculum  are  perfectly 
continuous  with  the  slip  to  digit  II.,  and  form  with  it  one 
single  band  of  connection. 

Both  peroneal  muscles  appear  to  be  present  in  the 
Accipitres. 

All  genera  have  the  ambiens  and  the  femorocaudal.  In 
Falco  and  Circus  maurus  there  is  also  a  slender  semi- 
tendinosus.1  Glutceiis  I.  is  generally  absent,  glutens  V. 
commonly  but  not  always  present. 

The  syrinx  of  the  Accipitres  is  of  the  ordinary  tracheo- 
bronchial  form. 

In  Falco  peregrinus  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  inserted  on 
to  a  transversely  elongate  fibro-cartilaginous  bar  which  runs 
across  the  interannular  membrane  of  bronchial  semi-rings 
1  and  2.  This  membrane  is  very  wide,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring  is  much  arched,  the  con- 
cavity being  downwards,  while  the  second  semi-ring  is  equally 
arched,  but  the  concavity  is  upwards.  None  of  the  tracheal 
rings  are  fused,  and  the  last  gives  rise  to  a  pessulus.  F. 
caiidicans,F.  lanarius,  F.biarmicus,  F.  Feldeggi,  F.asalon, 
F.  sacer  are  perfectly  similar,  and  the  bronchidesmus  (in  those 
specimens  in  which  it  had  been  preserved)  is  complete. 

Much  like  the  syrinx  of  Falco  is  that  of  Hieracidea 
berigora  ;  I  can,  indeed,  detect  no  differences.  So  too 
Tinnunculiis  alaudarius  and  Erythropus  vespertinus.  In 


1  FORBES  in  a  MS.  note  records  what  I  call  '  semitendinosus'  in 
ccerulesccns  as  a  product  of  the  division  of  the  semimembranosus  on  account 
of  its  origin  from  ischium  and  pubis. 


476         STEUCTUIIE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BI1{J)S 

Milvago  cliimanr/o  and  M.  cliima-cliima  the  syrinx  is  at  first 
sight  perfectly  similar,  but  the  intrinsic  muscles  only  just 
get  beyond  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring.  In  Hcrjjctotheres 
cachinnans  this  divergence  from  the  normal  falconine 
syrinx  is  carried  still  further,  the  intrinsic  muscle  being 
attached  to  the  first  semi-ring. 

The  syrinx  of  Polybonis  brasiliensis  is  an  exaggeration  of 
the  falconine  type.  The  first  and  second  bronchial  semi-rings 
are  very  prominent  and  wide  apart,  thus  leaving  a  very 
spacious  interannular  membrane,  to  which  the  intrinsic 
muscles  are  attached.  The  last  few  tracheal  rings  are  fused 
mesially  in  front  and  behind.  The  remaining  forms,  so  far 
as  I  have  studied  them  (comprising  the  genera  Melierax, 
Nisaetus,  Gypaetus,  Thrasaetus,  Buteo,  Milvus,  Spizaetux, 
Urubitinga,  Haliaetus,  Vnltur,  Spilornis,  Morphnus,  Helo- 
tarsus,  Leucopternis,  Circus,  Aquila,  Circaetus,  Gyps,  Archi- 
buteo,  Geranoaetus,  and  Asturina),  differ  from  each  other 
in  details — such  as  the  completeness  or  incompleteness  of 
the  bronchidesmus,  the  degree  of  ossification  of  the  rings 
and  semi-rings,  the  number  of  the  last  tracheal  rings  which 
are  fused,  and  the  attachment  of  the  intrinsic  muscles 
(semi-rings  1,  2,  or  3) — but  they  agree  to  differ  from  the 
falcons  in  the  absence  of  a  pronounced  oval  gap  between 
the  first  and  second  bronchial  semi-rings,  which  gives  to 
the  syrinx  of  the  falcons  so  characteristic  an  appearance. 

The  lobes  of  the  liver  are  subequal,  and  a  gall  bladder 
is  present.  The  cseca  of  the  Falconidse  are  minute. 

Haliaetus  albicilla  is  a  fish-eating  bird,  and  for  some 
reason  birds  with  such  habits  are  furnished  with  a  long  in- 
testine, as  will  be  seen  from  the  measurements  in  the  table 
on  p.  477.  The  duodenal  loop  in  this  bird,  exceptionally, 
is  thrown  into  a  series  of  subsidiary  loops,  a  state  of  affairs 
which,  as  it  occurs  in  the  remote  penguin,  may  have  some 
relation  to  habits  and  may  not  be  a  character  upon  which 
stress  is  to  be  laid.  The  greater  part  of  the  intestine  pre- 
serves the  simple  archaic  form  of  a  number  of  irregular 
coils  ;  but  near  to  the  caeca  are  two  spirally  twisted,  elongated 
loops.  In  other  Accipitres  it  is  more  usual  for  the  upper 


ACCIPITRES 


477 


loops  to  be  long  and  twisted,  a  circumstance  which  recalls 

the  structure  of  the  loops  in  the  stork  (see  fig.  208,  p.  437). 

The  following  are  a  few  intestinal  measurements  : — 


— 

Ft.  In. 

Inches 

Inches 

Scrpi'iituriufi  n'{ifilironis  3 

6     6 

3 

•15 

)>                            it             6 

7     9 

4-5 

•25 

v                                   »                0 

C»     8-5 

3 

•25 

9 

7     (i 

4-5 

•25 

(rii/iagiis  papa  $ 

5 

"l 

)j           ji       • 

4 

10 

Catliartca  atmtits 

4 

1 

Poli/borus  brasilicnsis  $ 

5     3 

3 

•5 

Spizaetus  coronatus  Q 

3 

4 

•12 

,,         caligatus  $ 

2     (3 

1-25 

•12 

Fulco  biannicus1^ 

2     3 

2 

•15 

M  ileus  ictinus  9 

3   11 

2 

•12 

Circus  Gouldi  9 

4     7-75 

2 

•15 

„       ccruginosus     . 

3     8-5 

2-75 

•25 

Haliactus  albicillu  , 

11 

2 

•25 

„          vocifer  $     . 

8     7 

2-5 

•15 

Aqniln  n/Tvioides  9    • 

4     4 

2 

•09 

The  sJi'itll  of  the  Falconidse  is  described  and  figured  by 
HUXLEY, J  PARKER,2  and  SHUFELDT.S  The  palate  is  described 
as  desmognathous ;  but  it  is  always  the  case  that  a  large' 
portion  of  the  maxillo-palatines — the  posterior  region — are 
not  in  contact.  In  two  skulls  of  Lophoaetus  occipitalis  the 
palatal  surfaces  of  the  bones  were  nowhere  in  contact,  and 
were  only  in  contact  for  a  minute  space  in  a  skull  of  Vultur 
calms.  Neither  is  Elanus  desmognathous,  according  to 
SHUFELDT.  The  maxillo-palatines  are  large  and  swollen. 
The  vonier  is  long  and  knifeblade-shaped  ; 4  there  is  often  a 
medio-palatine,  for  instance  in  Haliaetus  albicilla,  where  it  is 
embraced  by  the  bifurcate  posterior  extremity  of  the  vomer. 
The  lacrymal  is  large  and  has  a  separate  ossification,  the  so- 
called  infraorbital,  attached  to  its  posterior  extremity  in  many 

1  In  P.  Z.  S.  1867.  -  Linn.  Trans.  (2)  i. 

3  '  Some  Comparative  Osteological  Notes  on  the  N.  American  Kites,'  Ibis, 
1891,  p.  228:  'Osteology  of  Circus  hudsonianus,'  J.  Comp.  Mcd.  1889. 

1  It  has  been  found  to  be  bifid  in  front,  after  the  charadriiform  plan,  in  youn<>- 
of  Tinnunculus  (cf.  SUSCHKIN,  '  Zur  Anat.  u.  Entwicklungsgesch.  d.  Schaclel  d. 
Eaubvogeln,'  Anat.  Anz.  xi.  p.  767). 


478         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


hawks,  for  example  in  HaUactus  alb i cilia,  LopJioaetus  occipi- 
talis,  Circus  Goitldi,  Asturina  Natteri,  Astur  Nova  Hol- 
Idinliit",  in  others,  such  as  Herpetotheres  cacJtinnans,  Vultiir 
calvux,  the  large  size  of  the  lacrymal  suggests  that  such  a 
bone  is  present,  but  ankylosed  with  the  lacrymal.  The  bony 
nostrils  of  the  Falconidae  are  holorhinal,  sometimes  (e.g. 
Herpetotheres  each  in /nuts)  reduced  in  extent  by  alinasal 
ossifications  ;  the  long  septum  between  them  is  more  or  less 
perfect.  The  number  of  cervical  vertebrae,  ribs,  hsemapophyses, 
and  uncinate  processes  of  a  few  types  is  shown  in  the  fol- 
lowing table  :— 


Oerv. 

Ribs 

Hiemario- 

T7nninate 

Vert. 

pliyses 

Pri.»:i  

HerjH-fi  if  lieres  cacliiunaus 

13 

(s)    r  +  r'  +  6 

C10-D3 

On  3-7 

Dri/utriorchis  spectabilis 

14 

(>S)    r  +  r'+5  +  r 

C10-D2 

3-6 

Circus  Gonldi    . 

14 

(9)     v  +  v'+7 

C10-D4 

3-8 

Asturina  Natteri 

14 

(9)    r  +  v'  +  6  +  r 

C10-D4 

3-8 

Airl  [>iter  nisiis  . 

14 

(10)  r  +  v'  +  7  +  v' 

C11-D3 

4-s 

Astur  Novic  HollandicB 

14 

(9)    r  +  8 

C10-D4 

3-8 

LoplicxH'tiifi  occi/'ifn/ix 

14 

(9)    v  +  V  +  6  +  r 

C10-D4 

3-8 

Melicra.i-  monogrammicus 

13 

(9)    v  +  r'  +  6  +  v 

C10-D4 

3-8 

The  sternum  is  whole  or  with  one  pair  of  foramina,  some- 
times notches,  and  often  only  developed  on  one  side.  The 
coracoids  slightly  overlap  in  Dryotriorchis,  Herpetotheres, 
and  Melierax  ;  they  do  not  quite  meet  in  Accipiter,  Lopho- 


Pandion  is  undoubtedly  an  aberrant  genus,  which  is  by 
several  (c.r/.  GADOW)  made  the  type  of  a  separate  family,  and 
is  thought  by  some  to  lead  towards  the  owls.  It  differs  from 
other  falcons  in  having  no  aftershaft,  in  its  somewhat 
peculiar  tensores  patagii  and  deep  plantar  tendons. 

The  tensor  patagii,  brevis  has  the  additional  '  aquiline  ' 
wrist  ward  slip,  from  the  middle  of  which  rises  a  short 
recurrent  slip  which  joins  the  insertion  of  the  main  tendon. 
The  tendon  of  the  biceps  muscle  is  split  for  nearly  its  whole 
length. 

The  deep  plantar  tendons  are  not  accipitrine  ;  they  blend 
completely,  as  in  owls,  hornbills,  &c.,  the  area  of  fusion  being 
ossified. 


ACCIl'ITKES  479 

The  syrinx  is  not  remarkable  in  form.  Anteriorly  the 
last  three  tracheals  are  fused  medianly  ;  posteriorly  the  fusion 
is  more  extensive,  and  includes  the  first  bronchial  semi-ring. 
The  second  bronchial  semi-ring  is  in  front  close  to  the  first ; 
behind  it  is  united  with  the  third,  upon  which  latter  are 
inserted  the  intrinsic  muscles. 

The  skull  is  accipitrine  and  not  strigine.  The  descending 
process  of  the  lacrymals,  however,  is  firmly  and  entirely 
blended  with  the  ectethmoid,  but  the  former  bone  has  no 
backwardly  projecting  frontal  portion,  let  alone  a  separate 
ossification  at  the  end  of  it,  such  as  is  met  with  in  some 
Accipitres.  The  vomer  is  long  and  ends  in  front  in  an  olive- 
shaped  swelling  which  fits  in  between,  but  is  not  attached 
to  the  diverging  limbs  of  the  anteriorly  fused  maxillo- 
palatines.  • 

The  ring  of  the  atlas  is  incomplete  in  the  middle  line  above  ; 
there  are  fifteen  cervical  vertebne.  The  haemapophyses  are 
very  feeble  on  the  earlier  cervical  vertebrae  ;  they  commence 
on  CIO,  where  they  are  double  ;  they  are  strong  over  the  last 
cervical  and  the  first  three  dorsals,  where  they  end.  Six 
ribs  reach  the  sternum,  of  which  the  first  four  have  uncinate 
processes.  Both  the  tibio-tarsus  and  the  tarso-metatarsus 
have  a  bony  bridge  for  tendons  ;  the  latter  has  one  behind 
as  well  as  in  front. 

This  bird  possesses  a  scapula  accessoria  in  the  glenoid 
capsule,  the  significance  of  which  as  a  point  of  affinity  with 
the  owls  is  marred  by  its  occurrence  in  toucans,  &c.  (seep.  192). 
The  coracoids  slightly  overlap,  as  in  some  Accipitres. 

Whatever  may  be  thought  about  Pandion,  it  is  clear 
that  the  separation  of  the  secretary  bird  to  form  a  distinct 
family,  Serpentariidse,  is  perfectly  justifiable.1 

Serpentarius  has  basipterygoid  processes,  and  its  muscle 
formula  is  BXY  +  . 

The  tensor  patag ii  l>  rev  is  is  more  stork  or  crane  like  than 
accipitrine,  and  indeed  resembles  Cathartes  in  the  presence  of 

1  The  claims  of  Poltjboroides  to  be  a  member  of  this  family  have  been  dis- 
missed by  MiLNE-Ei>\vABDS  (Hist.  Xnt.  Madagascar)  and  myself  (loc.  cit.  on 
p.  474). 


480 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


a  slip  (see  fig.  227)  uniting  the  brevis  and  longus  tendon.  It 
must  be  remembered,  however,  that  this  also  exists  in  some 
eagles. 

In  Serpentarius  there  is  a  longer  attachment  of  the 
deltoid  to  the  humerus  than  in  other  birds  of  prey  ;  and  there 
is  an  accessory  biceps  muscle  (see  fig.  227). : 


tfl 


FIG.  227. — TENSORES  PATAGII  OF  Serpentarius  (AFTER  BEDDARD). 

t.p.l,  tensor  longus  ;  t.p.br,  tensor  brevis  ;  Bi,  biceps  ;  Hi',  accessory  bicc-i's  : 
Anc,  anconseus  ;  />,  deltoid. 

The  anconceus  has  a  very  broad  tendon  of  origin  from 
humerus. 

In  the  syrinx  a  strong  box  is  formed  by  the  last  tracheal 
ring,  and  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  attached  to  bronchial 
semi-ring  2. 

There  is  a  powerful  expansor  secundariontui. 

1  Cf.  Rhinochctus,  p.  371. 


ACCIPITRES 


481 


J'fffX 


The  skull  has  strong  basipterygoid  processes.  The 
lacrymals  are  large  and  extend  backwards  in  close  connec- 
tion with  the  skull  wall ;  they  are  not  ankylosed  to  it.  The 
descending  process  is  thin  and  articulates  with  the  slight 
ectethmoid.  There  is  a  small  knife-shaped  vomer. 

The  family  Cathartidae  consists  of  the  genera  Sarco- 
rluimplius  (condor),  Gyparchus  (or  Gypagus,  king  vul- 
ture), Cathartes  (turkey 
vulture),  and  Eliinognj- 
plius.  They  all  have,  so 
far  as  is  known,  the  oil 
gland  nude,  twelve  rec- 
trices,  no  after  shaft,  and 
are  aquincubital. 

The  tongue  is  large 
and  fleshy,  with  denticul- 
ations  of  its  upturned 
lateral  margins. 

The  stomach  is  not 
a  gizzard.  There  are  no 
intestinal  cceca.  The  in- 
testines are  61-inch  in 
Gyparchus,  49-inch  in 
Cathartes  atratus.  Of 
the  heart  of  the  condor 
some  observations  will  be 
found  above  (p.  50)  ;  both 
carotids  are  present.  The 
liver  is  equilobed,  with  a 
gall  bladder.  There  are  in 
Gyparchus  traces  of  a  crop. 

The  most  distinctive  feature  of  the  Cathartidse,  however, 
is  the  windpipe,  from  which  a  proper  syrinx  may  be  really 
said  to  be  absent.  The  only  muscles  upon  the  trachea  are 
the  sterno-tracheales,  which  (in  G.  papa)  are  very  short  and 
broad,  and  arise  from  the  sternum  in  the  middle  line,  close 
together  between  the  inner  ends  of  the  coracoids.  Intrinsic 
syringeal  muscles  are  entirely  absent  in  the  Cathartida?, 

i  i 


FIG.  228. — SKULL  ov  Serpentarius 
(AFTER  HUXLEY). 

1'jciii,  premaxilla  ;  J/.r/i,  inaxillo-palatim  s  ;  I'l. 
palatine  ;  Pt,  pterygoid  ;  x,  basipterygoid  process. 


482         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

unless,  indeed,  their  homologues  exist l  in  the  form  of  a 
muscular  covering  to  the  terminal  purely  membranous 
section  of  the  bronchus  (fig.  229)  which,  dividing  into  three 
slips,  runs  from  thence  to  the  parietes.  There  are  in  any 
case  no  muscles  at  the  actual  bifurcation.  Nor  is  there  any 
change  in  the  character  of  the  rings  themselves  such  as  to 
suggest  even  the  rudiment  of  a  syrinx.  In  Cathartes 
the  rings  at  the  bifurcation  are  extraordinarily  thin,  leav- 
ing wide  membranous  intervals,  which  are  occasionally 

O  •* 

traversed  by  bridges  putting  successive  rings  into  communi- 
cation. In  Sarcorhamphus  and  GyparcJms,  which  also  agree 
(see  below)  in  their  'muscle  formula,'  the  rings  are  thicker 
and  closer  together  (see  fig.  229).  And  in  these  two  genera 
the  bronchi  are  incomplete  internally,  giving  rise  to  what 
may  be  termed  a  membrana  tympaniforrnis. 

In  GyparcJms  papa  the  tendons  of  the  patagium  are 
somewhat  complicated.  The  brevis  consists  of  a  separate 
anterior  and  posterior  section,  of  which  the  latter  is  thinner 
and  more  diffuse.  The  anterior  tendon  divides  into  two, 
of  which  the  foremost  gives  off  a  slip  to  the  longus.  There 
is  no  biceps  slip.  The  tendons,  in  fact,  are  thoroughly 
stork-like,  as  are  those  of  the  condor  (Sarcorhamphus) 
and  Cathartes.  In  this  character  the  family  is  very  uni- 
form. 

The  expansor  secundariorum  is  present  in  all. 

The  pectoralis  primus  is  well  divided  into  two  parts,  of 
which  the  lower  (in  G.  pa23a)  is  inserted  by  a  thin  round 
tendon  altogether  below  insertion  of  superficial  layer.  The 
head  of  the  anconceus  is  distinctly  bifid  and  entirely  tendinous, 
arising  from  scapula  and  from  supinator  muscle.  There  is 
a  humeral  slip  of  moderate  size.  (This  muscle  is  described 
from  Cathartes.) 

The  anibiens  is  present  in  all  Cathartidae  ;  so  too  the 
semitendinosus  and  its  accessory.  Cathartes  has  in  addition 
the  femorocaudal,  which  is  absent  in  the  other  genera.  In 
GyparcJms  ( ?  as  to  the  others)  the  semitendinosus  and  semi- 

1  BEDDAKD,  '  Notes  on  the  Anatomy  of  the  Condor,'  P.  Z.  S.  1890,  p.  146. 


ACCIPITRES 


483 


membranosus  are  inserted  in  common.  There  are  two 
peroneah  (at  any  rate  in  Cathartes).  The  deep  flexors  are 
fused  before  origin  of  four  slips  to  four  toes. 

The  cjlutccus  I.  covers  over  biceps,  and  gluttmis  V.  is 
present. 

The  sTiidl  of  the  Cathartidae  has  basipterygoid  processes. 
It  is  desmognathous,  but  the  desmognathism  is  totally 


frnx 


FIG.  229. — WINDPIPE  OF  CONDOK  (AFTER 
BEDDARD). 


FIG.  230. — SKULL  OF  Cathartcs 
aura  (AFTER  HUXLEY). 


Tr,  trachea  ;  ce,  oesophagus  ;  0,  ostia  of  lungs  ;  s,  sp,  Pmx,  premaxilla  :  ^f.^p,  ruaxillo-pala- 
septa  between  air  sacs  ;  in,  muscles  ensheathing  end  tines  ;  PI,  palatines  ;  Pf,  pterygoid  ; 
of  bronchi.  ,^  ossified  septum  ;  .;•,  basipterygoid 

processes. 

different  from  that  of  other  vultures  and  hawks.  The 
maxillo-palatines  proper  (see  fig.  230)  are  very  far  indeed 
from  meeting  in  the  middle  line  ;  indeed,  they  only  just  get 
beyond  the  shelter  of  the  palatines.  But  a  flat  dorsal  pro- 
cess of  each  of  these  bones  (S)  meets  and  is  co-ossified  with 

i  i  2 


484         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


the  nasal  septum  in  the  middle  line.  In  Gyparclms  papa,  at 
any  rate,  there  is  a  small  medio-palatine.  The  lacrymal  (at 
least  in  Cathartes  atratus)  is  a  smallish  bone  completely 
filling  a  notch  in  the  frontal  margin  ;  its  descending  process 
ankyloses  with  the  ectethmoid,  forming  the  usual  ring.  In 
Gyparchus  papa  the  orbital  portion  of  the  lacrymal  is  greatly 
reduced  ;  the  nostrils  are  not  so  elongated  as  in  Cathartes  ; 
the  palatal  bridge  is  more  plainly  an  alinasal  fold.  The 
bony  nostrils  are  holorhinal,  but  much  more  elongated  than 
in  the  Falconidae  ;  there  is  no  trace  of  an  ossified  internarial 
septum. 

Of  fossil  Accipitres  the  remains  of  a  number  of  different  species 
have  been  found.  The  most  interesting  of  these,  on  account  of  its 
age,  is  the  Litliornis  vultiirinus  of  OwEN,1  from  the  London  clay. 
It  had  been  beld  to  come  nearest  to  Cathartes,  an  interesting  fact 
in  view  of  its  occurrence  in  this  country ;  but  LYDEKKER  regards 
it  as  clearly  accipitrine  and  allied  to  Accipiter  and  Circus.  Har- 
pagornis,-  from  the  Pleistocene  of  New  Zealand,  was  a  large  bird, 
one  and  a  half  time  the  bulk  of  a  golden  eagle,  also  belonging  to 
the  same  division  of  Accipitres.  Teracus  and  Palceohierax  are 
extinct  genera  from  the  lower  Miocene  of  France,  known  only  by 
femur  and  tarso-metatarsus  respectively.  They  are  also  probably 
true  falcons.  Serpentarius  is  known  by  an  extinct  form,  S.  robustus, 
from  the  lower  Miocene  of  the  same  country. 

The  following  table  shows  the  main  differences  between 
the  several  families  of  the  Accipitres  :— 


— 

Falconidfe 

Serpentariiilii' 

Cathartidse 

Aftershaft 
Oil  gland 
Muscle  form  a  In 
Accessory  scniimcmb. 
Cceca       .... 
Syrinx    .... 
Basijit.  j->r«c.    . 
DesmognatMsm 

+  (exc.Panclion) 
Tufted 
A  + 
+ 
+  (rud.) 
Trach.-bronch. 

Of  maxillo-pal. 

+ 

Tufted 
BXY  + 

+   (rud.) 
Trach.-bronch. 

Of  max.-pal. 

Nude 

(A)XY  + 

+ 
Of  alinasals 

1  'Description  of  the  Fossil  Eemains  of  ...  a  Bird  (Litliornis  vultiirinus) 
from  the  London  Clay,'  Trans.  Geol.  Soc.  (2),  vi.  1841,  p.  206. 

2  Cf.  HAAST  in  Trans.  N.  Zealand  Inst.  iv.  1871,  p.  192,  and  ibid.  vi.  1874, 
p.  64,  and  OWEN  in  Extinct  Birds  of  New  Zealand. 


ACCIPITRES  485 

It  is  clear  from  the  few  characters — the  principal  ones, 
however — given  in  the  above  list  that  the  Cathartidae  are 
more  aberrant  (considering  the  Falconidee  to  be  the  typical 
birds  of  prey)  than  are  the  Serpentariidaa ;  for  the 
Cathartidse  diverge  in  all  eight  characters  from  the  Fal- 
conidae,  while  the  secretary  vulture  only  diverges  in  three. 
What  reason  is  there,  it  might  be  asked,  to  retain  the 
American  vultures  within  this  order  at  all,  particularly 
if  the  owls  are  to  be — as  I  think  they  should — excluded  ? 
The  only  group  which  has  the  distinctive  characters  of  the 
Cathartidae  (besides,  of  course,  the  present  group)  is  that  of 
Herodiones.  There  only  do  we  find  birds  with  ambiens  and 
expansor  secundariorum,  without  biceps  slip,  holorhinal,  and 
with  rudimentary  or  absent  cseca.  The  Steganopodes  also 
are  not  far  off.  It  really  conies  to  the  beak  and  claws,  the 
ceroma,  and  to  the  presence  of  various  structures  (e.g.  the 
peculiar  palate,  the  basipterygoid  processes)  which  forbid 
their  association  with  the  Herodiones.  The  several  groups 
are  not  far  off,  but  on  the  whole  the  American  vultures  are 
more  like  the  remaining  birds  of  prey  than  like  the  stork 
tribe  (see  also  under  the  discussion  of  the  affinities  of  the 
Grues,  p.  882). 

TINAMI 

Definition. — Oil  gland  tufted.  Q,uintocubital.  Muscle  formula  of 
thigh,  ABXY"+.  Expansor  secundariorum  present.  Biceps 
slip  absent.  Both  carotids  present.  Large  caeca  and  crop.  Skull 
dromseognathous.  Tail  short  without  ploughshare  bones.  Bones 
of  pelvis  free  distally. 

The  tinamous  are  purely  South  American  birds,  of  which 
in  his  recent  catalogue  Count  SALVADOEI  allows  nine 
genera. 

The  tinamous  have  a  tufted  oil  gland,  but  the  tuft  is  often 
very  minute,  and  in  Calodromas  elegans  consists  of  only  four 
feathers,  two  larger  and  two  smaller,  the  larger  ones  being 
uppermost. 

I  take  my  account  of  the  pterylosis  of  the  tinamous  from 


486         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF  BIRDS 

PYECRAFT'S  careful  description  1  of  Calodromas  (which  I  can 
confirm)  and  Rhynchotus  rufcscens.  In  the  former  bird  the 
body  is  fairly  covered  with  feathers,  the  apteria  being  narrow. 
There  is  no  down  save  on  the  wings.  The  spinal  tract  soon 
divides  into  two  ;  but  they  rejoin  near  the  base  of  the  neck. 
These  tracts  again  divide  and  reunite  some  way  in  front  of 
the  oil  gland,  enclosing  thus  a  dorsal  apterion.  The  ventral 
tracts  also  divide  early  upon  the  neck,  and  each  of  them 
again  divides  on  the  pectoral  region  into  a  stronger,  outer, 
and  a  somewhat  weaker,  inner,  tract.  Until  about  halfway 
down  the  neck  the  dorsal  and  ventral  tracts  are  in  contact. 
In  Rhyndiotiis  rufescens  there  is  no  spinal  apterion.  The 
after  shaft  is  much  more  rudimentary  than  in  Calodromas, 
where  it  is  well  developed.  Both  birds  have  ten  feebly 
developed  rectrices.  Rh.  perdicarius  has  eight. 

The  aftershaft  is  apparently  in  the  process  of  disappear- 
ance among  the  tinamous.  In  Nothocercus,  writes  Mr.  PYE- 
CRAFT,  '  it  is  evidently  degenerating,  inasmuch  as  the  shaft 
is  almost,  if  not  quite,  obsolete,  only  the  rami  remaining.' 
In  Tinamus  solitarius  the  aftershaft  is  absent.  Powder- 
down  pat  dies  exist  in  a  few  tinamous.  They  occur,  for  ex- 
ample, in  Tinamus  major.  In  Cryptu  rus  ta  ta  upa  the  powder- 
down  patches  extend  down  011  each  side  of  dorsal  tract  from 
a  little  in  front  of  humerus  nearly  to  oil  gland.  After  the 
end  of  the  scapula  they  thicken  and  spread  outwards  as  far 
as  the  head  of  the  femur,  and  are  in  contact  for  nearly  two 
inches  along  mid-line  ;  they  then  narrow  again  and  terminate 
half  an  inch  in  front,  and  slightly  to  the  side,  of  the  oil 
gland. 

Rhynchotus  perdicarius  has  apparently  no  powder- 
downs. 

The  tongue  of  the  tinamous  is  small  and  triangular  in 
form.  The  crop  is  present  and  large.  The  provcntricitlus 
is  zonary  ;  the  liver  subequilobed,  with  a  gall  bladder. 

The  following  are  measurements  of  the  alimentary 
canal  :— 

1  Ibis,  1895,  p.  1. 


TIN  AMI 


487 


S.  I. 

L.  I. 

C. 

Crypt  urus  tataupa 

19-75 

3-75 

2-5 

,,          obsoletus 
„          sallai    . 

25 

34 

|             2-5 

3-3 

4 

RJiyiicliotiis  rufcscens 
Nothura  maculosa  . 

19 

i  —  '  —  \ 
42 
1               3 

8-5,  9-5 
5 

Tinamus  solitarius 

i—^ 
73 

4-5 

The  ccBca,  it  will  be  observed  (fig.  231,  p.  488),  are  well 
developed,  particularly  in  Rhynchotus  rufescens  ;  they  are 
also  large  and  very  peculiar  in  form  in  Calodromas.1  The  caeca 
of  this  bird  are  not  merely  much  wider  than  is  customary, 
but  they  are  beset  with  numerous  small  diverticula,  which 
diminish  in  size  towards  the  apex  of  the  caecum.  These 
peculiar  cseca  are  absolutely  unique  among  birds,  and  nothing 
at  all  like  them  has  been  described  in  any  other  tinamou. 

A  curious  feature  of  at  any  rate  some  tinamous  (shared, 
however,  by  the  Anseres,  PalamedeidEe,  some  gallinaceous 
birds,  and  perhaps  Toccus)  is  the  existence  of  two  pairs  of 
extrinsic  muscles  upon  the  trachea.  In  Cnjptiinis  tataupa 
one  of  these  pairs  is  stouter  than  the  other,  and  they  are  both 
lost  on  the  fascia  covering  lungs.  This  genus  has  no  intrinsic 
muscles. 

In  other  tinamous  intrinsic  muscles  are  present. 

In  Calodromas  elegans  the  anterior  face  of  the  lower  part 
of  the  trachea  (about  an  inch  in  length)  is  covered  with  a 
sheet  of  muscle,  which  is  the  extrinsic  muscle,  and  probably 
(judging  from  the  conditions  which  obtain  in  the  female)  is 
attached  to  the  long  fascia.  The  very  broad  intrinsic  mus- 
cles underlie  this,  and  are  inserted  a  long  way  down  the 
bronchus  to  the  four  or  five  rings  following  the  third.  When 
viewed  laterally  the  curvature  of  the  last  four  tracheal  rings 
is  seen  to  gradually  increase ;  there  is  thus  a  considerable 
membranous  interval  left  between  the  last  tracheal  and  the 
first  bronchial,  which  is  straight.  The  membrana  tympani- 
formis  is  narrow.  In  the  hen  bird  the  extrinsic  muscles  are 


1  BEDDAKD,  '  On  the  Cseca  of  Calodromas,''  Ibis,  1890,  p.  61. 


488         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


small,  and  do  not  form  a  sheet  of  muscle  covering  the  end  of 
the  trachea. 


S.I 


FIG.  231. — C^ECA  OF  Calodromas  elcgans  (AFTER 

BEDDAED). 
S.I,  small  intestine  ;  L.I,  large  intestine  ;  C,  cseca. 


FIG.  232. — C^CA  OF  No- 
tliura  maculosa  (AFTER 
BEDDARD).  LETTERS  AS 
IN  FIG.  231. 


TINAMI  489 

In  Tinamus  solitarius  the  intrinsic  muscles  are  large  and 
are  inserted  upon  the  fifth  or  sixth  bronchial  semi-ring.  In 
Mhynchotus  rufescens  they  are  also  large,  but  attached 
higher  up. 

The  muscles  *  of  the  tinamous  .are  remarkable  on  account 
of  their  soft  texture  and  pale  colour.  The  pectoralis  I.  is 
very  large  and  meets  its  fellow  of  the  opposite  side  and  for 
a  considerable  portion  of  its  extent.  The  actual  junction  of 
the  fibres  is  prevented  by  a  fibrous  septum,  which  is  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  carina  sterni.  The  second  pectoral  is  also 
large.  The  tensor patagii  tendon  is  abroad  diffuse  band,  as 
in  gallinaceous  birds  ;  it  has  no  biceps  slip  unless  a  muscle 
that  will  be  referred  to  in  connection  with  the  biceps 
immediately  really  represents  this.  The  biceps  itself  pre- 
sents no  remarkable  features,  but  a  kind  of  accessory  biceps 
runs  along  the  front  of  the  humerus,  which  is  quite  distinct 
from  the  biceps  proper  ;  I  have  found  this  both  in  Calo- 
dromas  and  Bhynchotus.  This  is  regarded  by  FURBRINGEE 
as  part  of  the  coracobrachialis  externus. 

In  Cr upturns  (as  also  in  gallinaceous  birds  and  sand 
grouse — a  noteworthy  fact,  perhaps)  the  pectoralis  abdomi- 
nalis  has  a  remarkable  ending. 

Instead  of  being  inserted  directly  upon  the  humeral  crest 
it  ends  upon  a  tendinous  bridge,  to  which  are  also  attached  the 
pectoralis,  the  latissimus  dorsi  posterior,  and  the  expansor 
secundariorum. 

The  tinamous  have  the  gallinaceous  muscle  in  the  fore 
arm  and  the  expansor  secundariorum.  The  anconceus  has  a 
humeral  slip. 

In  Cryptnrus  tataupa  and  Notliura  maculosa&i  any  rate 
the  expansor  secundariorum  ends  in  a  tendon  which  is 
inserted  on  to  the  scapula  on  the  one  hand  and  the  manu- 
brium  sterni  on  the  other. 

The  tinamous  have  the  complete  muscular  formula  of 
the  leg,  i.e.  ABXY+. 

1  ALIX,  '  Sur  la  Myologie  du  Rliyncliotus  ntfescens,'  Juitru.  de  Zool.  v.  (1870), 
p.  411.  '  Memoire  sur  I'Ostiologie  et  Myologie  du  Notliura  major,'1  Journ. 
Zool.  iii.  1874,  pp.  167,  252. 


490         STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


Prnx, 


M.xp 


Vo 


The  glut cei  I.-V.  are  well  developed.  A  very  interesting 
feature  of  the  thigh  muscles  (referred  to  by  GARROD  !)  is  the 
existence  of  a  small  '  suprasciatic '  slip  of  muscle  arising 
behind  the  acetabulum,  which  reinforces  the  accessory 
femorocaudal.  The  interest  of  this  small  muscle  lies  in  the 
fact  that  it  has  its  precise  counterpart  in  the  struthious  birds 
(q.v.)  This  muscle  was  found  by  FORBES  to  be  absent  in  a 

male  Crypt  tints  tattnqja;  it  was  present 
in  a  female  of  the  same  species. 

The  two  deep  flexor  tendons  fuse  and 
then  supply  digits  II. -IV.  ;  before  uniting 
the  flexor  hallucis  gives  off  a  slender  slip 
to  hallux,  which  is  wanting  in  Crypt  it  nix 
undulatus. 

The  skull  of  the  tinamous,  as  was 
first  pointed  out  by  PARKER,2  is  com- 
pletely '  struthious  '  so  far  as  concerns  the 
palate.  As  will  be  seen  from  the  annexed 
cut  (fig.  233)  the  vomer  is  broad  and  unites 
in  front  with  the  maxillo-palatines,  as  in 
Dromceus.  Its  ends  receive  behind  the 
pterygoid  and  palatines,  which  are  thus 
prevented  from  articulation  with  the 
basisphenoidal  rostrum.  There  are  large 
basipterygoid  processes  and  the  head  of 

FIG.     '233.— SKULL    OF  J°          .         .  ,       ,,  . 

Tinamus     robustus    the  quadrate  is  single,  as   in  struthious 
(AFTER  HUXLEY).         birds.     The  supraorbital  chain  of  bones 
figured  by  PARKER  in  Tinamus  robustus 
palatiues ;    is  another  archaic  skull  character  of  these 
birds.3        The    nasals,     lacrymals,     and 
adjoining  bones  are  very  much  like  those  of  Eliea  and  not  at 
all    like  those   of  gallinaceous    birds.     Between  the  nasals 
posteriorly  is  a   considerable    tract  of  ethmoid,4    appearing 

1  '  On  certain  Muscles  of  the  Thigh  of  Birds,'  etc.,  P.  Z.  S.  1873,  p.  642. 

-  '  On  the  Osteology  of  Gallinaceous  Birds  and  Tinamous,'  Zool.  Trans,  v. 

:!  Absent,    according    to   LUCAS    ('  Notes    on  the    Osteology  of  the  Spotted 
Tinamou,'  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  x.  1887,  p.  157),  in  Nothum  inaculosa. 

*  Prof.  PAEKER  wrote,  in  1862  (loc.  cit.  p.  213)  :  '  I  suppose  that  in  the  tina- 
mou,  as  in  other  ostriches,  the  broad  top  of  the  ethmoid  is  separately  developed 


T1NAMI  491 

upon  the  surface  of  the  skull.  The  outer  descending  part  of 
the  nasal  reaches  the  maxilla,  and  with  the  upper  part  of  the 
bone  encircles  the  holorhinal  nasal  foramen ;  it  is  not 
ankylosed  with  the  lacrymal.  The  latter  descends  and 
articulates  with  the  jugal  by  a  very  distinct  facet,  especially 
distinct  in  PJujnclwtux  ntfrscens.  The  bone  also  becomes 
fused  with  the  lateral  wing-like  process  of  the  ethmoid, 
forming  a  complete  ring  of  bone  round  a  relatively  very 
wide  foramen.  A  special  point  of  resemblance  to  Ehea  and 
Droin&us  is  the  perforation  of  the  descending  process  of  the 
lacrymal  itself.  This  is  best  seen  in  Eliijnchotux  rufescens  ; 
in  Calodromas  elegans,  Notliura  maculosa,  and  Grypturus 
tataupa,  there  is  merely  a  notch  which  in  the  fresh  skull  may 
possibly  be  converted  into  a  foramen  by  a  ligament.1 

FURBRINGEE  gives  16-18  as  the  number  of  cervical 
vertebra.  The  cup  of  the  atlas  is  perforated  for  the  odontoid 
process  in  Crypturus,  Rhynchotus,  and  Nothura.  As  in 
the  gallinaceous  birds,  &c.,  some  of  the  dorsal  vertebrae  are 
fused  together.  In  Tinamus  solitariusthisw&s  the  case  with 
the  first  three  and  to  a  less  extent  with  the  last  cervical.  In 
Nothura  maculosa  five  vertebrae  were  thus  fused,  and  a 
strongish  longitudinal  piece  of  bone,  formed  of  ossified  liga- 
ment, connected  their  transverse  processes.  In  Cr  upturns 
tataupa  there  were  four  vertebrae  fused  and  one  in  front 
partially  so.  Four  ribs  reach  the  sternum  in  Tinamus 
solitarius.  The  sternum  of  the  tinamous  is  very  remarkable 
in  form.  The  manubrium  is  slightly  bifurcate  ;  the  middle 
portion  of  the  sternum,  which  bears  the  keel,  is  exceedingly 
narrow,  and  a  wide  space  is  left  on  each  side  between  it 
and  the  lateral  processes,  which  are  thin  and  as  long  as 
the  middle  piece.  The  anterolateral  processes  are  well 
developed. 

The  pelvis  is  so  far   on  the  struthious  pattern  that  the 

by  a  long  piece  growing  from  above  downwards  between  the  anterior  ends 
of  the  frontals.  No  suture  remains  to  tell  me  that ;  but  if  it  be  so  all  is 
perfectly  struthious,  for  those  birds  differ  in  this  from  all  others  examined 
by  me.' 

1  This,  however,  is  not  a  unique  feature  of  the  birds  in  question.     It  occurs, 
for  example,  in  Tantalus  and  XenorTvynchus. 


492         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

three  bones  do  not  fuse  posteriorly  ;  the  pectineal  process  is 
large. 

There  are  at  most  faint  traces  of  a  ploughshare  bone. 

In  Cryptunis  the  clavicles  come  into  contact  with  the 
acrocoracoid  and  the  scapula,  but  not  with  the  small  pro- 
coracoid. 

The  two  coracoids  are  not  nearly  in  contact  at  their 
articulation  with  the  sternum. 

The  only  birds  with  which  the  tinamous  have  been  com- 
pared are  the  ostrich  tribe,  the  gallinaceous  birds,  rails, 
bustards,  and  some  of  the  Limicolse.  PAEKEE  saw  in  the 
tinamou  a  '  cock  ostrich  mule  ;  '  and  perhaps  the  prevalent 
opinion  is  that  they  lie  on  the  confines  of  these  twTo  groups- 
It  is  unquestionably  to  the  Struthiones  that  they  show  the 
greatest  numbsr  of  important  likenesses,1  so  much  so,  indeed, 
that  their  inclusion  in  one  great  group  with  them  would  be 
by  no  means  an  unreasonable  way  of  disposing  of  them. 
The  salient  points  of  resemblance  are  by  no  means  confined 
to  the  skeleton,  but  the  most  numerous  resemblances  are  in 
that  part  of  the  body  of  the  birds.  The  skull,  with  its 
'  dromseognathous  '  palate,  is  strikingly  like.  The  appearance 
of  the  ethmoid  as  a  median  ossification  of  the  skull  roof  is 
struthious,  but  it  also  occurs,  though  not  so  markedly,  in 
Galhts  and  (according  to  SELENKA)  in  the  CaprimulgidEe.  It 
is  very  conspicuous  in  the  tinamou  and  the  Struthiones.  The 
open  pelvis  is  especially  like  that  of  Aptenjx.  The  single- 
headed  quadrate  is  struthious ;  but,  as  already  mentioned, 
the  struthious  birds  are  not  uniform  in  this  character. 

The  sternum,  with  its  antero-lateral  and  postero-lateral 
processes,  recalls  that  of  Aptenjx,  in  spite  of  the  enormous 
length  of  these  parts  and  a  consequent  superficial  dissimi- 
larity. The  absent,  or  rudimentary,  ploughshare  bone  may 
perhaps  be  passed  over  as  correlated  with  the  imperfect 
flight.  As  to  the  soft  parts,  the  peculiar  additional  accessory 

1  A  singular  if  less  important  likeness  than  some  mentioned  above  has  been 
referred  to  by  Mr.  BARTLETT  ('  Notes  on  the  Breeding  of  several  Species  of  Birds,' 
&c.,  P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  114).  The  male  Rliyncliotus  rnfescens  incubates,  as  in 
the  Struthiones,  while  the  chick  '  much  resembles  the  young  of  a  Rhea.'' 


T1NAMI 


493 


femorocaudal  muscle  is  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  Stru- 
thiones  ;  the  peculiar  accessory  biceps  muscle  of  the  arm 
may  have  its  degenerate  counterpart  in  a  sheet  of  strong 
tendinous  tissue  which  runs  along  the  humerus  in  certain 
ratites. 

The  following  table   shows  some  of  the  more  striking 
likenesses  of  the  Tinami  to  the  Struthiones  and  Galli  : — 


— 

Tinami 

Struthiones 

Galli 

Skull 
Pelvis 

Dromseognathous 

Bones  free 

Drom. 

Bones  free  or 

Schizognathous 
Ischia    and    ilia 

Oil  gland  . 

Tufted 

but  little  united 
0 

fused  posteriorly 
Tufted,  or  nude, 
or  0 

Rein  ex  V.  . 

+ 

+   ?                            + 

Leg  muscles 
Swprasciatic  muscle  . 
Entepicondylo-ulnaris 

Trachea     . 

ABXY  + 

+ 
+ 
Sometimes  with 

(A)BXY(  +  ) 
+ 
In  Apteryx 
Only  one  pair 

(A)BXY  + 
0 

+ 
Sometimes   two 

two  pairs  ex- 
trins.  muscles 

i 

pairs 

STRUTHIONES 

Definition. — Flightless  birds  without  stiff  contour  feathers.  Oil  gland 
absent.  "Wing  small.  Expansor  secundariorum  and  biceps  slip 
absent.  Semitendinosus  and  its  accessory  always  present.  An 
additional  slip  to  accessory  femorocaudal  present.  Skull 
dromaeognathous  with  basipterygoid  processes  ;  holorhinal. 
Sternum  without  a  well-developed  carina.  Coraco-scapular 
angle  wide.  Coracoid  fused  with  scapula.  Casca  large. 

As  will  be  seen  from  the  above  definition,  the  characters 
of  this  group  are  to  a  considerable  extent  negative  characters. 
They  are  for  the  most  part  such  characters  as  are  correlated 
with  the  loss  of  the  power  of  flight.  AVe  need  not,  therefore, 
lay  too  much  stress  upon  them  as  indicative  of  the  natural- 
ness of  the  group.  But  even  when  these  characters  (as,  for 
instance,  the  absence  of  the  carina  sterni,  the  open  angle 
between  the  coracoid  and  scapula,  the  absence  of  a  plough- 
share bone,  which,  moreover,  is  occasionally  and  exception- 
ally present.  There  is  a  skeleton  of  an  old  Stnithio  in  the 
Cambridge  Museum  in  which  several  of  the  last  vertebrae 


494         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

are  fused)  are  set  aside  as  comparatively  valueless  as  marks  of 
near  relationship,  there  remain  enough  anatomical  resem- 
blances to  justify  the  older  view  that  all  these  birds  are  but 
members  of  one  and  the  same  group.  FUEBKINGEK  has 
denied  this  in  his  '  Untersuchungen,'  and  places  Apteryx, 
together  with  the  Dinornithidse,  apart  from  the  other  stru- 
thious  birds,  and  has  again  separated  Struthiiformes  from 
Eheiformes  and  Casuariiformes,  deriving  all  from  different 
levels  of  the  ornithic  tree.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the 
various  types  of  struthious  birds  do  require  separating  into 
at  least  six  families ;  but  the  likenesses  among  them  appear 
to  me  to  forbid  any  wider  separation.  The  close  resemblance 
of  the  palate  throughout  the  group,  so  far  as  we  know  it 
(JEpyornis  is  not  known),  is  a  strong  reason  for  associating 
them  together ;  perhaps  even  the  osteological  and  other 
characters,  which,  as  already  suggested,  are  but  evidence  of 
the  loss  of  the  flight  power,  may  be  of  more  importance  as 
an  argument  for  affinity  than  is  generally  admitted  ;  it  may 
show  that  they  are  allied,  because  the  degeneration  has  pro- 
ceeded along  the  same  lines.  There  is,  it  is  true,  not  a  great 
deal  of  evidence  in  favour  of  this  view ;  but  we  have  the 
penguins  also  with  a  degenerate  wing,  in  which  the  modifi- 
cations of  structure '  have  progressed  along  different  paths. 
They  have,  for  example,  lost  the  biceps,  which  is  present  in 
all  Struthiones,  while  the  feathers  of  the  wing  are  equally 
inefficient  as  aids  to  flight  with  those  of  the  Struthiones,  but 
are  quite  unlike  them.  The  peculiar  muscle  of  the  thigh, 
which  will  be  found  described  as  an  adjunct  of  the  accessory 
femorocaudal,  is  one  of  those  apparently  small  facts  of  struc- 
ture which,  on  account  of  their  very  minuteness,  seem  of 
importance  as  a  mark  of  true  relationship. 

The  fact  that  all  of  the  struthioris  birds  have  large  or 
moderately  developed  caeca  is  further  evidence  of  affinity. 
It  might  be  thought  that  the  usual  absence  of  the  oil  gland 
was  one  of  those  characters  affording  clear  evidence  of  degene- 
ration ;  but  its  capricious  appearance  and  disappearance  in 

1  See,  however,  the  qualifying  remarks  with  regard  to  the  wings  of  Apteryx 
on  p.  499. 


STKUTHIONES  495 

other  birds  forbid  us  to  assume  this  without  any  further- 
argument. 

While  the  Struthiones  present  collectively  and  individually 
a  larger  number  of  important  differences  from  other  birds, 
their  organisation  is  essentially  on  the  plan  of  that  of  the 
remaining  members  of  the  class.  To  take  only  one — at  the 
same  time  one  of  the  most  striking — of  these  correspondences 
in  anatomical  structure,  the  respiratory  organs  may  be  con- 
sidered. It  is  hardly  too  much  to  say  that  there  are  not  even 
differences  of  detail  in  the  arrangement  of  the  lungs  and  air 
sacs  among  the  struthious  birds.  Professor  HUXLEY  ex- 
ploded some  years  ago  the  idea  that  the  oblique  septa  of  the 
Apteryx  were  more  like  the  mammalian  diaphragm  than  the 
corresponding  structures  of  other  carinate  or  ratite  birds.  It 
is  inconceivable  that  there  should  be  this  minute  correspond- 
ence of  detail  with  detail,  if  we  are  to  assume  with  some 
that  the  struthious  birds  have  arisen  from  a  totally  different 
stock  from  that  which  produced  the  carinates.  They  would 
derive  the  former  from  the  dinosaurs  and  the  latter  from  the 
pterodactyles. 

The  existing  struthious  birds  are  the  genera  Strutliio, 
Afro-Arabian  in  range;  Rhea,  South  American ;  Droma'iis, 
Australia;  Apteryx,  New  Zealand  ;  and  Casuarius,  Australian 
region.  The  structure  of  these  living  members  of  the  group 
will  be  considered  first,  after  which  some  account  will  be 
given  of  the  Dinornithidae  and  other  extinct  and  undoubted 
members  of  the  group,  as  well  as  of  a  few  dubious  forms 
which  have  been  placed  here— rather  because  they  do  not 
definitely  fit  in  anywhere  in  particular  than  from  their 
obvious  affinities  with  the  Struthiones. 

The  genus  Strutliio  appears  to  contain  two  species,  the 
more  common  Struthio  camelus  and  the  Somaliland  S. 
molijbdophanes.  The  ostrich  has  two  toes,  Nos.  III.  and 
IV.  There  is  no  oil  gland.  The  pterylosis,  continuous  in 
the  adult  bird,  show's  two  distinct  apteria  in  the  embryo,  as 
has  been  shown  by  Miss  LINDSAY.'  In  the  young  chick 

1  '  On  the  Avian  Sternum,'  P.  Z.  S.  1885,  p.  684.     See  also  W.  MARSHALL, 
'  Beobachtungen  iiber  das  Verhiiltniss  der  Federn,'  &c.,  Zool.  Gart.  xvi.  (1875), 


496        STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

there  is  a  ventral  apterion  in  the  sternal  region  and  a  lateral 
apterion  outside  each  half  of  the  ventral  tract.  The  adult 
ostrich  has  a  claw  on  each  of  digits  I.  and  II.  The  arrange- 
ment of  the  wing  feathers  has  been  carefully  worked  out  by  the 
late  Mr.  WE  AY.1  He  finds  the  remiges  to  be  quite  distinct, 
as  well  as  the  tectrices  majores ;  the  tectrices  mediae  are  but 
scantily  represented,  and  there  is  an  incomplete  row  of 
tectrices  minores.  The  number  of  remiges  upon  the  hand, 
including  one  upon  the  carpus,  is  sixteen.  There  are  four 
to  the  ala  spuria.  The  number  of  cubitals  is  about  twenty. 
It  has,  therefore,  more  primaries  than  any  bird  except  the 
penguin. 

The  genus  Aptenjx,  entirely  confined  to  New  Zealand, 
consists  of  three  or  four  species,  viz.  A.  australis,  A.  Mantelli, 
A.  Oweni,  A.  Haasti,  and  A.Bulleri. 

It  has  been  described  as  possessing  a  continuous,  un- 
interrupted plumage  ;  but  this,  according  to  T.  J.  PAEKEE,'2 
is  far  from  the  truth.  '  In  a  fresh  specimen  of  A.  Bitlleri,' 
he  remarks,  '  I  find  the  lateral  apterium  to  be  fully  2 
cm.  wide,  and  to  extend  about  5  cm.  cephalad  and  9  cm. 
caudad  from  the  axilla,  its  total  length  being,  therefore, 
about  14  cm.  In  the  same  specimen  the  ventral  or  inferior 
space  was  of  about  equal  width  (2  cm.),  and  extended  about 
11  or  12  cm.  caudad  from  between  the  origins  of  the  wings. 
Moreover  the  inner  (ventral)  surface  of  the  wing  is  always 
nearly  devoid  of  feathers  and  so  constitutes  a  well-marked 
lower  wing-space.' 

The  oil  gland  is  present  and  the  feathers  have  no  after- 
shaft. 

The  relatively  minute  wing  of  the  Apteryx  has  a  true 
alar  membrane,  which,  as  PAEKEE  has  justly  pointed  out,  is 
further  evidence  for  regarding  this  bird  as  the  derivative  of 
a  flying  form. 

p.  121,  and  ZANDER,  '  Uber  das  Gefieder  des   afrikanischen  Strausses,'    Schr. 
phijs.-ok.  Ges.  Konigsb.  xxix.  1889,  SB.  p.  31. 

1  '  On  some  Points  in  the  Morphology  of  the  Wings  of  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1887, 
p.  343. 

2  'Observations  on  the  Anatomy  and  Development  of  Aiitcry.?,'  Pltil.  Trans. 
1891. 


STRUTHIONES  497 

Though  no  rectrices  can  be  distinguished,  there  are 
recognisable  remiges.  PAEKER  counted  nine  or  ten  cubitals 
and  two  or  three  metacarpals  and  a  single  mid-digital  ;  there 
are  also  tectrices  majores.  An  extraordinary  peculiarity  of 
Aptenjx  is  the  situation  of  the  nostrils  near  the  very  end  of 
the  beak. 

Of  Casiiarius  there  are  some  ten  species  which  are  found 
in  several  of  the  islands  lying  to  the  north  of  the  continent 
of  Australia,  such  as  New  Britain,  Ceram,  &c.,  as  well  as- 
one  species,  Casuarius  australis — in  the  north  of  Australia 
itself.  They  are  remarkable  externally  for  their  black 
coloration,  brown  in  the  young,  and  for  the  horny  casque 
upon  the  head.  The  neck  is  naked  and  adorned  with 
bright  colours,  in  which  blue  is  especially  prominent,  and 
there  are  often  dependent  folds  of  bright-coloured  skin  in 
this  region.  The  feathers  have  an  aftershaft  as  large  as 
the  feather  itself;  the  rectrices  are  unrecognisable,  but  the 
remiges  are  present  in  the  shape  of  long  spines  which  corre- 
spond to  the  stems  of  the  feathers.  The  claw  of  the  inner 
of  three  toes  is  very  elongate. 

The  emu,  Dronmus,1  is  entirely  Australian  in  range,  and 
contains  two  species.  This  genus,  agreeing  with  the  casso- 
wary in  laying  a  green  egg,  has  no  helmet  or  wattle,  or  stiff 
spines  upon  the  wing.  It  has,  however,  like  the  cassowary, 
a  large  aftershaft. 

The  fourth  genus  of  Struthiones  is  the  South  American 
Rhca,  of  which  three  species  are  recognised.  These  have 
been  carefully  compared  by  GADOW.2  The  genus  is  cha- 
racterised, so  far  as  external  characters  are  concerned,  by 
the  want  of  an  aftershaft  and  by  the  feathered  neck — not 
naked,  as  in  the  ostrich  ;  it  lays  a  yellowish  white  egg.  The 
Rlica  is  three-toed.  There  is  a  distinct  ventral  apterion 
running  from  sternal  callosity  to  vent.3 


1  G.  DUCH.UIP,  '  Observations  sur  1'Anatomie  clu  Dromons?  Ann.  Sci.  Nat. 
(5),  xvii.  1873. 

-  '  On  the  Anatomical  Differences  in  the  Three  Species  of  Rhca,'  P.  Z.   ,S. 

->,  p.  308. 

3  '  A.  BOECKING,    De   Rhea    Americana,   Diss.  Inaug.   Bonn,   1863  ;    J.    F. 

K  K 


498         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

Strnthio  has  been  found  fossil  in  the  Siwalik  Hills,  in  South 
Eussia  and  Samos.  Rlica  is  found  fossil  in  America  (South). 
LYDEKKER  considers  Hypselornis  sivalensis,  whose  place  of  inter- 
ment is  indicated  by  the  name,  to  be  an  emu.  It  is  only  known 
from  the  second  phalanx  of  the  third  digit  of  the  pes. 

( it'// i/i'>niis  Newtoni,  from  Australia,1  with  a  skull  a  foot  long, 
seems  to  have  been  a  gigantic  emu.  But  it  has  not  as  yet  been 
fully  described. 

Dasornis  londincnsis  (from  the  Eocene  clay  of  Sheppey)  is 
placed  by  FURBRINGER  among  the  Ratites,  rather  in  deference  to 
the  opinion  of  Sir  R.  OWEN  -  than  from  conviction.  GADOW,  on 
the  other  hand,  places  it  among  Stereornithes.  It  is  only  known 
by  a  water-worn  skull  fragment,  indicating  a  skull  as  large  as  that 
of  the  Dinornithidse.  It  seems  useless  to  speculate  upon  the 
affinities  of  this  fragment. 

Macrornis  of  SEELEY  must  remain  for  the  present  a  name. 

In  surveying  the  muscular  system  of  the  Struthiones  3it  is 
clear  that,  so  far  as  concerns  the  muscles  of  the  manus, 
Apteryx  is,  in  accordance  with  other  reductions  in  the  bones 
of  that  limb,  the  most  degenerate  type.  On  the  other  hand 
(assuming,  of  course,  the  derivation  of  the  Struthiones  from 
some  carinate  form)  the  shoulder  girdle  of  Apteryx  has 
retained  more  of  the  primitive  musculature  than  the  other 
genera. 

In  all  the  genera  the  following  muscles  have  disappeared  : 
the  pectoral-is  propatagialis,  biceps  propatagiaMs,  deltoid cs 
'propatagialis,*  deltoides  minor,  scapulo-Jiumerdlis  anterior, 
expansor  secundariorum.5 

The  pectoral-is  major  is  in  all  very  reduced. 

All  the  struthious  birds  except  Apteryx  have  also  lost  the 

VAN  BEMMELEX,  '  Onderzoek  van  een  Rhca-'Emloijo,'  Tijd.  Ned.  Dierk.  Ver. 
1888,  p.  ccv. 

1  STIRLING  and  ZIF.TZ,  '  Preliminary  Notes  on  Geni/oriiis.'  Ac..  Tr.  Roy.  Soc. 
S.  Australia,  xx. 

-  On  Diiiurnis  (part  xiv.),  Tr.  Zool.  Soc.  vii.  p.  145,  pi.  xvi. 

3  GADOW,  Zur  vergleichenden  Anatomic  tier  Musk/ilatur  dcs  Beckcns   mid 
der  liinteren  Gliedmcisse  der  Eatiten.     Jena,  1880. 

4  In  Apteryx  some  elastic  tissue  in  the  patagium  possibly  represents  this. 

s  Traces  have  been  asserted  to  exist  in  Aptcnj.r  and  Dromceus,  but  require 
confirmation. 


STKUTHIONES  499 

serratus  metapatagialis,  the  latissimus  dor  si  metapatagialis, 
and  the  pectoralis  abdominalis. 

On  the  other  hand  Apteryx  has  lost  what  the  other 
struthious  birds  have  retained,  the  latissimus  dor  si  anterior 
and  the  rhomboideus  profundus  ;  the  latter  muscle,  however, 
is  not  distinguishable  in  the  cassowary. 

It  must  be  admitted,  therefore,  that  Apteryx,  so  far  as 
concerns  the  anterior  extremity,  has  diverged  from  the 
hypothetical  ancestral  condition  in  slightly  different  lines  from 
other  Struthiones. 

In  the  cassowary  l  both  rhomboidei  are  present,  but  they 
originate  from  ribs  and  not  from  the  cervical  vertebrae. 
The  rhomboideus  profundus  is  parallel  with  and  hardly  dis- 
tinguishable from  a  portion  of  the  serratus  profundus  ;  hence 
FUEBRING-BE  is  indisposed  to  admit  the  existence  of  a  sepa- 
rate rhomboideus  profundus.  • 

The  serratus  superficialis  consists  of  two  separate  fan- 
shaped  bands  of  muscle.  The  coraco-brachialis  interims  is 
entirely  converted  into  tendon.  The  biceps  originates  only 
from  the  coracoid,  and  ends  without  being  definitely  split 
into  two  tendons  upon  both  radius  and  ulna.  There  is  only 
one  scapulo-humeralis  muscle,  which  is,  however,  of  fail- 
size. 

The  subscapularis  is  a  single-headed  muscle  arising  from 
the  scapula  only. 

The  anconceus  has  a  single  origin  from  the  scapula,  and 
has  no  attachment  to  the  humerus. 

In  the  hind  limb  all  five  ylutcci  are  present ;  they  are  all 
large,  especially  gl.  I.  and  gl.  V.  The  ambiens  is  absent  as 
a  rule ;  it  is  occasionally  present,  but  is  then  imperfect, 
reaching  only  as  far  as  the  knee.  The  semitendinosus  and 
its  accessory  are  well  developed.  The  femorocaudal  is  a 
small  slender  muscle  ;  it  is  inserted  in  common  with  the 
accessory,  which  is  enormous  in  size.  In  Casuarius  Bcnncttii 
at  any  rate  there  is  an  additional  adductor  of  peculiar  origin  ; 
the  muscle  is  two-headed,  one  head  being  a  tendon  which 

1  J.   F.   MECKEL,  '  Beitrage  zur  Anatomie  des  indischen  Casuars,'  Arch.  f. 
Anat.  u.  Pliys.  1830,  p.  200,  1832,  p.  273. 

K  K  2 


500         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

springs  from  the  muscular  fibres  of  the  accessory  femoro- 
caudal,  the  other  fleshy  and  springing  from  the  pelvis 
just  behind  the  acetabulum.  It  is  inserted  along  the  femur 
below  the  vastus  interims  and  over  the  conjoined  fernoro- 
caudals. 

In  Strutliio  the  rhomboide-us  superficial  is  arises,  as  in 
carinate  birds,  from  the  spinous  processes  of  the  vertebrae 
(1-3  cervicals)  ;  it  is  inserted  only  on  to  the  scapula.  The 
rliomboideus  profundus  arises  from  the  spinous  processes  of 
the  last  cervical  and  first  dorsal  vertebrae  ;  it  is  inserted  on  to 
the  end  of  the  scapula.  The  serratus  superficialis  of  Stru- 
tliio  is  a  single  muscle  arising  as  two  or  three  bands,  either 
from  the  last  cervical  and  first  dorsal  rib  or,  in  addition, 
from  the  second  dorsal  rib.  It  is  attached  to  the  ventral 
border  of  the  scapula.  The  serratus  profundus  is  divisible 
into  a  more  superficial  and  a  deeper  layer ;  the  former  is 
the  less  extensive,  and  arises  either  by  a  slip  from  the  rib 
of  cervical  vertebra  19,  and  by  two  slips  from  the  last 
cervical  rib,  or  by  two  larger  slips  and  one  very  small  one 
from  between  the  last  cervical  and  the  first  dorsal  rib,  and 
from  the  latter ;  they  are  inserted  on  to  the  inner  border  of 
the  scapula.  The  deeper  layer  also  varies,  but  arises  in 
several  slips  from  the  last  two  cervical  ribs.  It  is  also 
inserted  on  to  the  inner  border  of  the  scapula.  The  coraco- 
brachialis  externus  is  very  large  as  compared  with  the  same 
muscle  in  the  carinate  birds ;  it  is  not  quite  so  large  as  in 
Eliea.  The  coraco-brachialis  interims  is  larger  in  Strutliio 
than  in  any  other  ratite.  The  biceps  arises  from  the  spina 
coracoidea ;  its  muscular  belly  is  not  well  developed  ;  it  is 
inserted  on  to  the  radius  and  ulna,  and  on  to  the  membrane 
between  them.  As  with  Ehea  the  deltoid  arises  from  the 
scapula  and  neighbouring  region  of  coracoid.  The  teres 
major,  again,  as  in  Rliea,  is  a  comparatively  large  muscle. 

On  p.  87  et  seq.  will  be  found  an  account  of  the  muscles  of 
the  hand  in  Palamedea,  which  I  have  taken  to  illustrate  that 
of  the  carinate  birds  in  general. 

The  differences  which  are  to  be  noticed  in  Strutliio  are, 
apart  from  minor  divergences,  the  following :— 


STEUTHIONES  501 

The  extensor  metacarpi  radialis  is  single. 

The  ectepicondylo-ulnaris  is  absent  or  fused  with  the 
extensor  metacarpi  ulnaris. 

The  extensor  digitorum  communis  supplies  only  the 
index. 

The  two pronators  form  only  one  muscle. 

The  flexor  digitorum  subliinis  and  the^.  dig.  profundus 
arise  by  a  single  head  from  the  flexor  condyle  of  the  humerus. 
The  two  muscles  immediately  divide ;  the  upper  part  ( = 
sublimis)  ends  in  two  tendons,  of  which  one  is  inserted  on  to 
radiale,  the  other  fuses  with  the  upper  tendon  of  profundus, 
and  also  gives  off  two  slips  which  surround  that  tendon  and, 
reuniting,  fuse  with  the  lower  tendon  of  the  profundus.  The 
lower  part  of  the  muscle  (=  profundus)  gives  off  two  ten- 
dons, of  which  the  upper  ends  on  the  first  metacarpal,  while 
the  lower  runs  to  the  base  of  the  last  phalanx  of  the 
index. 

The  flexor  metacarpi  ulnaris  ends  fleshily  on  ulnare,  but 
is  prolonged  beyond  this  bone,  receiving  also  some  fibres 
from  it,  to  the  metacarpal. 

The  radio-metacarpalis  ventralis — or  at  least  a  muscle 
which,  if  it  be  not  this,  is  not  found  in  Palamedea — arises 
from  the  ulna  and  not  from  the  radius. 

The  total  number  of  muscles  in  the  hand  of  the  ostrich 
is  twenty-three,  allowing  for  the  absent  ectepicondylo-ulnaris. 
The  additional  muscle  is  a  small  pronator  quadratus,  running 
from  the  ulna  to  the  radius. 

It  appears,  therefore,  that,  in  spite  of  the  small  size  of  the 
manus  of  the  ostrich  relatively  to  that  of  flying  birds,  there 
is  but  little  if  any  evidence  of  degeneration  in  its  musculature. 
On  the  contrary,  indeed,  for  it  might  be  said  that  the  wing 
muscles  of  Struthio  are  less  degenerate,  or  at  any  rate  less 
modified,  than  those  of  carinates  in  that  amount  of  muscle 
as  compared  with  tendon  is  greater.  The  complication  of 
the  conjoined  flexores  digitorum  is  highly  suggestive  of  a 
walking  or  climbing  animal.  It  seems  to  be  conceivable 
that  the  ostrich  branched  off  from  the  avian  stem  before  the 
power  of  flight  was  perfectly  established. 


502         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

The   ostrich1    has   the   complete    leg    muscle    formula 

ABXY  +  . 

The  femorocaudal  is  fleshy,  but  not  large,  and  has  no 
distinct  tendon  of  its  own.     It  blends  above  with  the  acces- 
sory.     The  accessory  femorocaudal  is  an  enormous  muscle 
ending  in  a  broad  thin  tendon  which  distally  is  lost  in  a 
fibrous  expansion  round  the  great  vessels  and  nerves  of  the 
thigh.     The  accessory  semitendinosus  is  small.    The  tendons 
of  the  semimembranosus    and  the    semitendinosus    become 
united  just  after  the  attachment  to  the  latter  of  the  acces- 
sory ;    they  soon,  however,  diverge,  the  semimembranosus 
being  continued  as  a  long  thin  tendon  down  the  leg  to  join 
the  tendon  of  the  gastrocnemius.     The  obturator  externus 
and  the  adductors  are  small  ;  the  obturator  interims  is  very 
large.     The  ambiens  does  not  arise  from  the  pectineal  pro- 
cess, or   even    from    the  pubis,  but    from    the   ilium.      An 
additional  adductor  muscle  which  has  been  referred  to  in 
the  cassowary  also  exists    in  the  ostrich  ;  it  has,  however, 
but    one    (tendinous)   head,  arising  from  the  femorocaudal 
muscle. 

The  rJiomboideus  super jicialis  of  Rliea  2  springs,  like  that 
of  Strutliio,  from  the  spinous  processes  of  the  cervical  verte- 
brae, but  from  a  larger  number  (four).  It  is  inserted  on  to 
the  coracoid  as  well  as  the  scapula.  The  rhomboideus  pro- 
fundus  arises  from  the  spinous  processes  of  the  first  three 
dorsals.  As  in  carinate  birds  the  serratus  superficialis  is 
composed  of  an  anterior  and  a  posterior  section  ;  the  former 
arises  as  a  single  band  from  the  last  cervical  rib,  and  is 
attached  to  the  front  part  of  the  scapula  ;  the  latter  is  large 
and  consists  of  three  broad  slips  springing  from  the  first 
three  dorsal  ribs  and  their  uncinate  processes  ;  it  is  attached 
to  the  hinder  end  of  the  scapula.  It  may  be,  FUEBEINGEE 
thinks,  that  a  portion  of  this  is  really  the  pars  superficialis 

1  S.  HAUGHTON,  '  On  the  Muscular  Mechanism  of  the  Leg  of  the  Ostrich,' 
P.  R.  Irish  Ac.  ix.  (lSf>G),  p.  ;">0 ;  A.  MACALISTEK,  '  On  the  Anatomy  of  the 
Ostrich,'  ibid.  1867,  p.  1  ;  Ai.ix,  '  Sur  1'Appareil  Locom.  de  1'Autruche  cle 
1'Afrique,'  Bull.  Soc.  Philom.  1868. 

-  S.  HAUGHTON,  '  Muscular  Anatomy  of  the  Khea,'  P.  E.  Irish  Ac.  ix.  (LSI)?), 
p.  497. 


STRUTHIONES  503 

of  the  serratus  profundus  ;  otherwise  that  muscle  only  con- 
sists of  the  deeper  portion  which  arises  as  two  slips  from  the 
last  two  cervical  ribs  and  runs  directly  backwards  to  be 
inserted  on  to  the  lower  border  of  the  scapula. 

The  coraco-brachialis  interims  is  largely  tendinous  ;  its 
origin,  contrary  to  what  is  found  in  other  Struthiones,  just 
extends  on  to  the  sternum.  The  origin  of  the  biccjt.s  is 
peculiar ;  it  arises  not  only  from  the  coracoid  spine  by  a 
rounded  tendon,  but  also  by  a  sheet  of  tendon  edged  with 
muscle  from  the  whole'  of  the  coracoid  and  from  just  an 
adjacent  bit  of  the  sternum.  It  is  inserted  on  to  both  radius 
and  ulna. 

In  the  manus  of  Rhea,  on  the  other  hand,  we  have  more 
evidence  of  degeneration  than  in  Stnithio.  There  are,  in  the. 
first  place,  only  twenty-one  muscles  at  most,  and  some  o! 
these  are  much  simplified. 

The  muscles  that  appear  to  be  totally  wanting  are  (1)  thf 
extensor  digitorutn  coinmunis,  (2)  the  pronator  profiindiu. 

The  extensor  indicis  is  only  represented  by  the  belly 
arising  from  the  wrist.  The  flexor  sublimis  may  possibly  be 
represented  by  a  slip  of  muscle  arising  from  the  tendinous 
edge  of  the  flexor  metacarpi  ulnaris,  which  goes  to  be  inserted, 
partly  by  tendon,  partly  by  fleshy  fibres,  on  to  the  ulnare  and 
base  of  metacarpals  2  and  3. 

As  in  the  ostrich  the  radio-metacarpalis  ventralis  arises 
from  the  ulna.  In  Rhea  there  is  a  special  peculiarity  in  the 
presence  of  a  muscular  slip  running  from  the  tendon  of  the 
extensor  metacarpi  ulnaris  near  to  its  insertion  to  the  extensor 
indicis.  Finally  the  ectepicondylo-ulnaris  is  distinct. 

In  the  leg  there  is  no  femorocauda <l ,  the  formula  being 
BXY  +  .  The  accessory  femorocan <lal  is  enormous,  and  there 
is  a  good  struthious  accessory  adductor.  Glut  mix  /iri/nus  is 
very  large  and  overlaps  biceps  ;  glut(cus  V.  is  present  and 
large. 

In  Dromaus1  the  rhomboideus   superficialis    and  pro- 


'   S.  HAUGHTOX,  'Muscular  Anatomy  of  the  Emu,'  P.  E.  Irish  Ac.  ix. 
p.  487  ;  Cr.  ROLLESTON,  '  On  the  Homologies  of  certain  Muscles  connected  with 
the  Shoulder  Joint,'  Trans.  Linn.  Soc.  xxvi.  1870,  p.  (ii)'.i. 


504         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

fnndus  arise  from  ribs,  the  latter  from  only  one,  the  former 
from  three. 

The  biceps  apparently  arises  like  that  of  Eliea. 

In  the  leg  the  ambiens  and  the  f emor  oca  u  declare  wanting^ 

the  formula  being,  therefore,  BXY-.     All  the  gluteals  are 

present,   and  the   first   covers    the   biceps.       The   accessory 

femorocaudal    is    very   large,    but    it    does   not    appear   to> 

possess  the  struthious  accessory  muscle. 

The  muscles  of  the  wing  of  Apteryx  are,  of  course,  de- 
scribed by  OWEX  in  his  account  of  the  anatomy  of  the  bird. 
But  a  fuller  and  later  description,  with  illustrations,  is  to 
be  found  in  T.  J.  PAEKEE'S  paper  upon  Apteryx,  and  in 

FUEBEINGEE. 

There  is  no  rhomboideus  profundus.  The  serratus  super- 
ficialis  is  one  muscle  arising  from  the  first  two  cervical  ribs  ; 
it  has  the  pars  metapatagialis  wanting  in  the  other  ratites. 
There  is  also  &pectoralis  abdominalis  wanting  elsewhere,  but 
no  latiss.  dor  si  anterior.  The  latiss.  dor  si  metapatagialis  is 
well  developed. 

The  muscles  running  from  the  shoulder  girdle  to  the 
humerus  are  reduced  to  six  ;  these  are  the  two  pectorals,  the 
deltoides  (single),  the  teres  major,  the  coraco-brachialis  longus,, 
and  the  c.  br.  brevis. 

The  biceps  is  single-headed,  arising  from  the  coracoid  ;  it 
has  long  tendons  at  each  end  and  a  small  belly  in  the  middle  ; 
it  is  inserted  only  on  to  the  radius.  The  anconceus  longus 
fuses  early  with  the  single-headed  triceps. 

As  might  be  expected  from  the  presence  of  but  a  single 
finger,  the  muscles  of  the  hand  are  much  reduced.  Perhaps 
the  most  noteworthy  peculiarity  is  the  presence  of  the  gallina- 
ceous and  tinamine  muscle,  the  entepicondylo-ulnaris. 
There  is  a  peculiar  accessory  bracJiialis  anticus,  seemingly 
only  met  with  in  Apteryx.  The  remaining  ten  muscles  are 
bracJiialis  <n/ticus,  ectepicondylo-ulnaris,  ectepicondtjlo- 
radialis,  pronator  ('?  sublimis  or  profundus},  extensor  meta- 
carpi  ulnaris,  extensor  indicis  longus,  with  one  head  from 
contiguous  surfaces  of  radius  and  ulna  inserted  in  A.  australis 
on  to  carpo-metacarpus,  in  A.  Bulleri  on  to  base  of  distal 


STRUTIIIONES 


505 


phalanx,  extensor  longus  pollicis  '  inserted  on  to  the  thumb 
side  of  the  carpo-metacarpus,  flexor  digitorum  profundus, 
ulni-metacarpalis  vent  rails?  '  In  one  specimen  (A.  an  sir  alls') 
a  minute  tendon  was  seen  preaxial  of  that  of  the  deep  flexor 
and  passing  to  the  preaxial  side  of  the  carpo-metacarpus,'  a 
rudimentary  Interosseous  dor  sails  in 
one  specimen  of  A.  Bi/Ueri. 

In  the  leg  the  muscle  formula  is 
complete. 

The  tongue  in  all  these  birds  is 
aflat  triangular  organ, relatively  small 
in  size.  The  accompanying  cut  (fig. 
234)  shows  its  characters  in  Rhea  ; 
it  does  not  show  any  differences  of 
importance,  in  the  other  genera. 

The  course  of  the  intestine  in 
Strutliio  camelus  is  shown  in  fig. 
12,  p.  28.  It  will  be  observed  that 
it  is  in  many  respects  exceedingly 
simple  :  thus  the  greater  part  of 
the  small  intestine  is  thrown  into  a 
series  of  short  folds,  with  none  of 
the  longer  and  more  specialised  folds 
found  in  many  other  birds.  The 
duodenal  loop  is  the  only  part  of  the 
small  intestine  which  shows  a  special 
fold,  and  this  is  a  loop  with  a  short 
lateral  diverticulum — Y-shaped,  in  fact. 

The  next  most  characteristic  feature  of  the  intestines  of  this 
bird  is  the  enormous  large  intestine,  which  is  for  the  greater 
part  of  its  extent  thrown  into  folds  like  those  of  the  small  intes- 
tine. In  Casuariiis  (see  fig.  11,  p.  28)  the  small  intestine  is 
quite  as  simple  as  that  of  the  ostrich  ;  the  large  intestine  is 
short  and  straight.  The  emu  is  practically  identical  with  the 

1  PAEKEE   terms  it  extensor    metacarpi    radialis    brevis.      I   identify  it  as 
above. 

'J  Flexor  ca>'2>i  rmlialis  of  PARKER. 


FIG.  234. — TONGUE  AND 
WINDPIPE  OF  Rhea  Dar- 
wini  (AFTER  GADOW). 

.V,  liyil(l'jln,-,;il    Ili-vve. 


506         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

cassowary,  but  the  duodenal  loop  was  strong,  longer,  and 
narrower.  It  is  interesting  to  find  from  MITCHELL'S  paper 
that  the  intestine  of  Ehea  is  somewhat  intermediate  between 
that  of  Struthio  and  that  of  Casuarius.  '  The  anterior  portion 
resembled  Casuarius  ;  the  rectum  had  an  expansion  recalling 
that  in  the  ostrich,  but  much  less  strongly  marked.' 

The  following  table   contains  measurements  of  the  ali- 
mentary tract 1  in  the  Struthiones  : — 


— 

Small  Int. 

Large  Int. 

CSBO. 

Ft.   In. 

Ft.   In. 

Ft.     In.  Ft.  In. 

Rlwa  macrorhyncha  9 

4     2 

1 

1     4i,l     9 

»                            11                       O 

4     5f 

1    11 

2     9 

M                                  )) 

5 

1     4 

2 

Rhca  amcricfiita 

15     3 

1     8 

2     4,    2     9 

9      . 

9     8 

2     2 

4     8 

"              ..         (young) 

.  5  10 

1     4 

2     6,    2     8 

Struthio  camelus  9     . 

23     1 

32     9 

2     8,    2  11 

9     . 

23     4 

30     8 

2  10A 

9     . 

23 

29     8 

2     7" 

<?     . 

24     6 

31     8 

2     8,    3     1 

<?     . 

23 

24     9 

1  10 

9     . 

28     6 

33     2 

2     7 

Casuarius  uniappendiculatus  9 

3     8 

10 

4i,        5 

,,          Beccarii  9 

4     8 

1 

4j 

,,          picticollis  c? 

4 

10 

4 

„          Benncttii  £ 

3  10i 

1H 

3i.        3f 

Apteryx  australis 

4     4 

4| 

t  *                    *t 

1 

„        Oiveni  $ 

3     4i 

4I 

1 

Dromceus  NOVCB  Hollandice 

10     6 

fl 

5 

Casuarius  bicarunculatus 

5 

1 

7 

I 

All  the  Struthiones  have  cseca,  which  are  especially  deve- 
loped in  the  ostrich,  where  they  have  been  described  by  Sir 
EVEEARD  HOME  as  well  as  by  GADOW.  Apart  from  their 
length  and  structure  the  most  remarkable  fact  about  them 
is  that,  in  contradistinction  to  what  we  find  in  other  birds, 
they  are  inserted  by  a  common  orifice. 

These  caeca  dwindle  gradually  in  diameter  towards  the 
tip,  and  are  provided  internally  with  a  spiral  valve  of  about 
twenty  turns.  I  have  attempted  to  compare  these  caeca  with 
those  of  the  Martineta  tinamou  (seep.  488).  In  the  latter 
bird  the  caeca  are  furnished  with  numerous  short  diverticula, 


1  E.  EEMOUCHAMPS,  '  Sur  la  Glande  Gastrique  clu  Nandou,'  Bull.  Ac.  Belg.  1. 
(1880),  p.  114. 


STRUTHIONES 


507 


which  are  the  outward  expression  of  a  reticulate  internal 
structure,  like  a  ruminant's  stomach.  Towards  the  extremity 
of  the  caecum  the  folds  cease  to  be  so  definitely  arranged  in 
a  network,  and  some  to  present  an  indication  of  a  spiral  dis- 
position. Rhea  has  also  very  large  caeca,  and  there  are 
traces  of  the  spiral  valve  of  the  ostrich.  The  caeca  of  the 
cassowaries  and  the  emu,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  table  of 
measurement,  are  very  much  smaller  than  those  of  the 
ostrich  and  Rhea.  GADOW  mentions  an  obscure  formation  of 


FIG.  235.— SYRINX  OF  Apteryx  FIG.  236.— THE  SAME,  FROM  BEHIND. 

Mantelli.      FRONT     VIEW. 
(AFTER  FORBES.) 

o.oo,  ill  this  and  following 
figs.,  tracheal  rings. 

an  internal  network  by  the  presence  of  folds  which  may  be 
compared  with  the  structure  of  the  caeca  of  Calodromas, 
already  referred  to.  The  caeca  of  Apteryx  are  long  and  nar- 
row, like  those  of  the  tinamous  (excluding  Calodromas) . 

Struthio  has  the  most  remarkable  liver  of  all  the  Stru- 
thiones.  The  two  lobes  are  intimately  fused  into  one  heart- 
shaped  lobe.  There  is  an  indication  of  a  spigelian  lobe,  as 
with  other  Struthiones,  and  the  single  bile  duct  (there  is  no 
gall  bladder)  opens,  exceptionally,  only  4  cm.  from  the 
pylorus.  Ehea  has,  as  a  rule,  no  gall  bladder,  but  GADOW 
found  traces  of  one  in  a  specimen  dissected.  This  occurred 
(see  figs.  19, 20,  p.  34)  both  in  Eli.Darwini  and  Eh.  americu-n«. 
Casuarius  and  Dromceus  have  a  well-developed  gall  bladder, 


508         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

and  MITCHELL  noted  in  the  former  genus  that  the  gall 
duct  and  the  pancreatic  duct  opened  into  a  distinct  diverticu- 
lum  of  the  duodenum. 


FIG.  237.— SYEINX  OF  Rhea  amcricana.     FROXT  VIEW.     (AFTEK  FOEBES.) 

In  Apteryx  there  is  a  gall  bladder. 

The  chief  source  of  information  about  the  windpipe  and 


FIG.  238. — THE  SAME,  FROM  BEHIND. 

syrinx  of   the   Struthionidae  is    contained    in  a  memoir  by 
FOEBES.  J    These  birds,  as  a  rule,  possess  no  specially  modified 

1   '  On  the  ....  Trachea  in  the  Eatite  Birds,'  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  778. 


STRUTIIIONES 


509 


syrinx,  a  statement,  however,  which  does  not,  as  was  first 
shown  by  ALix,1  apply  to  RJiea.     In  that  bird  (see  woodcut, 


FIG.  239.— SYRINX  OF  Casuarius  galcatus.     FRONT  VIEW.!  (AFTER  FORBES.) 


FIG.  240. — THE  SAME,  FROM  BEHIND. 

figs.  237,  238)  there  is  not  merely  a  pair  of  intrinsic  muscles,2 

1  Bull.  Soc.  Phil.  1874,  p.  38. 

-  First  noted,  apparently,  by  PARKER  in  TV.  Z.  S.  vol.  v.  p.  238,  foot  note. 


510         STRUCTURE   AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

but  some  considerable  modification  of  the  last  tracheal  and 
early  bronchial  rings.  The  last  four  tracheal  rings  are 
soldered  together  to  form  a  cartilaginous  box,  which  behind 
and  in  front  shows  no  lines  of  demarcation  between  the 
several  rings  of  which  it  is  composed.  There  is  a  membrana 


FIG.  241. — TRACHEAL  POUCH  OF  EMU  CUT  OPEN  (AFTER  MURIE). 

Tp,  Tp1,  the  pouch  ;  ap,  opening  into  trachea  ;  c.rf.s,  prolongation  of  upper  end  of  pouch  ; 

/&,  /&',  fibrous  glands. 

tympaniformis  and  a  pessulus  ;  the  first  three  or  four 
bronchial  semi-rings  are  different  from  those  which  follow. 
The  remaining  Batitse  have  no  distinct  syrinx.  In  Struthio, 
for  example  (see  figs.  43,  44,  p.  64),  although  there  is  a  mem- 
brana tympaniformis  completing  the  bronchi  internally,  there 
is  neither  pessulus  nor  intrinsic  muscles.  The  syrinx  of 
Apteryx  is  about  on  the  same  level.  Casuarius  is  rather 


STRUTHIONES  .-,11 

different.  The  last  few  tracheal  rings  are  incomplete 
posteriorly  ;  the  space  left  between  them  is  continuous  with 
a  membrana  tympaniformis.  There  is  no  pessulus  or 
intrinsic  musculature  ;  in  the  division  of  the  last  tracheal 
rings  there  is  a  suggestion,  faint  perhaps,  of  the  tracheal 
syrinx.  Dromceus,  as  might  be  imagined,  closely  resembles 
Casuarius.  It  has,  however,  a  peculiarity  which  has  been 
fully  gone  into  by  MuETE,1  who  quotes  the  pre-existing 
literature  upon  the  matter.  In  front  of  the  trachea  some 
way  down  the  neck  a  certain  number  of  the  tracheal  rings 
are  deficient  in  front  ;  and  the  lining  membrane  of  the  tube 
here  projects  as  a  sac,  which  can  be  inflated,  and  has,  no 
doubt,  something  to  do  with  the  drumming  voice  of  the 
bird.  The  accompanying  illustration  shows  this  peculiarity, 
which  is  not  met  with  in  the  cassowary.2 

As  to  osteology?  in  RJtea  (fig.  77,  p.  140)  the  vomer  tends 
to  be  bifurcate  posteriorly  where  it  is  much  widened  out,  and 
articulates  both  with  the  palatines  and  the  pterygoids.  The 
palatines  are  posteriorly  flat  and  fenestrated.  The  maxillo- 
palatines  are  thin  plates  which  meet  the  anterior  bifurcation 
of  the  vomer.  The  descending  process  of  each  lacrymal 
has  a  large  foramen,  the  presence  of  which  led  B.  0.  CUNNING- 
HAM to  distinguish  Eh.  Darwini  from  Eh.  americana,  where 
the  foramen  is  simply  a  notch.  GADOW,  however,  showed 
that  the  question  of  notch  or  foramen  is  simply  individual 
variability,  and  I  am  in  a  position  to  assert  the  same  of  Eh. 
macrorhyncha.  The  existence  of  a  complete  descending 
process  of  the  nasal  has  been  denied.  PAEKEB,  however, 
has  figured  an  ascending  pillar  of  bone  from  the  maxillary, 
and  in  a  specimen  of  Rh.  macrorhyncha  this  was  joined  by  a 
suture  to  the  anterior  margin  of  the  lacrymal.  It  has,  it  is 
true,  no  connection  with  the  premaxillary  part  of  the  nasal  ; 
but  this  can  scarcely  interfere  with  a  comparison  of  the 

1  '  On  the  Tracheal  Pouch  of  the  Emu,'  P.  7.  S.  1.867,  p.  40o. 

-  For  the  lungs  and  air  sacs  of  Struthiones  see  ante,  p.  495.  Those  of 
Rhea  have  been  described  by  W.  N.  PARKER,  '  Note  on  the  Respiratory  Organs 
of  Rhea,'  P.  7.  S.  1883,  p.  141  ;  of  Dromceus  by  MALM,  'Om  Luftrur-s-ickrn,' 
&c.,  Off.  K.  TV/.  Ak.  Forh.  1880,  p.  33. 

3  PANDER  and  D'ALTON,  Die  Skclcte  rfcr  Ktraussartic;cn  VUgcL    Bonn,  1827. 


512 


STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


bone  to  the  outer  part  of  a  nasal  and  to  the  naso-maxillary 
of  the  Dinornithidse  (see  below). 

There  is  a  well-developed,  though  thin  and  curved, 
ectethmoid  lamina,  which  joins  the  maxillo-palatine  below 
and  the  descending  process  of  the  lacrymal  above.  This  has 
been  also  stated  to  be  absent. 

Rhea  has  seventeen  cervical  vertebra.  The  atlas  is 
notched,  as  in  Struthio,  but  not  so  widely.  In  the  shoulder 
girdle  the  procoracoid  is  short,  but  is  continued  down  to  the 
articulations  of  the  coracoid  by  the  menibrana  coracoidea, 
of  which,  in  a  specimen  of  Rhea  macrorhynclia  before  me,  a 


FIG.  242.— STERNUM  OF  Rhea  (AFTER  MIVART). 
cc,  coracoid  grooves  ;  ca,  anterior  lateral  process  ;  /,  keel  i  ? )  :  It;  posterior  lateral  process. 

portion  is  ossified  as  a  thin  spicule  of  bone  shutting  in  the 
foramen  coracoideum.  The  sternum  (see  fig.  242)  has  a 
median  ventral  prominence  and  two  lateral  thin  rings  of  the 
bone,  which  may  be  indications  of  foramina.  Three  (some- 
times four)  pairs  of  ribs  reach  the  sternum.  The  pelvis 
(fig.  243)  has  a  small  pectineal  process.  The  pubes  join 
the  ischia  posteriorly,  and  anteriorly  an  interobturator  pro- 
cess, of  which  there  are  faint  indications  in  Struthio,  unite 
the  two  bones.  Posteriorly  the  ilia  are  attached  to  the 
ischia. 


STRUTHIONES 


513 


The  structure  of  the  skull  of  the  emu  :  is  not  widely 
different  from  that  of  the  skull  of  Ehea,  The  vomer  is 
widely  bifurcate  behind,  where  it  articulates  both  with 
pterygoids  and  palatines.  The  basipterygoids  articulate 
with  the  pterygoids  at  the  extreme  posterior  end  of  the 


il 


FIG.  243. — PELVIS  OF  Rlica  (AFTER  MIVART). 

il,  ilium  ;  Ip,  peetiueal  process  ;  at,  antitrochauteric  process  ;  st,  supratrochanteric  process  ; 
jjs,  interobturator  process  ;  ;',  ischiuin  ;  p,  pubis. 

latter,  instead  of  nearly  halfway  along  them,  as  in  other 
birds.  The  maxillo-palatines  are  hollow  swollen  plates, 
which  unite  with  the  vomer  and  premaxillaries,  but  come 
apart  in  the  dried  skull.  The  descending  process  of  the 
lacrymal  has  a  foramen,  as  in  Ehea.  It  joins  the  thin 
lamina  of  the  ectethmoid.  The  descending  process  of  the 

1  W.  K.  PARKER,  '  On  the  Structure  and  Development  of  the  Skull  in  the 
Ostrich  Tribe,'  Phil.  Trans..  1808,  p.  113. 

L  L 


514 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 


nasal  is  only  represented  in  the  specimen  before  me  by  a 
minute  pointed  bit  of  bone  attached  above  to  a  point  cor- 
responding to  that  whence  the  '  naso-maxillary '  arises  in 
Rhea. 

Dromceus  has  twenty  cervical  vertebra.     The   atlas   is 


FIG.  244. — SKULL  OF  EMU  (AFTER  HUXLEY). 

Pmx,  premaxilla  ;  Mxp,  maxillo-palatine  ;   T"»,  vonier  ;  PI,  palatine  ;  I't,  pterygoid  : 

*,  basipterygoid  process. 

notched,  very  nearly  perforated  (fig.  66,  p.  118).  Thejprocora- 
coid  is  not  quite  so  well  developed  as  in  Rkea,  but  there 
are  a  pair  of  rudimentary  clavicles. 

The  sternum  (fig.  74,  p.  129)  '  much  resembles  that  of 
Rhea ;  '  it  is  not  notched  and  is  rather  pointed  at  its 
extremity.  Three  or  four  ribs  reach  it. 


STBUTHIONES 


515 


The  pelvis  (fig.  245)  has  the  pubes  and  ischia  quite  free 
posteriorly  in  the  dry  skeleton ;  but  they  are  united  by 
cartilage,  as  in  the  latter  with  the  ilium.  The  interobturator 
process  is  present,  and  shuts  off  an  anterior  portion  of  the 
obturator  foramen. 

The  skull  of  Casuarius  :  is  very  like  that  of  Drom&us. 

The  number  of  cervical  verterbrce  in  Casuarius  varies 
from  eighteen  to  nineteen.  In  the  atlas  the  indication  of  the 

il 


il 


FIG.  245. — PELVIS  OF  EMU  (AFTER  MIVART).     LETTERS  AS  IN  FIG.  243. 


closing  of  the  notch  for  the  odontoid  process  may  be  com- 
pleted, as  is  shown  in  the  cut  (fig.  68,  p.  118).  The  shoulder 
girdle  is  very  like  that  of  the  emu,  possessing  also  rudimen- 
tary clavicles.  The  membrana  coracoidea  may,  however, 
be  ossified,  and  there  are  two  foramina.  One  of  these  lies 
between  the  membrana  coracoidea  and  the  coracoid,  and 
is  therefore  apparently  the  homologue  of  the  foramen  in 

1  W.  H.  FLOWER,  '  On  the  Skeleton  of  the  Australian  Cassowary,'  P.  Z.  S. 
1871,  p.  32. 


L  L  "2 


516 


STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


Dromceus ;  the  other  is  smaller  and  further  back  in  the 
substance  of  the  coracoid. 

The  sternum  (fig.  246)  is  an  exaggeration  of  that  of 
Dromceus,  being  longer  and  more  pointed  posteriorly.  Four 
or  five  ribs  articulate  with  it. 

The  pelvis  too,  though  very  like  that  of  the  emu,  is  (fig. 
247)  an  advance  upon  it  in  structure.  There  may  be  (C. 


CO, 


ca 


FIG.  246. — STERNUM  or  CASSOWARY  (AFTER  MIVART). 
c,  coracoid  groove ;  mx,  posterior  eud.    Other  letters  as  in  fig.  242. 

galeatus)  or  may  not  be  an  osseous  union  between  pubis 
and  ischium  and  between  ischium  and  ilium. 

The  ostrich  skull  is  rather  unlike  that  of  the  other  two. 

The  vomer  is  very  short '  and  does  extend  back  as  far  as 
the  articulation  of  the  palatines  and  pterygoids.  The  latter 
bones  articulate  not  only  with  the  basipterygoid  processes 
but  with  the  basisphenoid  ;  they  bear  off  the  palatines,  which 

1  '  W.  GRUBER,  '  Ueber  das  Thranenbein  cler  straussartigen  Vogel,'  &c.,  Bull. 
Ac.  Sci.  St.-Pttersb.  1855,  p.  161.  It  varies  somewhat  in  length  according  to 
FURBRINGER,  and  was  found  in  one  case  to  be  not  unlike  the  vomer  of  an 
segithognathous  bird. 


STRUTHIOXES 


517 


run  forward  in  a  straight  course.  The  maxillo-palatines 
articulate  with  the  vomer. 

The  axial  skeleton  has  been  described  in  the  greatest 
detail  by  MiVAKT.1 

There  are  twenty  cervical  vertebra;.,  and  then  five  which 
have  ribs  articulating  with  the  sternum.  The  atlas  is  more 
simply  ring-like  than  in  other  birds  ;  it  has  a  very  wide  notch 


il 


FIG.  247. — PELVIS  OF  CASSOWARY  (AFTER  MIVAKT). 

pl,  pelvic  rib.     Other  letters  as  in  fig.  243. 

for  the  odontoid  process  of  the  axis.     The  catapophyses  of 
the  seventeenth  cervical  unite. 

The  sternum  has  a  raised  and  flattened  tract  posteriorly, 
which  may  be  the  equivalent  of  the  keel ;  it  has  two  posterior 
lateral  processes,  which  extend  beyond  the  median  portion  of 
the  bone. 

1  '  On  the  Axial  Skeleton  of  the  Ostrich,'  TV.  Z.  S.  viii.  p.  385. 


518         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 

The  pelvis  is  remarkable  for  the  symphysis  of  the  pubes, 
which  is  shown  in  the  accompanying  figure  (fig.  250).  The 
ischia  also  unite  each  with  its  corresponding  pubis.  There 
is  a  well-developed  pectineal  process.  GARROD  '  and  F.  DAR- 
WIN described  a  small  ossification  attached  to  the  front 


ffflX 


FIG.  248. — SKULL  OF  OSTRICH  (AFTEE  HUXLEY). 
A",  rostrum.    Other  letters  as  in  fig.  244. 

margin  of  the  pubis  which  may  conceivably  be  the  homologue 
of  the  marsupial  bone  of  the  marsupialia. 

The  skull  of  Apteryx  has  been  described  by  OWEN  2  as 

1  '  Notes  on  an  Ostrich  lately  living  in  the  Society's  Gardens,'  P.  Z.  S.  1872, 
p.  356. 

'•'  '  On  the  Apteryx  australis,'  Trans.  Z.  S.  ii.  p.  57,  and  iii.  p.  277. 


STRUTHIONES 


519 


regards  its  adult  structure,  and  the  development  has  been 
lately  treated  of  by  T.  J.  PARKER.1 

Apart  from  the  very  elongated  anterior  part  of  the  skull 


CO, 


ca. 


FIG.  249. — STERNUM  OF  OSTRICH  (AFTER  MIVART). 
LETTERS  AS  IN  FIG.  74. 

the  characteristics  are  those  of  the  struthious  birds  generally. 
The  Y-shaped  posterior  end  of  the  vomer  bears  off  from 


il 


FIG.  250. — PELVIS  OF  OSTRICH  (AFTER  MIVART). 
sy,  sympbysis  pubis.    Otber  letters  as  in  fig.  243. 

articulation  with  the  rostrum  the  palatines  a^id  pterygoids. 
The    basipterygoid   processes    are    large.     As    in    all    other 

1  '  Observations  on  the  Anatomy  and  Development  of  A /it, •)•//.>:,'  Phil.  Tran 
clxxxii.  (1891),  p.  25. 


520  STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

struthious  birds,  with  the  exception  of  the  adult  cassowary 
and  the  Dinornithidae,  the  ossified  ethmoid  appears  on  the 
dorsal  surface  of  the  skull  between  the  nasals.  In  the  adult 
the  sutures  disappear,  and  the  bones  are  so  firmly  united 
that  the  quadrate  and  the  columella  are  the  only  movable 
bones  in  the  skull.  The  quadrate  has  a  two-headed  otic 
process,  differing  so  far  from  other  struthious  birds  and 
agreeing  with  the  Carinatae. 

PAEKEK'S  statements  as  to  this  matter  are  opposed  to 
those  of  FUEBEINGEE  in  the  table  of  differential  characters 
which  he  gives  in  his  great  work.  The  vertebral  column  is 
described  by  the  authors  already  quoted  as  well  as  by 
MIVAET.'  There  are  sixteen  cervical  vertebra,  and  four  ribs 
articulate  with  the  sternum.  The  atlas  is  either  perforated 
or  only  notched  by  the  odontoid  process,  and  it  is  imperfectly 
joined  above,  not  always,  but  in  many  cases,  at  the  summit 
of  the  neural  arch.  The  tenth  and  eleventh  vertebra  have 
sometimes  a  ventral  hypapophysial  canal,  as  in  Herodiones. 
MIVAET  found  this  to  be  the  case  with  A.  Oweni.  I  found 
the  catapophyses  to  approach  each  other  very  closely  in 
that  species  and  in  A.  australis,  but  not  to  fuse. 

The  sternum  is  somewhat  variable  in  form.  Occasionally 
the  posterior  lateral  processes  exceed  the  middle  process  in 
length  ;  sometimes  they  are  less  or  subequal.  As  a  rule  the 
sternum  appears  to  be  broader  than  long,  but  this  is  not 
invariably  the  case.  The  varying  proportions  of  the  sternum 
and  the  lengths  of  its  several  processes  seem  to  offer  cha- 
racters diagnostic  of  the  species.  In  two  specimens  of  A. 
Bulleri  PAEKEE  found  a  '  low  ridge  nearly  as  well  marked  as 
the  vestigial  keel  of  Stringops.''  The  shoulder  girdle,  like  the 
sternum,  is  subject  to  great  individual  variation.  The  relative 
lengths  of  the  scapula  and  coracoid  vary  ;  the  curve  of  the 
scapula  varies,  but  it  is  in  the  coracoid  that  the  most  inte- 
resting variations  occur.  The  coracoid  notch,  converted  by  a 
ligament  into  a  foramen,  but  being  in  the  embryo  a  distinct 
foramen  in  the  cartilage,  is  sometimes  absent,  its  place  being 

1  '  On   the  Axial   Skeleton   of  the   Struthionidse,'   Trans.  Z.  S.  vol.  x.  p.  1. 
See  also  ALLIS,  '  On  the  Skeleton  of  the  Apteryx,'  J.  Linn.  Soc.  1873,  p.  523. 


STRUTIIIONES  ->i'l 

indicated  by  a  thinning  of  the  bone.  The  rudiments  of 
tuberosities  for  the  attachment  of  the  missing  furcula  are 
often  fairly  evident.  The  coraco-scapular  angle  oscillated 
between  150  and  122.  There  is  a  supracoracoid  foramen. 

In  the  pelvis  there  is  no  fusion  between  ilium,  ischium, 
and  pubis.  The  pectineal  process  is  long  and  appears  to  be 
ossified  equally  by  pubis  and  ilium.  In  the  skeleton  of  the 
adult  foot  two  of  the  tarsals  are  present  as  free  bones  not 
fused  with  either  the  tibia  or  the  metatarsus  ;  these  are, 
according  to  T.  J.  PAEKEE,  two  centralia. 

The  bones  of  the  wing  in  the  struthious  birds  are  espe- 
cially reduced  in  the  emu,  cassowary,  and  Apteryx. 

The  wing  of  the  adult  emu  (Droiium*  ater)  has  been 
figured  and  described  by  PAEKEE.  There  is  no  trace  of  a 
separate  carpus  either  in  young  or  adult.  In  a  six-weeks-old 
chick  the  first  rnetacarpal  is  half  the  length  of  the  second, 
but  in  the  adult  it  is  reduced  to  a  small  prominence  not  a 
third  of  its  length.  There  is  no  trace  of  a  third  metacarpal. 
The  single  finger  (the  index)  has  three  phalanges  and  a  long 
strong  clawr.  '  The  wings  of  an  adult  are  about  the  size  of 
those  of  a  jay  or  a  bower  bird  ;  in  the  young  chick,  with  legs 
the  size  of  those  of  a  turkey,  the  wings  are  no  longer  than  a 
wren's.' 

In  Apteryx  the  wing  is  in  some  respects  further  reduced 
than  that  of  the  emu  ;  in  others  less  so.  In  the  adult  A. 
australis  (T.  J.  PAEKEE)  there  are  no  distinct  carpals,  but  a 
broad  flattened  carpo-metacarpus,  with  traces  of  being  com- 
posed of  three  metacarpals.  There  are  sometimes  two  and 
sometimes  three  phalanges — the  last  clawed — to  the  single 
finger  (index)  ;  where  one  is  atrophied  it  is  the  second.  In 
A.  Oweni  there  appears  to  be  invariably  a  distinct  radiale  ; 
the  third  metacarpal  is  more  distinct  than  in  the  last  species, 
and  in  one  case  wras  entirely  free.  The  clawed  index  has 
two  or  three  phalanges.  The  single  example  of  A.  Haa^ti 
which  PAEKEE  examined  had  an  ulnare  as  well  as  a  radiale 
in  the  carpus,  a  fairly  distinct  metacarpale  III.,  and  three 
phalanges  to  the  index. 

In  A.  Bullcri  the  manus  shows  much  greater  variations  ; 


522         STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

in  one  specimen  a  radiale  is  present  in  the  carpus,  in  another 
a  bone  which  appears  to  represent  radiale  and  distal  carpals  ; 
this  specimen  had  a  free  third  metacarpal.  In  two  other 
instances  there  is  a  carpo-nietacarpus,  as  in  A.  cms  trails. 
There  are  two  or  three  phalanges  and,  as  always,  a  claw  to 
the  index. 

The  development  of  the  manus  of  Apteryx  shows  plainly 
what  is  also  apparent  from  its  adult  structure,  that  it  is  in  a 
condition  of  degeneration.  Traces  of  three  distal  carpals,  as 
well  as  of  radiale  and  ulnare,  are  visible  ;  all  the  metacarpals 
are  distinct,  the  third  being  as  long  as  the  second  and  having 
a  rudimentary  phalanx. 

The  -ZEpyornithidse,  containing  the  type  genus  sEpyornis 
and  a  recently  established  new  genus,  Mullerornis,1  was  for 
some  time  only  known  by  the  subfossil  egg  and  by  the 
bones  of  the  hind  limb.  More  recently  Messrs.  MILNE- 
ED  WARDS  and  GEANDIDIEE,  and  more  recently  again  Mr. 
C.  W.  ANDREWS,  have  described  other  parts  of  the  skeleton, 
so  that  now,  though  there  are  still  many  lacunae,  we  have  a 
fair  knowledge  of  several  important  parts  of  the  skeleton. 
This  family  is  limited  to  Madagascar,  where  its  remains  have 
been  found  chiefly  in  marshes. 

The  skull  is  only  incompletely  known — the  palate,  for 
instance,  so  important  in  determining  its  affinities,  is  quite 
unknown — being  only  represented  by  what  is  little  more 
than  a  calvaria,  and  by  an  imperfect  mandible.  The  occipital 
condyle  is  pedunculate,  as  in  the  moas.  The  frontal  region 
of  the  skull  is  covered  by  many  pits,  which  are  arranged  in 
a  fairly  regular  fashion  ;  it  is  suggested  that  these  may  be 
the  marks  of  the  inplantation  of  feathers,  of  which,  therefore, 
the  Mpyornis  may  have  possessed  a  frontal  crest — a  feature 
which  has  also  been  observed  in  certain  moas.  There  are 
also,  as  in  the  moas,  a  prominent  basi-temporal  platform, 

1  '  Observations  sur  les  JEpyornis  de  Madagascar,'  Comptcs  Bend,  cxviii. 
1894,  p.  122  ;  '  Sur  les  Ossements  d'Oiseaux,'  &c.,  Bull.  Mus.  Nat.  Hist.  1895, 
p.  9  ;  '  On  the  Skull,  Sternum,  and  Shoulder  Girdle  of  JEpyprnis,''  Ibis  (7),  ii. 
p.  376  ;  '  On  some  Remains  of  JEpyornis  in  the  British  Museum,'  P.  Z.  S.  1894, 
p.  108. 


STEUTHIONES 


523 


an  open  Eustachian  groove,  and  a  similar  structure  of  the 
articular  facet  for  the  quadrate. 

The  sternum  is  singular  by  its  extraordinary  breadth 
and  great  shortness ;  the  length  in  the  middle  line  is  only 
one-fifth  of  the  greatest  breadth.  The  hinder  border  is  not 
notched,  but  forms  a  '  gently  concave  curve.'  The  antero- 
lateral  processes  are  stout.  There  is,  of  course,  no  keel. 
The  coraco-scapula  is  typically  ratite,  the  angle  between 


FIG.  251. — SHOULDER  GIRDLE  OF  ^Epyornis  (AFTER  ANDREWS). 
sc,  scapula  ;  pc,  proooraooid  ;  f.spc,  foraiin/n  suiiracoracoideum  ;  ;/7,  gleuoid  cavity. 

the  two  being  very  slight.  As  will  be  seen  from  the  figure, 
it  most  resembles  that  of  C<t*n<irins.  The  bird  had  a 
rudimentary  humerns. 

Dinornithidae. — This  family  consists  of  a  number  of 
genera,  all  New  Zealand  in  habitat ;  their  remains  are  so 
abundant  in  various  parts  of  the  country  that  they  must 
have  existed  in  countless  numbers.  That  there  should  have 


524          STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION   OF   BIRDS 

been  within  so  limited  an  area  at  least  twenty-five  distinct 
species  is  explained  by  Captain  Hutton  by  the  view  that  at 
one  time  the  two  islands  of  New  Zealand  were  divided  up  into 
a  greater  number — an  archipelago,  in  fact — the  result  of  this 
being  what  we  now  see  among  the  cassowaries,  where  each 
of  the  islands  inhabited  by  them  has  its  own  peculiar  species, 
isolation,  indeed,  permitting  of  the  specialisation.  All  the 
moas,  however,  became  extinct  at  a  period  not  less  than 
three  or  four  hundred  years  ago.  T.  J.  PAEKEE,*  whose 
work  on  the  cranial  osteology  of  the  group  is  the  most 
recent,  allows  the  genera  Diuorui*,  Pacliyoniis,  Mesopteryx, 
Anomalopteryx,  Emeus,  and  probably  Megalapteryx,  dis- 
tributed among  three  subfamilies.  The  moas — a  general 
term  applied  to  all  these  genera — were  birds  of  fair,  often 
large,  size.  The  smaller  species  ranged  from  2^-  to  4  feet  in 
height ;  the  largest  were  at  least  thirteen  feet  high. 

The  skull  of  the  moas  had  a  short  and  wide  beak.  The 
occipital  condyle  is  remarkable  on  account  of  its  '  more  or 
less  pedunculate  character,'  a  circumstance  which  is  of 
importance  in  considering  the  relationship  to  the  moas  of 
the  Madagascar  ^Epyornis  (see  p.  522). 

The  orbit  is  smaller  than  in  other  struthious  birds.  The 
nasals  are  peculiar  in  that  they  meet  behind  above  the 
ethmoid,  so  that  no  part  of  the  latter  bone  appears  on  the 
upper  surface  of  the  skull.  It  is  only  in  the  adult  cassowary 
among  recent  struthious  birds  that  the  ethmoid  is  entirely 
hidden  on  a  superficial  view,  a  state  of  affairs  which  is 
brought  about  by  the  development  of  the  crest,  and  does 
not  exist  in  the  young  bird.  The  palate  is  like  that  of  the 
emu  and  cassowary,  but  is  most  like  that  of  Apteryx. 

The  nasal  bone  is  furnished  with  a  slender  maxillary 
process,  or,  as  in  emus,  there  is  a  corresponding  bone 
separately  ossified.  The  lacrymal  is  firmly  ankylosed  to 
frontal  ;  its  descending  process  joins  ectethmoid.  T.  J. 
PAEKEE  has  figured  and  described  a  peculiar  thin  scroll -like 
bone  which  appears  on  a  lateral  view  of  the  skull  and  pro- 

1  '  On  the  Cranial  Osteology,  Classification,  and  Phylogeny  of  the  Dinorni- 
thiclaV  Tr.  Z.  S.  xiii.  p.  373. 


STRTJTHIONES 

jects  beyond  the  anterior  margin  of  the  maxillo-nasal  ;  this 
he  has  termed  the  alinasal. 

The  number  of  cervical  vertebrae  is  large,  at  any  rate  in 
Anomaloptcryx  parva,  the  only  species  in  which  they  are 
all  without  doubt  preserved.  There  are  in  this  bird  twenty- 
one.  The  sternum  is  longish  and  rather  narrow7  in  Atiomalo- 
pteryx  casuariiia  ;  it  is  short  and  broad  in  Dinornis  maximus. 
In  all  it  has  a  pair  of  lateral  notches  strongly  marked ;  the 
lateral  processes  are  strongly  divergent.  There  is  also  a 
median  posterior  notch. 

The  pectoral  girdle  is  but  little  known,  and  appears 
sometimes  to  have  been  completely  absent. 

In  the  pelvis  the  bones  are  separate  and  the  pectineal 
process  but  little  marked. 

That  the  feathers  have  large  aftershafts,  like  the  emu, 
&c.,  was  first  discovered  by  the  late  Mr.  DALLAS.'  Sir  B. 
OWEN  has  figured  the  ossified  rings  of  the  trachea  ;  but  they 
present  no  special  features  of  interest. 

As  to  their  relationships  with  other  ratites,  T.  J.  PARKER 
is  of  opinion  that  they  form,  together  with  the  Apteryx  and 
cassowaries,  a  definite  branch  of  the  struthious  tree,  as  in 
the  annexed  diagram,  which  is  from  his  paper.  FURBRINGER 
comes  to  conclusions  which  are  not  greatly  different.  The 
relations  of  the  Dinornithida3  to  Strutliio  and  Eliea  are 
'  ganz  entfernt,'  to  Dromceus  and  Casuarius  '  fern,'  but 
to  Apteryx  '  nahe.' 

There  is  no  doubt  that  Struthio  is  removed  far  from  the 
Dinornithidae,  as  well  as  from  other  ratites,  by  the  structure 
of  its  palate,  which  diverges  much.  But  it  not  clear  that 
Rhea  is  so  remote  ;  the  existence  of  an  apparent  homologue 
of  the  maxillo-nasal  bone,  to  which  I  have  referred  in  the 
description  of  the  skull  of  Rhea,  is  a  point  of  somewhat 
striking  likeness  to  Emeus,  while  the  conformation  of  the 
skull  generally  in  Rhea  does  not  seem  to  divide  it  very 
deeply  from  Caxinirins,  kc.  Though  no  doubt  T.  J.  PARKER 
is  right  in  directing  attention  to  the  special  resemblances  in 
the  skulls  of  Apteryx  and  the  Dinornithidee,  it  must  not  be 

1  '  On  the  Feathers  of  Dinornis  robnstus,'  OWEN,  P.  Z.  S.  1865,  p.  205. 


STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIEDS 

forgotten  that  Dinoniis,  like  other  ratites,  except  Apteryx, 
has  a  single  head  to  the  quadrate.     In  the  characters  of  the 
pelvis  Diiiornis  is  near  to  Apteryx  and  theCasuariid.se   and 
remote  from  BJiea    (as  well  as  from  Struthio).     The  large 
aftershaft    allies    it    to    the    Casuariidse.      NATHUSIUS   has 
commented  upon  the  practical  identity  in  egg-shell  structure 
which  Rhea  shows  to  Dinornis,  a  likeness  which  impressed 
him  so  greatly  that  he  proposed  to  place  them  in  the  same 
genus.      A    considerable    number   of   the    special    relations 
between  Apteryx  and   the  Dinornithidae,  upon  which  FTB- 
BBINGEE  writes,  such   as  failing  pneumaticity,  absence  of 
clavicle,  mutual   distance  between  coracoids,  and  even  the 
form  of  the  sternum,  may  largely  depend  upon  the  loss  of 
flight,  which  is  more  complete  in  these  birds  than  in  the 
ostrich,    for    example.      In    no   less   than    three    footnotes 
FUBBEINGEE    comments   upon    the    supposed    absence    of 
uncinate   processes  to  the  ribs    of  the  Dinornithidae ;  but 
this  difference   from  other  ratites  does  not  exist,  as  T.  J. 
PAEKEE  has  definitely  asserted  their  presence.     It  is  signi- 
ficant that  in  his  tables  of  differential  characters  FUBBEINGEE 
refers    little    to   those    of   the   fore    limb    girdle    (including 
sternum)    as  distinguishing   Dinornithidae    from    Rkea.     A 
detailed  account  of  the  pros  and  cons  will  be  found  in  the 
systematic  part  of  FUEBEINGEE' s  work,  and  as  regards  the 
skull  in  PAEKEE 's  paper  already  referred  to. 

The  Struthiones  have  been  often  held  to  be  more  primitive 
than  any  of  the  existing  groups  of  birds. 

There  are  really,  however,  not  a  large  series  of  characters 
in  which  they  may  be  fairly  said  to  be  more  primitive 
than  some  other  groups,  and  most  of  these  are  shared  by 
some  others. 

The  form  of  the  palate  and  the  single-headed  quadrate 
appears  to  be  a  low  character ;  but  the  former  is  shared 
with  the  tinamous,  the  latter  with  some  other  groups.  The 
incompleteness  of  the  fusion  of  the  cranial  bones  may  be 
looked  at  in  the  same  way  ;  but  the  penguin  is  on  the  same 
level  as  the  Struthiones.  The  absence  of  any  fusion  distally 
between  the  bones  of  the  pelvis  in  Apteryx  and  Dinornis  is 


« 
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528         STRUCTURE   AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


dinosaurian  ;  but  the  tinamous  are  like  Aptcryx  in  this. 
The  complete  procoracoid  of  Stnithio  seems  to  be  an  archaic 
character,  as  do  the  two  free  centraliain  the  foot  of  Apteryx. 
As  to  negative  characters,  the  most  important  of  those  that 
are  possibly,  but  not  certainly,  to  be  regarded  as  primitive 
appears  to  be  the  usual  absence  of  the  oil  gland. 

The  long  rectum  of  Struthio  is  probably  an  ancient 
character ;  but  whether  the  absence  of  a  bird-like  syrinx  in 
all  ratites  except  Rliea  is  a  similar  feature  seems  to  be 
doubtful.  The  large  size  of  the  blood  corpuscles  in  the 
ratites  is  noteworthy  in  this  connection. 

The  following  table  gives  the  principal  characters  of  the 
existing  genera.  From  it  may  be  inferred  the  somewhat 
less  modified  condition  of  Aptcryx  and  the  very  isolated 
position  of  Stnithio  among  the  members  of  the  group  :- 


— 

Struthio 

Rhea 

Dronifeus 

Casuarius 

Apteryx 

Aftershaft      . 

0 

0 

+ 

+ 

0 

/Ifiiimboideiis  prnfiiiuli  i 

+ 

+ 

+ 

0 

o 

L/it.  dni-fi  (inferior 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

(i 

Lat.  dorsi  metapat. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

+ 

fterritfHt:  niii/tpat. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

+ 

Pectoralis  abdom. 

II 

o 

0 

(1 

+ 

Mindf  for  in  ula  of  ley 

ABXY  + 

BXY  + 

BXY- 

ABXY  + 

ABXY  + 

or  — 

Carotids 

2 

L. 

2 

2 

L 

Syrinx  . 

R. 

+ 

R. 

R. 

R. 

Lanje  intestine 

Very  long 

Not  long 

Not  long 

Not  long 

Short 

Cit-ca 

Long 

Long 

Short 

Short 

Moderate 

Manus  . 

3  digits 

3  digits 

1  digit 

1  digit 

1  digit 

Cervical  vertebrce 

20 

17 

20 

18,19 

16 

Atlas      . 

Notched  by 

Notched 

Notched 

Notched  or 

Notched 

odontoid 

perforated 

Pelvis     

A  symphysis 

Ischia  and 

Bones  free 

Bones  free 

Bones  free 

pubis  ;  ischia 

ilia  join 

join  pubes 

Claeiclfx 

0 

0 

R. 

R. 

0 

S.\n.vni!NITIIKS 


GROUP   SAURUR/E 

SAURORNITHES 

As  there  is  but  a  single  genus,  and  in  all  probability  but 
a  single  species,1  in  this  group,  it  is  useless  to  attempt  any 
formal  definitions  of  family  or  other  characters.  I  shall 
merely  give  the  more  important  facts  in  its  structure,  as  I 
have  with  the  foregoing  groups.  As  to  extenutl  cli'iracterx, 
the  ArchcBOpteryx  has  an  anisodactyle  foot,  like  that  of  the 
Passeres.  The  feet  and  the  digits  of  the  maims  have  been 
stated  to  have  been  covered  with  scales.  That  scales  may  have 
been  present,  at  least  on  the  foot,  is  very  probable,  but  there 
is  not  the  faintest  evidence  of  their  having  been  there.  Of 
feathers  the  remiges  and  rectrices  are  plain,  while  of  the 
general  body  feathering  there  is  not  so  much  evidence. 
With  the  exception  of  a  circle  of  feathers  upon  the  neck, 
suggestive  of  those  of  the  condor,  and  similar  rings  of 
feathers  upon  the  ankle,  it  is  thought  by  some  that  the 
Archceopteryx  was  naked.  Most  of  the  restorations,  how- 
ever, admit  a  general  feathering.  The  chief  criticism  to  be 
offered  is  the  extreme  perfection  of  the  remains  of  such 
feathers  as  are  visible  in  the  slab  of  stone  in  which  the  dead 
bird  was  originally  imbedded.  This  being  the  case,  the 
apparent  absence  of  feathers  over  the  general  body  surface 
gains  more  weight.  That  they  may  have  been  present  and 
of  the  nature  of  down  feathers  is  believed  by  reason  of 
certain  faint  indications  of  something  to  round  the  contours 
of  the  body ;  the  group  of  contour  feathers  upon  the  leg  are 
plainly  visible  even  in  photographs  of  the  Berlin  example. 
This  example  is  much  better  than  the  specimen  in  London, 
which  is  the  only  other  skeleton  in  existence.  The  rectrices 
are  quite  obvious,  a  pair  to  each  of  the  separate  vertebras  of 
the  tail.  There  appear  to  have  been  not  fewer  than  thirty 

'  It  has  been  argued  that  specific  and  even  generic  differences  exist  between 
the  London  and  Berlin  examples. 

31  M 


C30         STLTCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 

of  these ;  FTIIBRING-ER  places  the  number  between  that 
figure  and  forty.  Most  of  the  restorations  allow  thirty- 
two  or  thirty-four.  This  number  is  important  ;  it  is  in 
excess  of  that  generally  found  in  living  birds,  although  the 
tail  itself  is  not  composed  of  actually  more  vertebrae. 
Among  recent  birds  it  is  perhaps  a  significant  fact  that 
llie  penguins  alone  have  this  number.  Of  remigcs  seven- 
teen appears  to  have  been  the  number,  six  or  seven 
primaries  and  ten  secondaries.  No  existing  bird  has 
so  few  primaries,  the  nearest  approach  being  nearly  all  the 
Anomalogonatae  (and  some  other  birds  too),  which  have  ten. 
There  is  some  difference  of  opinion  as  to  how  these  remiges 
were  attached  to  the  arm  and  hand.  DAMES,  in  his  elaborate 
monograph  upon  Arcliceoptenjx,  puts  forward  the  view  that 
they  were  attached  to  the  metacarpal  and  down  to  the 
claw  of  digit  II.  MENZBIEE  limits  the  attachment  of  the 
primaries  to  the  basal  phalanx  of  the  third,  not  second 
digit.  FURBEINGEE  thinks  that  the  greater  number  of  the 
primaries  were  attached  to  metacarpal  III.  and  the  third 
finger,  only  a  few  being  inserted  upon  the  phalanges  of 
digit  II.,  where  the  latter  is  overlapped  by  the  last-mentioned 
digit.  HURST  has  adopted  the  revolutionary  view  that  there 
are  missing,  and  probably  cartilaginous,  digits  IV.  and  V.,  to 
which  the  primaries  were  attached.  As  to  the  presumed 
additional  fingers,  if  they  were  really  present,  where  did 
they  articulate  ?  The  entire  available  space  appears  to  be 
taken  up  with  the  digits  which  are  already  known.  In  its 
primaries  Archtzopteryx  is  the  very  reverse  of  the  penguin, 
which  it  appears  to  resemble  in  its  rectrices.  The  excep- 
tional number  to  be  found  in  that  bird  is  not  in  the  least 
explained  by  the  conditions  observable  in  Archceopteryx. 
A  beak  seems  to  have  been  absent  in  ArclicBopteryx,  owing 
to  the  fact  that  the  teeth  extend  to  the  end  of  the  jaws. 
The  vertebral  column  of  this  bird  has  some  fifty  vertebrae,  of 
which  ten  or  eleven  are  reckoned  cervical  ;  the  smallness  of 
the  number,  which  probably  belongs  to  this  category,  is  only 
approached  among  the  parrots  and  the  Pico-Passeres  and 
some  of  their  nearest  allies,  where,  however,  thirteen  is  the 


SACJ;OI;XITIIKS  .-,:ji 

lowest  number,  fourteen  being  more  general.  This  fact 
may,  however,  have  some  significance,  especially  when  it  is 
remembered  that  fourteen  is  also  found  in  the  penguins,  and 
when  the  remarks  on  p.  1(54  are  taken  into  consideration  as  to 
the  possible  low  position  among  birds  of  the  Pico-Passeres. 

The  vertebrae  were  apparently  amphicoelous.  There  are 
only  two  sacral  vertebra?,  and,  as  already  stated,  the  tail  is 
long  and  composed  of  a  long  series  of  elongated  vertebra*,  to 
each  of  which  a  pair  of  rectrices  are  attached. 

The  ribs  seem  to  have  had  no  nucuiatc  yjmr.v.srx,  but  these 
may  have  been  present  and  cartilaginous  ;  another  remark- 
able feature  about  them  is  the  fact  that  they  had,  as  in  many 
reptiles,  but  one  articulation.  There  are  also  a  number  of 
abdominal  ribs  which  might  be  supposed  to  be  merely  the 
sternal  parts  of  the  vertebral  ribs,  were  it  not  for  the  close 
approximation  of  the  V-shaped  pairs. 

The  skull  is  toothed  to  the  very  end  of  the  jaws,  thus 
rendering  improbable  the  presence  of  a  beak.  The  nostrils 
are  definitely  holorhinal,  and  are  divided  into  two  holes  by  an 
alinasal  growth,  as  in  some  living  birds.  Or  else  the  sup- 
posed posterior  part  of  the  nasals  is  really  the  antorbital 
space  present  in  so  many  birds.  It  does  not  seem  certain 
whether  in  the  latter  event  the  nostrils  are  bounded  behind 
by  the  posterior  division  of  the  nasal  bone  or  whether,  as  in 
pterodactyles,  a  process  of  the  maxilla  rises  up  to  join  the 
nasal.  The  space  for  the  eye,  which  has  a  ring  of  bones 
in  the  sclerotic,  is  completed  below,  as  in  certain  parrots, 
by  a  bony  arch. 

Concerning  the  stenuoti  we  must,  I  suppose,  agree  with 
HUEST,  who  has  observed  that  '  nothing  is  known,  though 
much  has  been  written.' 

The  scapula  is  eminently  bird-like,  as  is  the  fit  rot  la,  with 
its  U-shaped  meeting  of  the  two  ankylosed  bones.  The 
coracoid  is  imperfectly  known.  The  large  size  of  the  deltoid 
crest  of  the  humerus  and  the  apparent  absence  of  the  crest 
for  the  insertion  of  the  pectoralis  are  the  two  most  salient 
facts  in  its  structure  :  the  latter  fact  supports  those  who 
hold  that  the  sternum,  if  present,  must  have  been  small  or 


•>32         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 

cartilaginous.  It  is  usual  to  consider  that  the  carpus  of 
ArchcEopteryx  contained  but  one  carpal  ;  HURST,  however, 
asserts  that  there  are  two,  a  radiale  and  an  ulnare.  As  in 
modern  birds,  Arckceopteryx  is  generally  held  to  have  pos- 
sessed three  fingers,  and,  again  as  in  modern  birds,  the  second 
is  the  longest.  HIIEST  holds  that  the  bird  had  five,  and 
bases  his  view  upon  both  fact  and  theory.  As  to  the  former 
lie  sees  differences  in  the  supposed  second  and  third  meta- 
carpals  in  the  Berlin  and  London  specimens  ;  it  is  possible, 
therefore,  that  the  bones  are  not  the  same  in  the  two  cases  ; 
hence  those  of  the  one  may  be  metacarpals  four  and  five.  In 
the  second  place  he  considers  that  (for  reasons  which  will 
be  referred  to  more  fully  immediately)  the  bird  used  its 
fingers  for  grasping  purposes,  and  that  those  fingers  which 
were  thus  used  could  not  have  been  hampered  with  feathers 
of  the  stiff  kind  shown  in  the  fossils  as  apparently  attached 
to  them ;  hence  there  were  missing  digits  to  which  these 
feathers  were  attached.  In  support  of  this  he  recalls  the 
young  Opistliocomus,  which  uses  the  fore  limb  as  a  grasping 
organ  before  the  remiges  are  developed,  and  is  unable  to  do 
so  afterwards. 

In  any  case  the  metacarpals  of  the  three  digits  are  mov- 
able, and  the  number  of  phalanges  progressively  increases 
from  two  to  four. 

The  pelvis  is  ornithic  and  has  a  perforated  acetabulum ; 
but  the  bones,  as  in  no  other  bird,  are  not  fused  but  separated 
by  sutures. 

It  has  been  held  that  the  supposed  furcula  is  composed 
of  two  ventrally  united  prepubes,  as  in  dinosaurs  (and  ptero- 
dactyles  ?) 

The  hind  limb  is  avian,  with  nothing  remarkable  about 
it. 

The  Archceopteryx  differs  from  all  birds  in  the  following 
characters  :— 

(1)  The  tail  is  as  long  as  the  body,  with  a  pair  of  rectrices 
fastened  to  each  vertebra. 

(2)  The  cervical  vertebra?   (nine)  arc  fewer  than  in  anv 

'  * 

other  bird. 


SAl'lJOlfNITIIKS 

('.])   There    are    apparently    free    cervical    ribs,    ami     the 
thoracic  ribs  have  but  one  head. 

(4)  The  sternum  is  absent  or  weak  ('.'). 

(5)  There  are  abdominal  ribs. 

(6)  The  number  of  phalanges  to  the  fingers  of  the  hand 
is  as  in  reptiles. 

(7)  The  constituent  bones  of  the  pelvis  are  separate. 
(S)   There  was  no  beak. 

The  Archceopteryx  also  differs  from   all  birds  excepting 
those  specially  mentioned  in  the  following  characters  :— 

(1)  The  jaws  are  toothed  (also  H^spwornis,  Ichthyornis, 
Laopteryx  ?). 

(2)  The  ribs  have  no  uncinate  processes   (so  in  Chcnina, 
Palamedea). 

(H)   The  metacarpals  are  free  (also  GastorHis). 

It  is,  furthermore,  supposed  that  the  bones  were  not 
aerated,  no  pneumatic  foramina  having  been  discovered. 
This  would  militate  against  flight,  and  there  are  other  facts 
of  structure  that  indicate  at  most  a  feeble  power  of  flight. 
It  must,  however,  be  observed  that  the  series  of  rectrices  was 
apparently  continued  along  the  sides  of  the  body,  and  that 
the  tibiae  seem  to  have  borne  strong  quill  feathers.  From 
this  HURST  infers  that  the  Archceopteryx  was  '  fitted  for 
flight,  if  not  for  prolonged  flight.'  But  though  it  has  an 
'  insessorial  '  foot  it  seems  doubtful  whether  the  attitude 
when  at  rest  was  not  quadrupedal.  The  heavy  head  and 
neck  and  the  slenderness  of  the  hind  limbs  would  tend  to 
throw  the  centre  of  gravity  further  forwards  than  in  recent 
birds,  HURST  thinks.1 

As  an  appendix  to  the  present  group  may  be  mentioned 
the  very  imperfectly  known  Laopteryx — not  on  account  of 
any  definitely  ascertained  resemblances,  but  merely  by  reason 

'  DAMES,  '  t'ber  Archceopteryx,''  Palaont.  Abhamll.  ii.  1884,  is  the  principal 
memoir  upon  the  bird.  BAUR,  in  Zool.  Am.  ix.  p.  106,  has  summed  up  the 
literature  down  to  1886.  Since  then  Hrnsr  and  I'YI-TIUKT  have  written  upr  n 
Archaopteryx  in  Natural  Science,  vols.  v.  vi. 


"»:!4         STRUCTURE    AXI)    CLASSIFICATION    OF 

of  the  fact  that  it  existed  at  about  the  same  period.  Lau- 
pteryx  prisons  is  known  from  a  skull  fragment  from  the  upper 
Jurassic  of  Wyoming  at  about  the  same  horizon  as  the 
'  Atlantosaurus  beds.'  It  was  about  the  size  of  the  heron 
(Ardea  lierodias).  The  back  part  alone  of  the  skull  has  been 
found,  and  the  remains  show  that  the  head  of  the  quadrate 
was  undivided,  as  in  ratites  (except  Apteri/.r}.  Close  by  was 
found  a  single  tooth  which  may  or  may  not  have  belonged 
to  it.  MAESH  a  considers  the  bird  to  have  boon  ratite  in  its 
characters. 

1   '  Discovery  of  a  Fossil  Bird   in  tin-  Jurassic  of  Wyoming,'  Ann  i'.  Juiini. 
Sci.  xxi.  (18S1),  p.  :M1. 


I N  D  P^  X 


(Extinct  griii-ni  ti/nl 


f/i'e  printed  in  italics) 


ABDIMIA,  78,  95,  419.  425,  427,  42!) 

sphenorhyncha,  65,42:5,  421, 

425, 428 
Aburria,  299 

carunculata,    294,   297,    299, 

300 

Acanthisitta,  181 
Accipiter,  478,  484 

nisus,  478 
Aceros,  54,  102,    21(5,   217,   218,  219, 

221 
nipalensis,  57,  103,  217,  218, 

219,  220 
Actiornis,  419 
.Kchmophorus,     119,    320,    3815,    387, 

388,  389,  417,  4(51 
major,  361,  3*6 
^gialitis,  343 

hiaticula,  345 
jffigialornis,  350 
JEgotheles,   231,  234,    236,  237,    241, 

242,  243 
Aeipetes,  450 

JEpycrnis,  494,  522,  523,  524 
..•Ex  sponsa,  4.i8,  459,  4(51 
A^apornis,  255,  268,  2(59 
Agnopterus,  444 
Alca,  141,  360 

in^ii'iinis,  359,  360 
tovda,  360,  362,  363,  364,  365 
Alcedo,  16,  80,  197,  198 
bengalensis,  80 
ispida,  200 
Ale  tor  nis,  379 
Ampelis  ^umilus,  177 
cedrorum,  173 
Anarhynchus,  5 
Anas,  75,  460 

boschas,  458 
)M  cularis.  458,  459 


Anastomus,  5 

corbmandelicus,  427 
lamelligerus,  420 
Anomalopteryx,  149,  524 

casuarina,  525 
parca,  525 
Anous,  147,  350,  351,  353,  354,  356 

stolidus,  :!7s 
Anser  albifrons,  459 
cinereus,  460 
indicus,  459,  465 
Anseranas,  458 

melanoleucus,  60,  463 
Anthornis  melanura,  177 
Anthraceros  malayanus,  222 
Anthropoides,  368 

stanlcyanus,  369 
Antrostomus,  234,  242 

vociferus,  231 
A/'<itoi-nis,  469,470,471 

ci'lei;  469 
A/ilicniapicri/x,  330 

Broeclii,  :!30 
Aphri/.a  virgata,  338 
Aprosmictus,  260,  268,  269 

erythroptevus,  262 
Aptenodytes,  30, 156,  396,  398, 399,400 

longirostris,  31  is 

Apteryx,  12,  39,  40,  45,  47,  49,  60,  72, 
73,  75,  76,  78,  80,  81,  82, 
101,  112,113,116,121,  122, 
123,127,132,  135,  136,  137. 
148,  151,152,153,  155,  161, 
337, 384, 471,  492,  494,  495, 
496,497,498,499,  504,  5(17, 
508,  510,  51S,  519,  521,  524, 
525,  526,  527,  528,  534 
austral!?,  49,  496,  505,  506, 

520,  521,  52'2 
Bullcn.  196.  .-,(11.  50.-..  .V_M) 


STRUCTURE    AND    CLASSIFICATION    <>F    I'.IIIDS 


Apteryx  Han.sti,  496,  521 

Mantelli.  JOG,  4 '.1C, 
Oweni,  496,  506,  520,  521 
Aptorms,  288,  378,  379,  380,  382 
defossor,  378 
(itidiformis,  378 
Aquila,  476 

imperialis,  474 
nff'vioides,  477 
Ara  anibigna,  262,  264 
ararauna,  29,  262 
chloroptera,  261 
Leari,  237 
militaris,  257,  264 
Anunide.s,  322,  323,  324,  327,  331,  36'.) 

cayennensis,  321,  322 
Aramus.  366.  367,  31)8 

scolopaceus,  367 
Arboricola,  137,  375 

torqueola,  293 

Arclupoptcri/.?,  4,  17,  21,  111,  112,  113. 
114,  115,'  119,    120,   123.  125,    133, 
151,    154,   155,   157,   159,   160,    161, 
164,  165,  469,  529,  530,  531,  532 
Archibuteo,  476 
Ardoa,  422,  432 

bubulcus,  432 
cinerea,  103,  431,  432.  442 
cocoi,  429,  430 
comata,  432 
egretta.  4 SO 
garzetta,  430 
goliath,  430,  431 
herodias.  534 
ludoviciana,  431 
minnta,  432 
pnrpurea,  430,  4.'11 
snmalrana,  430,  431 
Ardftta,  430 

rxilis,  430,  431 
imolucns,  -130.  431 
A  rc/illornis,  419 
Argus,  290 

giganteus,  27.  292,  293 
Asio,  252 

otns,    99,    244,    245,    246,    289. 

Sec  <7 /.so  Otns  vulgaiis 
Astnv,  75 

approximans,  474 
Nova'  Hollandiir,  47S 
tibialis,  475 
Asturina,  476 

Natteri,  47* 
Atelornis,  205,  20S 
Athene  uoctua,  245.  246 

passerina,  246 
Atrk-hia,  172,  177.  182,  1S3 
Attagis,  21,  33S,  34(1,  343.  319 

(layi,  349 
Aulacorhamphns,  I'.IO 


i's,    62,    63,    419,    420. 

433,  434 
rex,  433 

Baleanca,  95,  366,  368,  369,  377 
ehrysopdargus.  96 
pavonina,  366,  367,  368,  369 
regulorum,  367,   368   (     B. 

chrysopelargus) 
Fjaptonnx,  471 
Barita  destructor,  177 
Baryphthengus,  210 
Bati-achostomns,   231,    232,    235,  236, 

242 

Baza,  475 
Bernicla  brenta,  57.  46s 

carmdensis,  458,  459,  461,  465 
jubata,  459 
leucopsis.  4(i6 
rubidiceps,  55 
Biziiu-a,  464,  466,  4(57 

lobata,  116,  134,  406,  458. 
459,  461,  462,  463,  464, 
466,  468 

Bolborhyncbus.  259,  260,  268,  270 
Botaurus,  430,  431 

stellaris,  57,  430,  431 
Brachypteracias,  205 
Brachyrhamphus,  359,  363 

niarmoratns,        359, 

361.  362,  365 
f-tnmldrnis,  384 
Brotogerys,  269,  270 

tin  fa,  254,  262 
tovi,  2ri2 

Bubo,  247,  248,  250,  251,  252 
ascalaphus,  245 
l)engalensis.  249,  25(1 
ca  pen  sis,  246 
ignavus,  246 
maculosus,  245 
rnaxiinus,  97 
virginianus,  246 
Bucco  maculatiis.  INS.  ls;i 
Hi  ccros,  17,  55,  101.  215,  216,  218 

atratns,   216,   217.     .S'.v  nl.-o 

Sphagolobus  atratus 
bicornis.  216,  219.  221.      S<r 

n/fiu  Dichoceros  bicornis 
con  vex  us,  215 
coronatus,  216,  219 
elatus,    216,    217.      .SVv    <ih<> 

Ceratogymna  plata 
lunatiis.  221 
malabaricns,  216 
plicatus,  21!'.      Sin'  <ilno  liliv- 

tidiceros  plicalus 
vliinocercs,  101,  219,  221 
subeylindricus,      21<i.       ,SVv 


drieus 


INDMX 


Bucorvus,  44,  53,  57,  85,  90,  103,  152, 

•207,  '215,  210,  21S 
abyssinicus,  215,  216,  '217, 

•219,  220,  221 
Buhveria,  445,  448 
Burrhinus,  343,   345.     Sec  also  (Kdi- 

cnemus 
Buteo,  474,  476 

vnlgaris,  152,  473 
Butorides,  422 

atricapillus,  429,  430 
cyanurus,  430,  431 

Bycanistes    subcylindricus,    '219,  221. 
.SVfd/.sYi  Biu-eros  subeylindricus 


CACATUA,  52,  254,  '255,  2511,  257. '25s, 

260,  262,  268,  2(19 
oristata,  255,  256,  2(i2 
I'hilippinarnm,  255 
sulphurea,  53,  254,  262 
triton,  255,  262 
Cacoabis  chukar,  293 
Gacuinantis,  274,  280 
Caica,  259,  260,  261,  263,  268,  270 

melanocephala,  264 
Galidris,  343 
Oallalcyon  rufa,  198,  19!) 
Callipcpla,  291,  298 

californica,  290,  '295,  298, 

300 

squamata,  290 
Callocepbalon.  263,  268 

f.'ale<itum,  264 
Calodromas.  31,  486,  487,  4H9.  507 

elefians,  485,  4s7.  4SS,  491 
Cal.inas.  312,  313 

nifobarica,  306.  310 
Calopsitta,  262,  26M,  269 

Nova'  Hnllandia1,  254.  2C4 
Calyptomena,  17^ 

viridis,  ITS 

Calyptorhyiu-bus,  259,  260,  26 S,  '269 
Banksii,    255,    256, 

262 

stellatus,  254 
Oaneroma,  is.  419,  422,  42s,  429,  431, 

432 

cocbWm,  430.  431,  434 
Gapito.  194 

(•;ip:-imn]f,'us,  3,  234.  235,  236,  237, 
23S. 239. 240,  241.242, 
351 

oiii'oprtHis.  235 

Cariama,  3S,  40,  54,  137,  144,  14s, 
149.  161,  165,  241,  249. 
336,  366.  367,  373,  374. 
H75.  377.  379.  3S2,  3S5. 
450,  455 
iristiita,  323.  374 


Garpopha^a,   25,    3(16,    30S,  :ill.    312 

313 

latrans,  306,  307,  310 
oenea,  308 
paulina,  307,  309 

Casuanus,  12,  28,  81,  82,  85,  123, 
127,  448,  461,  495,  497, 
505,  506,  507,  510,  511. 
515,  523,  525,  526,  527, 
5£8 

austral  is,  497 
Beccarii,  506 
Bennetti,  499,  506 
bicarunculatus,  506 
fialeatus,  125,  509.  516 
picticollis,  506 
uniappendicnlatus,  506 
Gathartes,  79,  145,  382,  3s:-{,  479,  481, 

482,  483,  484 
atratus,  74.  481,  484 
aura,  474, 4SH 
Gentropelnia,  3S6 
Centropus,    3,   55,  235.  274,  275,  276, 

279, 2S1 

ateralbus,  277,  278,  279 
phasianus,  279 
Centurus  striatus,  184,  185 
Ceratogymna  elata,  103,  218,  221.    ,S'<v 

also  Bnceros  elatns 
Ceratorhina,  363 

monocprata,       361,     362, 

363,  364,  365 
Coreopsis,  466,  468 

Nova:'  Hollands,    4.r,,s,    459, 

465 
Geriornis,  291 

satyra,  293 
Temmincki,  293 
Cfilhia,  16,  174 
Geryle,  198 

alcyon.  199.  200 
amazona,  200 
stellata,  200 
GhtPtnra,  226 

caudacuta,  226,  227.  228 
rutila,  227 
spin icauda,  226 
Vniixi,  226.  228 
/.onaris,  226,  227 
Chalcopplia,  312,  313 
Chalcophaps,  312 

chrysochlora,  30K 
Ghalcopsitta,  257,  26s 

scintillata,  '262 
Ghani;T>a.  174 
Chamsepelia,  312.  313 
Gharadrius,  17.  337,  343.  .H66 

pln\ialis.  33S.  :j41,  344 
Chauna.    14.2s.  31,38,73,74,79,85, 
145,  2SS, -29'2,  -101.  152.  154.455.5:):; 


538 


iK  AND  CLASSIFICATION  OF  UIUDS 


Channa  chavaria,  '27,  57,  451,  452,  15:s, 

454,  455 
dt-rlmina,  35,  So,  92,  451,  452, 

454,  455 
Chen,  407 

ccerulescens,  466,  467 
Chenalopex  jubatus,  459,  465 
<  'ln'iiornia,  419 

Chionis,  112,  338,  339,  340,  342,  340, 
347,  348,  349,  357,  300,  445, 
468 

alba, 339,  342,  343,  349 
minor,  348,  349 
Chiromachseris,  180 
Chloephaga  magellaniea,  146,  459 
Chloronerpes  yucatensis,  185,  1S6 
Cholornis,  172 

Chorcleiles,  234,  236,  239,  241.  242 
texensis,  235 
virginianus,  239 
Chrysococcyx,  274,  279,  280 
Chrysoena,  312 

viridis,  307,  30ft 
Chrysotis,  98,  254,  256,  257,  258,  259, 

260,  201,  262,  269,  270 
Bodin,  257 
collaris,  262 
erythrura,  257 
i'estiva,  262 
Guildingi,  43,  259,  201 
leucocephala,  257,  259 
Levaillanti,  257 
versicolor,  257 
viridigenalis,  257 
Chunga,  85,  117,  144,  373,  374,  375, 

377,  385,  416, 442 
Burmeistevi,  51,  93,  114,  374 
Ck-onia,  17,05,  98,  99,  103,419,422, 

423 

alba,  09,  427,  428 
boyciana,  428 
maguari,  428 
nigra,   99,    425,  427,  428,  435, 

437 

Circaetus,  476 
Circus,  473,  470,  484 

seruginosus,  477 
Gouldi,  473,  477,  478 
hudsoniamis,  477 
maurus,  473,  475 
Cissopis  leveriana,  177 
Cittura,  199,  200 

cyanotis,  198 
Clangula,  403 
Cnemiornis,  128,  457,400,  408,  409 

calcilrans,  456.  457 
Coccystes,  274,  280 
Coccyzus,  274,  276,  278,  280 

americanus,  279 
Colautes  mexicanoides,  185 


Colius,  117,  147,  202 

castanonotus,  203 

Columba,17,  89,133,  152,  311,  312,  313 
livia,  306,  b07 
maculosa,  308 
Columbula,  305,  312 
,  390 

anglicita,  3'.'0 

min  tit  in--,  390 

Colymbus,  86,  92,  134,  386,  390,  391, 

404,  406,  460 
arcticus,  387 
glacialis,  380,  387.  :;ss 
septentrionalis,  387,  888 
Conopophaga,  68.  2*2 
Conurus,  255,  257.  258,  259,  263.  208, 

270 

aureus,  257 
crnentatus,  257.  264 
Petzi,  262 
Coracias,    204,    205,    206,    207,    208. 

209 

garrulus,  17,  205,  206,  277 
Coracina  cephaloptera,  174 
Coracopsis,  254,  259,  269,  270 
J'.arkleyi,  262 
nigra,  351 
obscura,  351 
Corcorax,  170 
Coriphilus,  208 
Corvultur  albicollis,  176 
Corvus,  137,  141,  174 
corax,  70 
capellanna,  97 
cornix,  175 
corone,  177 
frugilegus,  175 
Corydon, 178 
Corythaix,  30,  93,  282,  2S3,  284,  285. 

416 

nlbocristata,  282,  2>:3,  285 
Buffoni.283 
chlorochlamys,  2^-3 
erythrolophus,  283 
porphyriolopha,  282 
persa,  283,  285 
Cosmetornis,  242 
C.-turnix.  287,  291,  298 
coaimunis,  293 
NOV;P  Zelandifp,  304 
Coua,  275,  278,  281 
Cracticus  cassicus,  175,  177 
Crax,  291,  292, 299 
Alberti,  293 

Daubentoni,  291,  292,  293 
glcbicera,  57,  293,  299,  300.  301 
globulosa,  293 
Sclateri,  291,  293,  299 
CI-PX,  323,  324,  327 

pratonsis.  82.  322,  323 


INDKX 


Crossoptilon,  29* 

mantcliuricuin,  '21(1,  293, 

300 

Crotophaga,  G9,    235,   236,    '272,    27",, 
276.  -277,  27*.  279,  281 
suleirostris,  279 
( 'ri./iinrnis,  222 
Crypturus,  79,  4*1),  491,  492 
obsoletua,  487 
sall;i  i,  4S7 
tatanpa,  486,487,  4S9,  490. 

491 
Cuculus,  17,  235,  274,  277,  27*,  279, 

2so.  L'SI. 

canorus.  273,  27(5,  279 
Cuvsorius,  311,  342,  35  d 
Cvanocorax  cvanopogon,  177 
Cyanorhamphus,  255,  2(50,  2(19,  270 
Cyclopsittacus,  267 
Cygnus,  402,  4(5(5 

americanus,  4(54 
atratus,  459,  4(54,  465 
llevviokii,  4(50,  4(54,  4(5", 
buccinator,  459,  464  465, 
coscoroba,  4(54,  465 
ferns,  459,  4(54,  405 
inimutabilis,  4(54 
musicus,  45* 

ni^iicollis.  45S,  459,  4(54,  4(55 
olor,  459,  404,  465 
Cymbirhynchus,  62,  178,  179 
Cymochorea,  416 
Cypseloides  fnmigatns,  226,  227 
Cypselus,  17,  75,  SO,  *6,  9*.  226 
alpinus,  226,  228 
apus,  22S 
inelba,  23,  229 


DACF.T.O,  140,  197, 19*.  Hill 

cervina,  2(10 

Qaudichaudi,  197 

gigantea.  197,  19S,  199,  200 
DaHla  acuta,  45*,  459 
Daption  capensis,  446 

l>«Milllifi   llllll/illi  HN/.s,    49* 

]>asyptilus  l-'ecijueti,  2(52 
Dendrochelidon,  22(3 
Dendrocygna,  4(55,  468 

arcuata,  465 

autumn  alls,  459,  465,  467 
Deroptyus,  2(50,  2(51,  263,  26* 

accipitrinus,  258,  262 
Diaphorapteryx,  330 

Hau-kinsi,  330 
Dicherocos    bicornis,    219.    .SV'c     also 

Buceros  bicornis 
Dicrnrus.  I ^'2 

Di.lnnculus,  2(53.  3(15,    308.   309,   :;il. 
312,  313. 31  I 


Diilnnculns  striyirosti  is,  3d* 
I>i,lus,l'21,  311.  314 
Itinumix,  7,  119,   132,   135,   37*,   3*4, 
498,  524,  526,  5.7 

inct.fi  in  us,  525 

riibnstiis,  5'25 

tljI'OHItH,    149 

Diomcdea,  416,  417,  445,  450 
aui/licti,  451 
exulans,  447,  450 
melanophrys,  450 
Diphyllorles,  174 
Diplopterus,  274,  277,  27*,  2*0 

n;vvius,  279 
Dissura,  95,  429 

cpiscopus,  423,  424,  425,  42* 

Droniii'us,  120, 323,  134,  490,  491,  495, 

497,  49*.  503,  507,  511, 

514,  515,   516,  5'25,  527, 

528 

ater.  521 

Nov;v  HollancliiP,  506 
Dvomas,  350 

Dryocopus  martins,  185,  1*6 
Drt/oi'iiis,  384 
Dryotriorchis,  475,  47* 

spectabilis.  474,  475,  17* 


ECLECTUS,  260,  262,  2(5*,  2(59 

polychlorus,  11*,  262,  264 
Ectopistes,  312,  313 
Erlolius,  173 
Klanus,  473,  477 
Hlorius,  356 
Klontis,  444 
Emeus,  524,  525 

crnfssiis,  149 
En<ili<»->us,  471 
Entomyza  cyanotis,  177 
Eos,  256,  257,  259,  266,  26*.  2i',9 
cardinalis,  26d 
indicns,  262 
reticulata,  262 
Eremophila,  174 
Erismatura,  464 

ruliida,  45* 

Erythnvnas,  309,  310,  312,  314 
Erythropus  vespertinus,  47.) 
Eudociinus  albus,  439 

ruber,  435,  439 
Eudromias,  340,  34* 
Kndynamis,  272,   275.  277.   27*.   279, 

280 

orientalis,  273 

Eudyptcs,  30,  41,  42,  74,  396,  397.  400 
chrysocome,  397,  39*.  399 
chrysoloplnis,  39* 
Kndyptnla  minor,  41 
Kuinomotu,  210 


STUUriTKE    AND    ( 'LASSIKK  !.\TI<  )X    OK    P.IltDS 


Euplocamus,  25)1 

albocristatus,  293 
Andersoni,  298 

eristatus,  293 
erythrophthalmua,  293 
nobilis,  29  ;j 
njcthemerus,  293 
Swinhoii,  298 
Vieilloti,  290,  293 
Euphema,  268,  269 

pulchella,  262 
splendida,  262 
Kupodotis,  .53,  332,  334 
arahs,  332 

australis,  332,  333,  334,335 
Denhami,    331.    832,    333, 

334,  335 
kori,  332,  333 
Eupsychortyx,  291 
Eui-yl.-fmus,  115,  174,  17s 
Eurynorhynchus,  5,  337 

pygnwa,  5,  343 
Euryp.yga,  147,  36(5,  377,  37*,  3 .so,  3X1, 

383 

helias,  377 
Kurystomus,  205,  206,  207,  20.S 

orientalis,  205 
Excalfactoria  chinensis,  291 


FAI.CO,  75,  474,  475 

wsalon,  473,  475 
biarmicus,  475,  477 
brachypterus,  473 
candicans,  475 
Feldeggi,  475 
lanarius,  475 
peregvinus,  473,  475 
sacer,  475 
subbuteo,  473 
Fraiieolinus,  291,  304 
afev,  293 
Clappertoni,  291 
gularis,  293 
Frat*Tcula,  360,  3S8 

arctica,  41,  359,  362,  364, 

36,5.  373 
corniculata,  364 

F  regain,  -S5,   93,    134,    150.    151,    161, 
401,  402,  404,  405.  406, 40f), 
410.411,412,  413,  415.416. 
417,  418,  450 
aquila,  402,  403,  407 
minor,  351 
Fvegetta,  417,  44« 
F  rrgilupus,  174 

Fulica,  17.  WH.  322.  323,  329.  380 
ardasiaca,  322,  324 
atia,  321,  322,  3.-J1 
cj  i^tuta,  331 


]'"nlica  leucoptera,  .'524 
Xi'trt-Diti,  330 
j> risen,  330 
Fuligula,  463 

ferina,  459 
rntina,  458,  459,  463 
Fulmarus  glacialis,  446 
Furnarius,  143,  182 

GALHVLA,  213,  214 

rufoviridis,  213,  214 
Gallinago,  341,  343 

gallinula,  343 
Gallinula  chloropus,  322 
Gallus,  17,  290,  291,  300 

bankiva,  100,  291,  293.  29:<.  300 
domesticus,  292 
Sonnerati,  293 
Gambetta,  343 

Havipes,  841,  343 
Garrodia,  44s,  449 
Garrulax  albugularis,  177 
r;o..s-/o)-His,  125,  46S,  469,  533 
Geciims   viridis,    1H5,    1S6,   1S7.      .SVc 

aim i  Picus  \'iridis 
vittatus,  1S5 
Crcnyornis,  4t>8 

Neirtnni,  49S 
Gfocichla  citrina,  177 
Geococcyx,    133,    134,    155,    161.  27ti, 

277,  279,  2sl,  2s5,  895 
affinis,  279 
Geopelia,  312,  314 

cuneata,  308 
humeralis,  80S 
Geophaps  scvipta,  309 
Geopsittacus,  26H,  269 

occidentalis,  262 
Geotrygon,  312,  813 

violacea,  311 
Geranoaetus,  474,  476 

melanoleucus,  474 
Gerano2isis,  379 
Geronticus  melanopis,  435 
(ilareola,  144,  341,  342,  350,  351,  3SO, 

383 

pratincola,  343 

Goura,  14,  305,  311,  312,  314,  317 
coronata,  308,  8(J9 
Victoi-iw,  308,  311 
(iraeula  intermedia.  172 

javanensis,  175,  177 
Graculavus,  419 
(4)  us.  75.  99,  366,  367,   369,  874,  375, 

377,  378,  379.  442 
ainericana,  367,  368 
antiqua,  367,  368 
;m«tralasia,na,  367,  36s 
canadensis,  867,  368 

iita.  36C,.  8117,  86S.  :',C,9 


fXDKX 


.-,11 


(irus  oiii'Tea,  36S 

leucogeranos,  ;?iiii,  ;!67,  .'{(is 
monachus,  57 
virgo,  98,  366,  307 
Guira,  272,  276,  277,  278,  280,  281 

pivirigua,  271) 
Gygis,  350,  351,  354,  356 
Gymnobucco,  196 

calvus,  195 

Gymnoglaux  nuclipes,  246 
Gymnorhina,  175.  176,  IKS 
leuconota,  177 
Gypaetus,  473,  474,  476 

barbatus,  473,  474 
Gypagus,        383,       481.        Ser      a  I  no 

Gyparchus 

papa,  477,  481,  482,  4x4 
Gyparchus,  481,  482 
Gypogeranus,  13,  442.     See  also  Ser- 

pentarius 
Gypohierax.  474 
Gyps,  476 

fulvus,  473 
Gypsornis,  381 


Heteralocha,  •> 
Heterocnemis,  1x2 
Heteropelma,  ISO 
Hieraciclea,  457 

berigora,  475 

Himantopus,  339,  341,  342 
andinus,  337 
brasiliensis,  343,  344 
nigricollis,  342,  344 
Hirundo,  174 
Hotibara,  331,  332,  333 

Macqueeni,  332,  334,  335 
undulata,  332,  334 
Hybris,  245.      See  also  Strix 
Hydrophasianus,  347 

chirurgus,  343 
Hydroniifi  natator,  451 
Hylactes  megapodius,  6X 
Hylomanes,  210,  211,  212 

gularis,  211 

Hymenola-mus,  467,  468 
Hypotsenidia  celebensis,  330 
Hypoxanthus  Kivolii,  185,  ls<; 
Hi/pselornis  sivcflensis,  498 


HADROSTOMUS  aglaifp,  ISO 
Hsematopus,  150,  339,  340,  343 

ostralegus,  339,  343,  344 
Halcyon,  198,  200 

Lessoni,  199 
smyrnensis,  198 
vagans,  200 
Haley orn IK,  356 
Halia,  174 
Haliaetus.  30,  55,  145,  398,  476 

albicilla, 29, 30,  474,  477, 478 
vocifer,  477 
Harpagornis,  484 
Harpyhaliaetus  coronatus,  474 
Heliodilus,  244,  351 
Heliornis,  93,   325,  326,  327,  329,  397. 

See  also  Podoa 
surinamensis,  325.  Sec  also 

Podoa  surinamensis 
Helotarsus,  476 

ecaudatus,  473 
Hemipodius,  319 

tachydromus,  320 
varius,  321 
Herpetotheres,  478 

cachinnans,  476,  478 
Ilesperornis,  21, 121, 123, 134, 147, 149, 
151,  160,  161,  385,3110, 
392,  393,  394,  395,  396, 
406,462,469,470,471, 
533 

crassipes,  392 
gracilis,  392 
regalis,  392 


IANTHCENAS,  312,  313 

leucokema,  308 
Ibidipodia,  444 
Ibis,  4 1'3,  435 

(tthiopica,  435,  439 
strictipennis,  435 

Iclithijitrnis,  21,    111,    112,   14s,    ir(0, 
392,  469,  470,  471,533 
agilis,  469 
anceps,  469,  470 
dispar,  469,  470 
tener,  469 
validus,  469 
victor,  469,  470 
Indicator,  61,  192,  196,  197,  229 

major,  196 
Irrisor,  222 
Ithaginis  Geolfroyi,  293 


JACAMEEOPS,  213,  214 
Jynx, 185, 186,  188 
torquilla,  185 


KETITA,  249,  250 

ceylonensis,  246 
javanensis,  245,  246,  249 


LAGOPTS,  304 
Lanius,  174 

l.<inr(erij.r,  21.  154,  .159,  -V2:: 
if,  •">:!  I 


54:2         STIirClVKE    AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 


Lai-us,  112,  148,  350,  351,  1554,  355,  446 
argentatus,  352,  353,  354,  355, 

360 

fuscus,  353,  355 
glaucus,  353,  354,  355 
Jamesoni,  354 
marinus,  30,  352,  353,  354 
ridibundus,  353,  354 
Lathamus,  253,   255,    250,    260,    2(57, 

2(59,  270 

discolor,  137,  262 
Leptoptila,  312,  313 
Leptoptilus,  93,  422,  425,  428,  429 

argala,  419,  425,  427,  42s 
crumeniferus,  425,  42S 
Leptosomus,  54,  205,  206,  207,  20S 

discolor,  206 
Lestris,  339,  350,  351,  353,  354,  357. 

Sec  also  Stercorarius 
antarcticus,  351,  352,  354,  355 
crepidiitus,  351,  .''>•">  ( 
pomatorhinus,  354 
Leuconerpes  candidus,  185,  18fi,  187 
Leucopternis,  47(5 
Leucosarcia,  312,  313 

picata,  311 

Licmetis,  263,  268,  2(59 
Limosa,  339,  340,  341,  343,  348 
ffigocephala,  345 
rufa,  343,  345 
Lipaugus  cineraceus,  180 
Lithornis,  419 

vulturinus,  484 
Lobiphasianus  Bulweri,  293 
Lobivanellus,  337,  342 

atronuchalis,  342 
Lomvia  troile,  363,  364.    Sec  also  Uria 

troile 
Lophoaetus,  478 

occipitalis,  474,  477,  478 
Lopholaemus,  310,  311,  312,  313 

antarcticus,  310 

Lophophorus  impeyanus,  128,  293 
Lophopsittacus  mauritianus,  271 
Loriculus,  260,  268,  269 
galgulus,  262 
chrysonotns,  262 
Lorius,  20,  256,  259,    260,    263,    266, 

268,  269 
domicella,  267 
navo-palliatus,  263,  266 
lory,  262 
Lundacirrhata,  359,  360,  3(51,  362,  364, 

365 
Lyncornis,  243 


MACH/ERH.VMPHUS  Andersoni,  351 
Machetes,  341,  343 

pugnax,  3  15 


Macrodipteryx,  242 
Macropteryx,  226 

mystacea,  226 
Macropygia,  311,  312,  313 

leptogrammica,  308 
Majaqueus,  445 
Malacoptila  fusca,  189 
Manucodia,  59,  175 
atra,  177 
Megacephalon,  291,  298,  299 

maleo,  294,  296,   297, 

300 
Megalsema,  101,    102,    141,   187,    191, 

192,  193,  195 
asiatica,  192,  193,  195,  196, 

197 

Franklini,  192,  195 
Hodgscni,  192 
javensis,  192 
virens,  192,  195,  196 
Megalapteryx,  524 
Megapodius,  291 
Meiglyptes,  82,  194 
Melanerpes  erythrocephalon.  ls5 

formicivorus,  1S5 
Melanitta  fusca,  463,  464 
Meleagris,  290,  291,  292,  298,  304 
gallo-pavo,  290 
ocellata,  293 
Melierax,  476,  478 

monogrammicus,  474,  478 
polyzonus,  474 

Melopsittacus,  12,  260,  268,  2(59 
Menura,  137,  146,  161,  172,  177,  182, 

183,  298,  375 
superba,  67,  173 
Mergus,  455,  459,  462,  463,  465,  466, 

467,  468 

albicillus,  458,  459 
castor,  459 

merganser,  458,  459,  460 
Merops,  208,  210,  447 

ornatus,  209 
Mesites,  366,  370,  371,  377,  379,  380, 

383 

Mcsoptcnjx,  149,  524 
Metopidius,  125,  347 

at'ricanus,  341 
peposaca,  459,  463,  468 
Metropelia,  312,  313 
Microglossa,  257,  263,  26s 

aterrima,  255,  256,  262 
Microhierax    ccrrulescens,    473,    474, 

475 

Micropallas,  245 

Micropus  melanoleuca,  227,  229,  230 
Mi  hi/- ft,  356 
Milvago,  475 

chima-chima,  473 
chiniangu,  47  1,  176 


INDEX 


543 


Milvus,  47(5 

u  tinus,  474,  475,  477 
Mitua,  '21)1 

tonientosa,  '21(1,  293 
tuberosa,  293 

Mcmotus,  -200,  210,  211,  212.  213 
if  [uatorialis,  211 
bvusiliensis,  211 
Lt'ssoni,  211 
Monasa,  188 

panamensis,  188 
nigrifrons,  189 
Morplinus,  476 
Motacilla,  174 
Mulleripicus  fulvus,  185 
Mullerornis,  522 
Musophaga,  17,  282,  283,  300 

violacea,  283 
Mycteria,  427 

americana,  425,  42s 
Myiophoneus  Horsrieldi,  177 


NASITEENA,  268 

Necropsittacus  rodericanus,  271 

Xccrornis,  2s2 

Neophron  percnopterus,  473 

Ni-socichla  eremita,  177 

Nesolimnas,  330,  331 

Dieft'enbachii,  330 
Nestor,  259,  2(50,  261,  263,    265,  2(57, 

21)8.  270,  271,  457 
meridionalis,  2152 
notabilis,  264 
Nipponia  Temminckii,  435 
Nisaetus,  476 
Nisus,  79 
Nothocercus,  486 
Nothocrax  urumutum,  422 
Nothura,  12.  99.  491 

maculosa,  487,  488,  4,^9,  490 

491 

major,  4S9 
Xotornis,  330 

Mantclli,  330 
Numenius,  5.  125.  150,  337,  33*,  339, 

340,  341. 343 
arquauis,  339,  344,  345 
femoralis,  116 
phu'opus,  343,  37s 
Numida,  291,  29S,  304 

cristata,  293,  300 
Edouardi,  293 
meleagris,  293 
I'tilorhyncha,  293 
vulturina,  293 
Nycfpr,  nivea,  245,  24li 
Nyctibius,  232,  241,  212 

jamaiccnsis,  239 
Nycticorax,  428 


Ny,'ti:/orux  c-alcdonicus,  4.".l) 
Garden!,  97,  4:;i 
•j;riseus,  431,  44s 
violaceus,  430 

Nyctidromus,  234,  236,  237,  242 
albicollis,  231,  235 

Nyctiornis,  209 

Nymphicus,  269 

Nyroca,  4li3 

leucophthalraa,  459 


s,   322,   323,   324,   330,    331, 

457 

Earlei,  321,  322,  323,  324 
lafresnayanus,  322 
sylvestris,  322 
Oc-yphaps,  312,  313 
Ocypterus,  174,  LS2 
Odontophorus,  291 

dentatus,  293 
<  Idontopteryx,  384 

folia/liens,  21,  160,   41S 
(Kdemia  nigra,  464,  466,  468 
(Edicnemns,   37,   146,    261,    333,   335, 
338,   340,  343,  345,  34s, 
357,  383,  400,  44s 
bistriatus,  341,  343,  346 
crepitans,  343,  344,  345 
grallarius,    341,    343,    345. 

.Sir  also  Burrhinus 
superciliavis,  343 
(Ena,  312,  314 
CEstrelata,  445 

brevirostris,  447 
Lessoni,  447 

Opisthocomus,  17,  21,  54,  96,  97,  99, 
10S,  109,  116,120,  123, 
124,  128,  131,  144,  165, 
284,  2S6,  287,  2SS,  2S9, 
290,  317,  448,  532 
cristitus,  10S,  285,  286, 

288 

Oreopsittacus  Arfaki,  253 
Orioius,  174 
Ortalis,  292,  299 

alliiventris.  291,  294,  'J99 
Orthonyx,  54 
Ortyx  cristata,  29.". 
Gambelii,  293 
virginianus,  293 
Ossiiraga,  445,  447,  449 
Otidiphaps,    305 
Otis,    80,    93,    98,  309.   3ls,  331,   332, 

333,  334,  335.  379.  382 
tarda,  332,  333,  334,  335 
Otus  vulgaris,  245.    Sec  also  Asio  otus 

I'si  /iron  \i*.  52) 

cy,  401 


o44         STl!l~C'n~RK    AND    CLASSIFICATION    OF    IJ1UMS 


lin.  444 
PulcBocicoitia,  444 
PalcBogrus,  379 
Palceoperdix,  804 
Palteornis,  260,  2(5:-},  2158.  26'.l 

Alexanclri,  262 

Paleeolimnas  cliathamensis,  330 
Paltfortyx,  304 
Palceospheniscus,  401 
PalcBotringa,  356 

Palamedea,  17,  76,  84,  88,  89,  91,  92, 
'.14,  99,  102,  103,  107, 
108,  110,  165,  304,  451. 
452,  454,  455,  500,  501, 
533 

cornuta,  108 
Pandion,   13,    17,    25,   103,   117,    245, 

249,  253,  472,  478,  479,  484 
Panyptila  melanoleuca,  226,  227 
Panidisea,  174 

rubra,  173 

Parra,  324,  340,  341,  347 
albinucha,  347 
jacana,  341 
sinensis,  342 
Parus  major,  30,  31 
Pastor  roseus,  177 
Pauxi  galeata,  299 
Patagona  gigas,  226 
Pavo,  16,  291,  292 

cristatus,  290,  293 
muticus,  293 
nigripennis,  293 
spicifer,  293,  294 
Pedionomus,  319,  320 

torquatus,  319 
Pelargopsis,  198 
Pclartjornis,  419 
Pelecanoides,  2,  86,  122,  417,  445,  44fi, 

447,  448 

Pelecanus,  79,  150,  402,  403,  404,  405, 
406,  409,  410,  411,  412, 
413,415,  416,417,  418 
conspicillatus,  406 
crispus,  406,  407 
fuscus,  406,  407 
mitratus,  403,  406,  407 
onocrotalus,  403,  406,  407 
rufescens,  403,  406,  407,  409 
trachyrhynchus,  5 
PelccyorniK,  384 
Penelope  cristata,  293 
cujubi,  294 
jacucaca,  294 
pileata,  294 
Perdicula,  298 
Perdix,  146,  290 

cinerea,  293 
Peristera,  312,  313 

Geoff roii,  308 


Pernis.  13 

aphoru-;.  17,  473 
Pczophaps,  3i4,  315 

xiilifnriiis,  314 

Phaethon.    150.     151,    226.    402,    403, 
404,  405,    406,   409.  4 JO, 
411,  412,  415,  417,  4ls 
eandidus,  351 
tfavirostris,  409 
rubricauda,  351 
Phaethornis,  86,  226 
Phalacrocorax,  14,  123,  134,  151,  384, 
390,  404,   405,  400, 
408,  409,   410,   411, 
412,  413,  415,    416, 
4112 

africanus.  404,  405 
bimstatus,  411 
brasiliensis,  402.  403, 

404,  405,  418 
carbo,   402,  4(»3.   401, 

405,408,  410 
graculus,  402 
lugubris,  405 
perspicillatits,  411 
varius,  408 
Phaleris,  357,  363,  364 

psittacula,  362,  363,  365 
Phaps,  305,  309,  311,  312,  313 
chalcoptera,  305,  308 
elegans,  305,  308 
Pharomacrus  mocinno,  99,  204 
Phasianus,  291,  304 

versicolor,  293 
Pheba-tria,  2 
Pheucticus,  175 
Philepitta,  174,  180,  181 
Phlogo-nas,  312,  313 

cruentatus,  305,  307,  308, 

309 

Staivi,  305,  308,  309 
Phcenicophaes,  275,  276,  277,  279,  280, 

281 
Phrenicopterns.  53,  73.  K4.  93,  94.  101, 

152,336,  419,  440,  441 
Phonygama,  60 
PhororJiacos,  384,  385,  4(i9 

longissimus,  384 
Photodilns,  3,  244,  247,  248,  249,  250, 

251,  252 
badius,  34,  244 
Phrenotrix,  173 
Phytotoma,  182 

rara,  21 
Piaya,  274,  276,  277,  278,  280 

cayana,  241,  274,  275, 277,  279 
Picoides,  2 

tridactylus.  185 
Picolaptf?-  at'finis, 
f.  9s 


INDEX 


Picas  major,  185 

minor,  185,  186 

viridis,     184,     185.       See    also 

Gecinus  viridis 
Pionopsitta,  269 

pileata,  262 

Pionus,  254,  256,  257,  269,  270 
Maximilian!,  '262 
senilis,  262 
Pipile  cumanensis,  294 

jacutinga,  294 
Pitta,  181 
i'latalea,  24,   30,   409,  422,  423,   429, 

435,  439, 442 
ajaja,  435,  43(5,  438,  439  (  =  P. 

rosea,  q.v.) 
alba,  438 
leucorodia,   55,  57,   435,  437, 

439 
rosea,     227,    434    (  =  Platalea 

ajaja,  q.v.) 
Platycercus,  255, 256, 257, 261, 263,  -Jli'.). 

270 

Barnardi,  258,  261,  262 
pallidiceps,  261,  262 
Pennanti,  264 
Plectropterus,  452,  465,  466 

gambensis,     458,     459, 

465,  466,  468 
niger,  459,  465 
Buppelli,  465 
Plegadis  faleinellus,  435 
Plotus,    19,    134,    384,    402,  403,  404, 
405,  406,408,  409,  410,411, 

412,  413,  415,  416,  418 
anhinga,    22,    402,    403,    412, 

413,  414,  415 
Levaillanti,  403,  413,  415 
melanogastei1,  402,   403,   413, 

415 

Nova-  Holland!;!',  413 
Pluvianus,  350 
Puoi'pyga,  173 

Podargus,  73,  74,  79,98, 101,  232,  234, 
235,  237,  239,  240,  242, 
243,  244 

Cuvieri,  231,  235,  236 
Podasocys  montanus,  338 
Podica,  325,  326,  327,  329,  404,  446 

senegalensis,  93,  128,  325,  327, 

328 
Podicipes,    98,    326,    327,    386,    389, 

394 

cornutus,  388,  389 
cristatus,  387,  389 
minor,  3H7,  388 
Podilymbus,  386 
Podoa,  391 

surinamensis,   325.      Sec  ulxn 
Heliornis  surinamensis 


Poecilonetta  bahamensis,  1511 
Pueocephalus,  256,  259,  260,  261,  26S, 

270 

Pogonorhynchus  bidontatus,  195 
Polyboroides,  472,  474,  479 
typicus,  474. 
Polyborus,  474 

brasiliensis,  474,  476,  477 
Polyplectron  bicalcaratum,  293 

chinquis,  293 
Polyteles,  256,  257,  268 

melanurus,  25S 
Porphyrio,  55,  87,  324 

madagascariensis,  322 
martinicus,  32:j 
Porzana  Carolina,  321.  322 

notata,  322 
Priori,  446 

Prioniturus,  268,  2159 
Prionorhynchus,  210 
Procellaria,  445 

gigantea,  449 
Propelargus,  444 
Psarisomus,  178 
Psephotus,  255,  260,  269,  270 
Psittacula,  86,  260,  269,  270 

passerina,  254,  351 
Psittacus,  89,  254,  256,  257,  259,  260, 

263,  2(56,  269,  270 
erithacus,  262,  263 
Psittinus,  268,  269 

malaccensis,  262 

Psophia,  16,  123,  137,  143,  14(5,  161, 
165,  298,  357,  366,  371, 
374,  375,  376,  377,  378, 
379, 382 

leucoptera,  375,  376 
Pterocles,  3,  34,  80,  So,  14s,  -jss,  :U)7, 
308,  309,    313,    315,  :;16 
317,  318,  351,  386 
alchata,  316 
arenarius,  316,  317 
Pteroglossus,  190 

Wiedi,  192 
Pteroptochus,  299 
Ptilonorhynchus  holosericeus,  177 
violaceus,  99,  175 
Ptilopachys,  298 

ventralis,  300 

Ptilopus,  305,  306,  307,  309,  312,  314 
assimilis,  305 
jambu,  306,  3()« 
melanocephalus,  308 
coronulatus,  305  307,308 
puella,  305 
snperbus,  305,  307 
P  ul satrix,  246 

torquata,  245,  2 
Pygoscelos.  H9(i,  39s,  399, 
a,  397 


546         STRUCTURE    AND   CLASSIFICATION    OF    BIRDS 


Pyrrhocentor,  275,  276,  277,  278,  279, 

281 

celebensis,  279 
Pyrrhula,  268,  270 
Pyrrhulopsis,  255,  266,  257,  200,  203, 

269,  270 
personata,  264 
splendens,  2152 

QUERQUEDULA  circia,  459 
crecca,  467 
Quiscalus  versicolor,  176 

RALLUS,  143,  322,  331 

aquaticus,  321,  322 
maculatus,  323 


Eollulus  coronatus,  293 
Rupicola,  54,  179 

SARCIDIORNIS,  452,  462,  465 

carunculata,  459,  468 
melanonota,  459,  461 
Sarcorhamphus,  50,  101,  481,  482 
Sauromarptis,  198 

Gaudichaudi,  198 
Sauropates,  198 

albicilla,  198,  199 
sanctus,  198 
Saurothera,  272,  274,   276,  277,  '27s, 

280 

dominicensis,  279 
Scaniornis,  444 


Becurvirostra,  5,   337,  338,   341,  343,  |    Schizorhis,  2S2,  283,  2S4 


348,  357 
avocetta,  337,  339,  343 

Remiornis,  419 

Rhamphastos,  17,  25,  81,  190,  194 
ariel,  192 
carinatus,  99,  190 
Cuvieri,  83 
dicolorns,  190,  191 


africanus,  283 
Scolopax,  337,  341,  342,  343 

rnsticola,  343,  344,  345 
Scops  asio,  245 

Lempiji,  245,  246 
leucotis,  245,  251 
Scopus,  99, 343, 419, 420,  421, 422, 432, 

434, 440 
umbretta,  118,  420,  434 


tocard,  190 

Rhea,2,  18,  34,  81,  101,  108,  128,  132,       Scythrops,  241,  275,  278,  279,  280 
140,  162,  311,  490,  491,  495,   I    Selenidera,  190 


497,  498,  500,  502,  503,  505, 
506,  507,  509,  511,  512,  513, 
514,  525,  526,  527,  528 
americana,    34,   498,    506,  507, 

508, 511 

Darwini,  34,  505,  507,  511 
macrorhyncha,  506,  511 
Rhinochetus,   17,  146,   147,  149,  232, 
335,    357,    366,    370, 
371,    372,    377,    378, 
379,    380,    381,    383, 
441,  480 

jubatus,  369,  370 
Rhinococcyx,  272,  280 
llhinogryphus,  481 

californianus,  473 
Rhinopomastus,  222, 
Rhodonessa  caryophyllacea,  459,  461 
Rhynchtea,  16,  337,  342 

austvalis,  60,  345 
capensis,  60,  345 
Rhynchops,  5,  78,  350,  351,  352,  353, 

355,  470 
Rhynchotus,  83,  489,  491 

perdicarius,  486 
rufescens,  31,   486,    487 

489,  491,  492 
Rhytidiceros    plicatus,   99,    289.     See 

also  Buceros  plicatus 
Rimator  malacoptilus,  177 
Rissa  tridactyla,  351,  354 
Rollulus,  291 


Seleucides,  174 

nigra,  58,  177 
Serilopha,  178 

Serpentarius,    57,   93,    145,  336,  382, 
472,    474,   479,   480, 
481,  484.      See  also 
Gypogeranus 
reptilivorus,  477 
robustus,  484 
Somateria,  463 

raollissima,  464 
Spatula  clypeata,  459 
Speotyto,  247,  248 

cunicularia,  246,  247 
Sphagolobus    atratus,  219,  221.      See 

also  Buceros  atratus 
Spheniscus,  360,  396 

demersus,  41,  397,  398,  400 
Huiuboldti,  400 
magellanicus,  398 
mendiculus,  397 
Sphyrapicus  nuchalis,  184 

varius,  185 

Spiloglaux  Novae  Zelandiag,  244 
Spilornis,  476 

bacha,  473 
cheela,  473 
Spizaetus,  54,  476 

caligatus,  477 
coronatus,  57,  477 
Squatarola  helvetica,  344 
Starnajnas,  312,  314 


INDEX 


047 


Steatornis,  09,  70,  112,  147,  1(>1,  232, 

233,  234,  235,  236,  237, 

239,  240,  241,  242,  243, 

276 

caripensis,    233,   234,  235, 

240 

Htcrcorarius,  351.     Sec  also  Lestris 
Steri'ornis,  385 
Sterna,  20, 126,  338,  350,  352,  353,  354, 

470 

cantiiica,  354 
hirundo,  20,  359 
Sternula,  3515 
Strepera,  175 

graculina,  177 
Strepsilas,  343 

intevpres,  343,  345 
Strictonetta  mevosa,  403 
Stringops,  128,  253,  257,  258,  259,  200, 
201,  202,  203,  265,  20<i, 
268,  269,  270,  271.  457, 
520 

habroptilus,  255,  250,  264 
Strix,  244,  245,  247,  248,  249,  250,  252. 

See.  also  Hybris 
flammea,  245,  247 
Nova  Hollandise,  245 
pratincola,  245 
Tengmalmi,  245 
Struthidea  cinerea,  43,  177 
Struthio,  12,  28,  30,  64,  82,  85,  88,  89, 
148,    462,  493,  495,    498, 
500,  501,    502,  503,    500, 
507,  510,   512,    525,  526, 
527,  528 

camelus,  28,  495,  505,  506 
molybdophanes,  495 
Fturnella,  174 
Sula,  403,  404,  405,  408,  411,  412,  413, 

415,  416,  418 
bassana,  403,  404 
fusca,  404 
Surnia  t'unerea,  246 
Syma,  199,  200 
Synallaxis,  182 
Synthliborhamphus,  359 

antiquus,359,  360, 
361,    363,    304, 
305 
Syrnium,  42 

aluco,  245,  240 
nebulosum,  245,  246 
Syrrhaptes,  3,  33,  315,  317 
paradoxus,  34 


TACHYBAPTES,  386,  388 

fluviatilis,  389 
Tachyeres,  460,  400 

cinereus,  450,  460,  408 


Tadorna  tadornoides,  459 

vulpanser,  466 
Talegalla,  291,  298,  299 

Lathami,  294,  300,  304 
Tanagni  festiva,  177 
sayaca,  177 
Tantalus,  71,  422,  423,  425,  428,  429, 

442,  491 

ibis,  22,  425,  426,  428 
leucocephalus,  427 
loculator,  00,  08,  425,  428, 

434 

Milne- Edwardsi,  444 
Tanygnathus,  250,  257,  260,  268,  209 

Muelleri,  202 

Tanysiptera,  197,  199,  200 
Taoperdix,  304 
Telmatornis,  471 
Teracus,  484 
Tetragonops,  192 
Tetrao,  290,  291,  298,  304 
cupiclo,  293,  303 
phasianellus,  293 
tetrix,  293,  290 
urogallus,    60,  293,    298,    301 

321 

Tetrapteryx,  368,  369,  375 
Tetrax,  2,  331,  332,  333 

campestris,  332 
Thalassiarche,  86,  353 
Thalassoeca  glacialoides,  449 
Thaumalea  Amherstire,  293 

picta,  292 

Thinocorus,  21,  144,  318,  319,  338,  349 
rumicivorus,  341,  343,  350 
Thrasaetus,  476 

harpyia,  473 
Tiga,  2 

javanensis,  185 
Shorei,  184,  185 
Tigrisoma  brasiliense,  430,  431 

leucoloplium,  378 
Tinamus,  134,  394,  395 
robustus,  490 

solitarius,  486,  487,  489,  491 
Tinnunculus,  474,  477 

alaudarius,  101,  473,  475 
Toccus,  116,  216,  218,  222,   487 
Todirhamphus,  19H 
Todus,  16,  212,  213,  241 
Totanus,  341,  343 

calidris,  343 

canutus,  345.  See  also  Tringa 

canuta 

Trachyphonus,  194 
Treron,  312,  314 
Tribonyx,  323 

Mortieri,  322 

Trichoglossus,  255,  250,  257,  200,  20S, 
209 


548          STRUCTURE    AMD   CLASSIFICATION    OF   BIRDS 


Tringa,  343 

alpina,  344 

arenarius,  344 

canutus,  341,  342,  343.  Sec  also 
Totanus  canutus 

cinclus,  345 

Triponax  Feddeni,  120,  188 
Trochalopteron,  175 
Trochilus  Alexandri,  229,  230 

colibris,  227,  228 
Trogongallicus,  202 

mexicanus,  204 

pueila,  203,  204 

Beinwardti,  204 
Turacoena,  312 
Turdus,  174 
Turnix,  319,  320 

Kleinschmidti,  320 

lepurana,  320 

rostrata,  321 

Sykesi,  320 
Tuvtur,  312,  313 
Tympanistria,  312,  313 

bicolor,  308 


UPUPA,  81,  222 
Uranornis  rubra,  177 
Uria,  300,  3(32,  3(53,  394 

columba,    359,    301,    3G3,     304, 
305 


Uria  troile,    359,    3GO,    365.     See  o/so 

Lomv.'a  troile 
Urogalba,  213,  214 

paradisea,  214 
Urubitinga,  470 


VANELLUS,  341,  343,  340,  348 

cayennensis,     00,    07,    343, 

344 

c  istatus,  341,  344 
Vultur,  470 

auricularis,  473,  474   475 
calvus,  478 
fulvus,  474 
monachus,  473 


XANTHOL/KMA,  192,  193 

rosea,  193,  195 
Xenicus,  173,  181 
Xenorhynchus,  05,  95,  424,  429,  432, 

491 

australis,  425,  428 
senegalensis,  424,  425, 
428 


ZENAIDA,  312,  313 
Zenaidura,312,  313 


I'lUNTKTl    BY 

Sl'OTTISWOOnE    AND    CO.,    NKW-STUICET   SCJIUKK 
LONDON 


H  Classified    Catalogue 

OF  WORKS  IN 

GENERAL    LITERATURE 

PUBLISHED    BY 

LONGMANS,  GREEN,  &  CO. 

39    PATERNOSTER   ROW,    LONDON,    E.G. 

91  AND  93  FIFTH  AVENUE   NEW  YORK,  AND  32  HORNBY  ROAD,  BOMBAY. 

CONTENTS. 


PAGE 
IO 


7 
26 


BADMINTON  LIBRARY  (THE)-     - 

BIOGRAPHY,  PERSONAL  ME- 
MOIRS, &c. 

CHILDREN'S  BOOKS 

CLASSICAL  LITERATURE  TRANS- 
LATIONS, ETC.  18 

COOKERY,  DOMESTIC  MANAGE- 
MENT, &c.  -  28 

EVOLUTION,  ANTHROPOLOGY, 
&c.  -  17 

FICTION,  HUMOUR,  &c.   -  -     21 

FUR,  FEATHER  AND  FIN  SERIES     12 

HISTORY,  POLITICS,  POLITY, 
POLITICAL  MEMOIRS,  &c.  3 

LANGUAGE,    HISTORY    AND 


MANUALS    OF    CATHOLIC    PHIL- 
OSOPHY  -     16 

MENTAL,  MORAL,  AND  POLITICAL 
PHILOSOPHY  -  -     14 

MISCELLANEOUS  AND   CRITICAL 

WORKS      -  -     29 

MISCELLANEOUS    THEOLOGICAL 

WORKS      -  -     31 

POETRY  AND  THE  DRAMA  -     18 

POLITICAL  ECONOMY  AND  ECO- 
NOMICS -  -  -  16 
POPULAR  SCIENCE  -  -  24 
SILVER  LIBRARY  (THE)  -  27 
SPORT  AND  PASTIME  -  10 
TRAVEL  AND  ADVENTURE,  THE 


SCIENCE  OF     -                                     -     16 
LONGMANS'    SERIES    OF   BOOKS 
FOR  GIRLS       -                                    -     26 

COLONIES,  &c.         -                 -         -      8 
VETERINARY  MEDICINE,  &c.          -     10 
WORKS  OF  REFERENCE-                       25 

INDEX 

Page 
Abbott  (Evelyn)       -    3,  18 
(T.  K.)               -        14 
(E.  A.)               -        14 
Acland  (A.  H.  D.)    -          3 
Acton  (Eliza)    -        -        28 
Adeane  (J.  H.)-        -          7 
^Eschylus          -        -        18 
Ainger  (A.  C.)  -                 ii 
Albemarle  (Earl  of)  -         ii 
Allen  (Grant)    -        -        24 
Allingham  (W.)        -  18,  29 

(F.)                                         21 

Andre  (R.)         -        -        12 
Anstey  (F.)                -        21 
Archer  (W.)      - 
Aristophanes    -        -        18 
Aristotle   -                 -  14,  18 
Armstrong     (G.     F. 
Savage)          -        -        19 
-  (E.J.  Savage)  7,19,29 
Arnold  (Sir  Edwin)  -    8,  19 
(Dr.  T.)     -        -          3 
Ashley  (W.  J.)-        -        16 
A  teller  du  Lys  (A  uthor 
of)-        -        -        -        26 
Ayre  (Rev.  J.)  -        -        25 

Bacon        -                 -    7,  14 
Baden-Powell  (B.  H.)        3 
Bagehot  (W.)  -      7,  16,  29 
Bagwell  (R.)     -        -          3 
Bain  (Alexander)      -        14 

OF    AUTHO 

Page 
Baker  (Sir  S.  W.)     -    8,  10 
Baldwin  (C.  S.)         -        14 
Balfour  (A.  J.)           -  11,31 
Ball  (John)        -        -          9 
CT    TM                                  a 

RS    AND     El 

Page 
Brogger  (W.  C.) 
Brookings  (W.)         -        29 
Browning  (H.  Ellen)          9 
Buck  (H.  A.)     -        -         ii 
Buckle  (H.  T.)  -        -          3 
Buckton  (C.  M.)        .        28 
Bull  (T.)    -                          28 
Burke  (U.  R.)   -        -          3 
Burrows  (Montagu)            4 
Butler  (E.  A.)  -        -        24 

DITORS. 

Page 
Corbett  (Julian  S.)   -          3 
Corder  (Annie)          -        19 
Coventry  (A.)   -        -         ii 
Cox  (Harding)           -        10 
Crake  (Rev.  A.  D.)    -        26 
Creiehton  (Bishop)-      3,4 
Crozier  (J.  B.)  -        -        14 
Cuningham  (G.  C.)  -          3 
Curzon  (Hon.  G.  N.)          3 
Cutts  (Rev.  E.  L.)    -          4 

Dallinger  (F.  W.)                4 
Davidson  (W.  LO  14,  16,  32 
Davies  (J.  F.)   -        -        18 
Deland  (Mrs  )   -        -  21,  26 
Dent  (C.  T.)      -                 ii 
Deploige  -        -        -        17 
De  Salis  (Mrs.)          -  28,  29 
De  Tocqueville  (A.)  -          3 
Devas  (C.  S.)    -        -         16 
Dickinson  (G.  L.)     -          4 
Diderot              -        -        21 
Dougall  (L.)               -        21 
Douglas  (Sir  G.)       -         19 
Dowell  (S.)        -        -  16,  30 
Doyle  (A.  Conan)     -        21 
Dreyfus  (Irma)          -        30 
Du  Bois  (W.  E.  B.),-          4 
Dufferin  (Marquis  of)         n 
Dunbar  (Mary  F.)     -        20 

Eardley-Wilmot  (Capt. 
S.)      -                           8 

Baring-Gould    (Rev. 
S.)                            -27,29 
Barnett  (Rev.  S.  A.  & 
Mrs.)      -        -        -         16 
Baynes  (T.  S.)  -                 29 
Beaconsfield  (Earl  of)      21 
Beaufort  (Duke  of)  -  10,  n 
Becker  (Prof.)  -                  18 
Beesly  (A.  H.)  -        -         19 
Bell  (Mrs.  Hugh)      -        19 

Cameron  of  Lochiel          12 
Camperdown  (Earl  of)         7 
Cannan  (E.)      -        -         17 

Bent  (J.  Theodore)  - 
Besant  (Sir  Walter)-          3 
Bickerdyke  (J.)                  ii 
Bicknell  (A.  C.) 
Bird  (R.)    -        -        -        31 
Blackwell  (Elizabeth)        7 
Bland  (Mrs.  Hubert)          20 
Boase  (Rev.  C.  W.)  -          4 
Boedder  (Rev.  B.)     -        16 
Bosanquet  (B.)          -        14 
Boyd  (Rev.  A.  K.  H.)  29,  31 
Brassey  (Lady)                    9 
—  (Lord)     '       3,  8,  n,  16 
Brav  (C.  and  Mrs.)  -         14 
Bright  (Rev.  J.  F.)  -          3 
Broadfoot  (Major  W.)      10 

Chesney  (Sir  G.)      -          3 
Chisholm  (G.  G.)      -        25 
Cholmondeley-Pennell 
(H.)                                    ii 
Churchill  (W.  Spencer)      9 
Cicero                        -        18 
Clarke  (Rev.  R.  F.)  -         16 
Clodd  (Edward)         -         17 
Clutterbuck  (W.  J.)-          9 
Cochrane  (A.)  -                 19 
Coleridge  (S.  T.)               20 
Comyn  (L.  N.)          -        26 
Conington  (John)     -         18 
Conybeare(Rev.W.  J.) 
&  Howson  (Dean)         27 
Coolidge  (W.  A.  B.)          9 

INDEX     OF 

Page 
Ebrington  (Viscount)       12 
Egbert  (J.  C.)    -        -        18 
Eggleston  (E.)  -        -          4 
Ellis  (J.  H.)      -        -        12 
-  (R.  L.)       -        -        14 
Evans  (Sir  John)      -        30 

Farrar  (Dean)   -        -  16,  21 
Fitzwygram  (Sir  F.)         10 
Folkard  (H.  C.)                 12 
Ford  (H.)  -                 -        12 
Fowler  (Edith  H.)    -        21 
Foxcroft  (H.  C.)       -          7 
Francis  (Francis)      -         12 
Freeman  (Edward  A.)          4 
Froude  (James  A.)  4,  7,  9,  21 
Furneaux  (W.)                  24 

Gallon  (W.  F.)                   17 
Gardiner  (Samuel  R.)          4 
Gathorne-Hardy  (Hon. 
A.  E.)                   -         12 
Gerard  (Dorothea)   -        26 
Gibbons  (J.  S.)          -  11,  12 
Gibson  (Hon.  H.)     -         13 
-(C.  H.)       -        -        14 
(Hon.  W.)          -        32 
Gilkes  (A.  H.)  -        -        21 
Gill(H.J.)         -        -        22 
Gleig  (Rev.  G.  R.)    - 
Goethe              -        -        19 
Graham  (P.  A.)         -  13,  21 
—  (G.  F.)       -        -         16 
Granby  (Marquis  of)         12 
Grant  (Sir  A.)  -        -        14 
Graves  (R.  P.)  -        -          7 
Green  (T.  Hill)          -        14 
Greville  (C.  C.  F.)    -          4 
Grey  (Maria)              -        26 
Grose  (T.  H.)   -                 14 
Grove  (F.  C.)    -                  n 
(Mrs.  Lilly)       -        n 
Gurdon  (  Lady  Camilla)     21 
Gurney  (Rev.  A.)               19 
Gwilt  (J.)  -        -        -        25 

Haggard  (H.   Rider)  21,  22 
Hake(O.)-                          n 
Halliwell-Phillipps(J.)       8 
Hamlin  (A.  D.  F.)     -         30 
Hammond  (Mrs.  J.  H.)       4 
Hampton  (Lady  Laura)   30 
Harding  (S.  B.)                    4 
Harte  (Bret)               -        22 
Harting(J.  E.)-                 12 
Hartwig  (G.)                       24 
Hassall  (A.)                           6 
Haweis  (Rev.  H.  R.)    7,  30 
Heath  (D.  D.)  -                 14 
Heathcote  (J.  M.and 
C.  G.)                            ii 
Helmholtz  (Hermann 
von)    -                          24 
Henderson      (Lieut- 
Col.  G.  F.)         -          7 
Henry  (W.)                -         11 
Herbert  (Col.  Kenney)      12 
Hewins  (W.  A.  S.)   -         17 
Hill  (Sylvia  M.)                 21 
Hillier  (G.  Lacy)                10 
Hime(Lieut.-Col.  H. 
W.  L.)                         30 
Hodgson  (ShadworthH.)  14 
Holroyd  (Maria  J.)  -          7 
Hope  (Anthony)                 22 
Horace                       -        18 
Hornung  (E.  W.)     -        22 
Houston  (D.  F.)        -          4 
Howell  (G.)                -         16 
Howitt  (W.)                         9 
Hudson  (W.  H.)       -        24 
Hueffer  (F.  M.)         -          7 
Hume  (David)  -        -        14 
Hunt  (Rev.  W.)        -          4 
Hutchinson  (Horace  G.)  n 

Ingelow  (Jean            -  19,  26 

James  (W.)                        14 
Jefferies  (Richard)    -        30 

AUTHORS 

Page 
Jenery-Shee  (R.)       -         17 
Jerome  (Jerome  K.)  -        22 
Johnson  (J.  &  J.  H.)          30 
Jones  (H.  Bence)      -        25 
Jordan  (W.  L.)         -         16 
owett  (Dr.  B.)         -        17 
oyce  (P.  W.)    -       5,  22,  30 
ustinian  -        -        -         14 

Kalisch  (M.  M.)        -        32 
Kant  (I.)    -                          14 
Kaye  (Sir  J.  W.)                  5 
Kerr  (Rev.  J.)    -        -         n 
Killick  (Rev.  A.  H.)  -        14 
Kitchin  (Dr.  G.  W.)           4 
Knight  (E.  F.)  -        -    9,  n 
Kostlin  (J.)        -        -    "      7 

Ladd(G.  T.)     -        -         15 
Lang  (Andrew)  5,  10,  n,  13, 
17,  18,  19,  20,  22,  26,  30,  32 
Lascelles  (Hon.  G.) 

10,  II,  12 

Laughton  (J.  K.) 
Laurie  (S.  S.)   -                   5 
Layard  (Nina  F.)               19 
Leaf  (Walter)   -        -        31 
Lear  (H.  L.  Sidney)  -        29 
Lecky  (W.  E.  H.)     -    5,  19 
Lees  (J.  A.)       -        -          9 
Lejeune  (Baron)       -          7 
Leslie  (T.  E.  Cliffe)  -        16 
Lester  (L.  V.)    -                   7 
Levett-Veats  (S.)      -        22 
Lewes  (G.  H.)  -        -        15 
Lillie  (A.)  -        -        -        13 
Lindleyfj.)        -        -        25 
Lodge  (H.  C.)   -                   4 
Loftie  (Rev.  W.  J.)  -          4 
Longman  (C.  J.)    10,13,30 
if:   \A/  \                          T:, 

AND      EDIT 

Page 
Morgan  (C.  Lloyd)  -         17 
Morris  (W.)       -    20,  22,  31 
—  (Mowbray)                  ii 
Mulhall  (M.  G.)                  17 
Munk  (W.)        -        -          7 

Nansen  (F.)       -        -          9 
Nesbit  (E.)        -        -        20 
Nettleship  (R.  L.)    •         14 
Newdigate  -  Newde- 
gate  ^ady)         -          8 
Newman  (Cardinal)  -        22 

Ogle(W.)-        -        -        18 
Oliphant  (Mrs.)         -         22 
Oliver  (W.  D.)                     9 
Onslow  (Earl  of)       -         n 
Orchard  (T.  N.)         -        31 
Osbourne  (L)    -        -        23 

Park  (W.)          -        -         13 
Parr  (Louisa)    -        -        26 
Pavne-Gallwey    (Sir 
'  R.)                -        -ii,  13 
Peek  (Hedley)  -        -         n 
Pembroke  (Earl  of)  -         ii 
Phillipps-Wolley  (C.)  10,22 
Pleydell-Bouverie  (E.  O.)  n 
Pole  (W.)  ---         13 
Pollock  (W.  H.)        -         ii 
Poole(W.  H.  and  Mrs.)     29 
Poore  (G.  V.)    -        -        31 
Potter  (J.)          -        -         16 
Praeger  (S.  Rosamond)    26 
Prevost  (C.)       -        -         ii 
Pritchett  (R.  T.)       -         ii 
Proctor  (R.  A.)  13,  24,  28,  31 

Quill  (A.  W.)    -        -         18 
Quintana  (A.)   -        -        22 

Raine  (Rev.  James)  -          4 
Ransome  (Cyril)        -          3 
Rawlinson         (Rev. 
Canon)        -                   8 
Rhoades  (J.)      -        -         18 
Rhoscomyl  (O.)         -        23 
Ribblesdale  (Lord)   -         13 
Rich  (A.)  -        -        -         18 
Richardson  (C.)         -         12 
Richman  (I.  B.)        -          6 
Richmond  (Ennis)    -        31 
Rickaby  (Rev.  John)         16 

O  R  S  —  continued. 

Page 
Soulsby  (Lucy  H.)       26,  31 
Spedding  (J.)     •         -    7,  14 
Sprigge  (S.  Squire)  -          8 
Stanley  (Bishop)       -        24 
Steel  (A.  G.)      -        -        10 
-(J.H.)        -        -        10 
Stephen  (Leslie)       -          9 
Stephens  (H.  Morse)          6 
Stevens  (R.  W.)                 31 
Stevenson  (R.  L.)     -  23,  26 
Stock  (St.  George)   -        15 
'Stonehenge'    -        -        10 
Storr  (F.)  -        -        -         14 
Stuart-Wortley(A.J.)  11,12 
Stubbs  (J.  W.)-        -          6 
Sturdy  (E.  T.)  -        -        30 
Suffolk  &  Berkshire 
(Earl  of)     -        -        ii 
Sullivan  (Sir  E.)       -        ii 

Sully  (James)    -         -         15 
Sutherland  (A.  and  G.)        6 
—  (Alex.)       -        -  15,  31 
Suttner  (B.  von)        -        23 
Swinburne  (A.  J.)     -        15 
Symes  (J.  E.)    -        -        17 

Tacitus              -        -        18 
Tavlor  (Col.  Meadows)    17 
—  (Una)         -        -        23 
Tebbutt  (C.  G.)                  ii 
Thompson  (N.  G.)   -        13 
Thornhill  (W.  J.)              18 
Thornton  (T.  H.) 
Todd  (A.)                              6 
Toynbee  (A.)     •         -        17 
Trevelyan(SirG.O.)          7 
-(C.  P.)                          17 
Trollope  (Anthonv)  -        23 
Tupper  (J.  L.)  -    '    -        20 
Turner  (H.  G.)          -        31 
Tvndall  (J.)                           9 
Tyrrell  (R.  Y.)  -        -        18 

Upton    (F.     K.    and 
Bertha)       -                 26 

Vaughan  (Cardinal)  -         17 
Verney   (Frances   P. 
andMargaretM.)         8 
Virgil                          -        18 
Vivekananda  (Swami)      32 
Vivian  (Herbert)       -          9 

Wakeman  (H.  O.)     -          6 
Walford  (L.  B.)                 23 
Walker  (jane  H.)     -        29 
Wallas  (Graham) 
Walpole  (Sir  Spencer)        6 
Walrond  (Col.  H.)    -        10 
Walsingham  (Lord)-        n 
Walter  (J.) 
Warwick  (Countess  of)    31 
Watson  (A.  E.T.) 

IO,  11,12,  23 

Waylen  (H.  S.  H.)   -        30 
Webb  (Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Sidney)       -                 17 
-  (T.  E.)                -        19 
Weber  (A.)                 -        15 
Weir  (Capt.  R.)                  ii 
Weyman  (Stanley)  -        23 
Whately(Archbishop)  14,  15 

(r.  vv  .;                          13 
—  (G.  H.)       -        -  ii,  12 
Lubbock  (Sir  John)  -         17 
Lucan                                   18 
Lutoslawski  (W.)     -        15 
Lyall  (Edna)      -                 22 
Lyttelton  (Hon.  R.  H.)     10 

Lytton  (Earl  of)        -         19 

MacArthur  (Miss  E.  A.)  17 
Macaulay  (Lord)        5,  6,  20 
MacColl  (Canon)       -          6 
Macdonald  (G.)                     9 
—  (Dr.  G.)              -  20,  32 
Macfarren  (Sir  G.  A.)        30 
Mackail  (J.  W.)                  18 
Mackinnon  (J.)                     6 
Macleod  (H.  D.)                 16 
Macpherson  (Rev.  H.  A.)i2 
Madden  (D.  H.)        -        13 
Maher  (Rev.  M.)       -         16 
Malleson  (Col.  G.  B.)          5 
Mandello  (J.)                       17 
Marbot  (Baron  de)    - 
Marshman  (J.  C.)                 7 
Martineau  (Dr.  James)     32 
Maskelyne  (J.  N.)     -         13 
Maunder  (S.)    -                  25 
Max  Muller  (F.) 
7,  15,  16,  30,  32 
.  (Mrs  )                           o 

Ridley  (Annie  E.)     -          7 
(Sir  E  )      -        -         18 

Riley  (J.  W.)                       20 
Roget  (Peter  M.)       -  16,  25 
Rolfsen  (N.)      - 
Romanes  (G.  J.) 
8,  15,  17,  20,  32 
/\Trc  ^                             e 

Ronalds  (A.)                        13 
Roosevelt  (T.)  -                   4 
Rossetti  (Maria  Fran- 
cesca)     -        -        -        31 
-  (W.  M.)                       20 
Rowe  (R.  P.  P.)         -         ii 
Russell  (Bertrand)    -         17 
-(Alys)         -        -         17 

Saintsbury  (G.)          -         12 
Sandars  (T.  C.)                    14 
Schreiner  (S.  C.  Cron- 
wright)                         10 
Seebohm  (F.)    -        -      6,  8 
Selous  (F.  C.)   -        -         10 
Selss  (A.  M.)              -        19 
Sewell  (Elizabeth  M.)       23 
Shakespeare      -        -        20 
Shand  (A   I.)     •         -         12 
Sharpe  (R.  R.)  -                   6 
Shearman  (M.)          -         10 
Sinclair  (A.)      -        -        n 
Smith  (R.  Bosworth)          6 
(T    C  \                                 A 

Mav  (Sir  T.  Erskine)          6 
Meade  (L.  T.)  -                26 
Melville  (G.J.Whyte)      22 

Meriv.ilj  (Dean)        -          6 
Merrnr.  .  .  'H.  S.)      -        22 
Mill  (James)      -        -         15 
—  (John  Stuart)    -  15,  17 
Milner  (G.)        -        -        30 
Miss  Mollv  (A  uthor  of)      26 
Moffat  (D".)                          13 
Molesworth  (Mrs.)   -        26 
Monck(W.  H.  S.)     •         15 
Montague  (F.  C.)     -          6 
Montagu  (Hon.  John 
Scott)          -        -        xa 
Moore  (T.)                -        25 
—  (Rev.  Edward)  -         14 

Whishaw  (F.  J.)        -        23 
White  (W.  Hale)              20 
White'aw  (R.)  -                 18 
Wilcocks  (J.  C.)        -        13 
Wilkins  (G.)      -                 18 
Willich  (C.  M.)         -        25 
Wills  (Freeman) 
Witham  (T.  M.)        -        « 
Wood  (Rev.  J.  G.)   -        25 
Wood-Martin  (W.  G.)        6 
Woods  (Margaret  L.)       23 
Wordsworth  (Elizabeth)  26 

1  1  .  v^.)                               4 
—  (W.  P.  Haskett)          9 
Soderini  (Count  E.)-        17 
Solovyofi  (V.  S.)                31 
Sophocles                            18 

Wylie(J.  H.)    -        -          6 
Youatt  (W.j       -                 10 
Zeller(E.)         -        -        15 

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THE  BADMINTON  LIBRARY. 

Edited  by  HIS  GRACE  THE  DUKE  OF  BEAUFORT,  K.G.,  and  A.  E.  T.  WATSON. 

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ii 


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Gilkes. — KALLISTRATUS  :  an  Auto- 
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Second  Punic  War.  By  A.  H.  GILKES,  M.A., 
Master  of  Dulwich  College.  With  3  Illus- 
trations by  MAURICE  GREIFFENHAGEN. 
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Graham. — THE     RED     SCAUR:     A 

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Gurdon. — MEMORIES  AND  FANCIES  : 

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SHE.    With  32  Illustrations.    Crown 

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CLEOPATAA.  With  29  Illustrations. 
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22        MESSRS.  LONGMANS  &  CO.'S  STANDARD  AND  GENERAL  WORKS. 


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Harte. — IN  THE  CARQUINEZ  WOODS 
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OSRA.  By  ANTHONY  HOPE.  With  9  Illus- 
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Hornung.  —  THE  UNBIDDEN  GUEST. 
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Jerome. — SKETCHES  IN  LAVENDER: 
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Author  of  '  Three  Men  in  a  Boat,'  etc. 
Crown  8vo.,  6s. 

Joyce. — OLD      CELTIC      ROMANCES. 

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Irish  Romantic  Tales.  Translated  from  the 
Gaelic.  By  P.  W.  JOYCE,  LL.D.  Crown 
8vo.,  35.  6d. 

Lang. — A  MONK  OF  FIFE  ;  a  Story 
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LANG.  With  13  Illustrations  by  SELWYN 
IMAGE.  Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

Levett- Yeats  (S.). 
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A   GALAHAD  OF  THE   CREEKS,  and 

other  Stories.     Crown  Svo.,  6s. 

Lyall  (EDNA). 

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CALLISTA  :    A   Tale    of   the   Third 

Century.  Crown  Svo.  Cabinet  Edition, 
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Oliphant. — OLD  MR.  TREDGOLD. 
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Phillipps-Wolley.— SNAP:  a  Legend 
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WOLLEY.  With  13  Illustrations.  Crown 
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Quintana. — THE  Cw   CAMPEADOR  : 

an  Historical  Romance.  By  D.  ANTONIO 
DE  TRUEBA  Y  LA  QUINTANA.  Translated 
from  the  Spanish  by  HENRY  J.  GILL,  M.A., 
T.C.D.  Crown  8vo.,  6s. 


MESSRS.   LONGMANS  &  CO.'S  STANDARD  AND  GENERAL  WORKS. 


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Rhoscomyl  (OWEN). 
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FOR  THE   WHITE    ROSE   OF  ARNO: 

a   Story  of  the  Jacobite  Rising  of  1745. 
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Sewell  (ELIZABETH  M.). 

A  Glimpse  of  the  World 
Laneton  Parsonage. 
Margaret  Percival. 
Katharine  Ashton. 
The  Earl's  Daughter. 
The  Experience  of  Life. 
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Amy  Herbert 
Cleve  Hall. 
Gertrude. 
Home  Life. 
After  Life. 
Ursula.     Ivors. 


Stevenson  (ROBERT  Louis). 

THE  STRANGE  CASE  OF  DR.  JEKYLL 
AND  MR.  HYDE.  Fcp.  Svo.,  is.  sewed, 
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MORE  NEW  ARABIAN  NIGHTS — THE 
DYNAMITER.  By  ROBERT  Louis  STEVEN- 
SON and  FANNY  VAN  DE  GRIFT  STEVEN- 
SON. Crown  Svo.,  35.  6d. 

THE  WRONG  Box.  By  ROBERT 
Louis  STEVENSON  and  LLOYD  OSBOURNE. 
Crown  Svo.,  35.  6d. 

Suttner. — LAY  DOWN    YOUR   ARMS 

(Die  Waff  en  Niedcr) :  The  Autobiography 
of  Martha  von  Tilling.  By  BERTHA  VON 
SUTTNER.  Translated  by  T.  HOLMES. 
Cr.  Svo.,  is.  6d. 

Taylor.  --  EARL i •  ITALIAN  LOVE- 
STORIES.  Edited  and  Retold  by  UNA 
TAYLOR.  With  12  Illustrations  by  H.  J. 
FORD. 

Trollope  (ANTHONY). 

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BARCHESTER    TOWERS.      Cr.    8vo., 

is.  6d. 

Walford  (L.  B.). 
LEDDY  MARGET.     Crown  Svo.,  65. 

KILDARE  :  a  Matrimonial  Pro- 
blem.    Crown  Svo.,  6s. 


Walford  (L.  B.) — continued. 

MR.    SMITH  :    a    Part    of   his    Life. 
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COUSINS.     Crown  Svo.,  2s.  6d. 
TROUBLESOME    DAUGHTERS.        Cr 

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PAULINE.     Crown  Svo.,  2s.  6d. 
DICK  NETHERBY.     Cr.  Svo.,  25.  6d. 
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2s.  6d. 

'  PLOUGHED,'     and     other     Stones. 

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THE  MA  TCHMAKER.    Cr.  Svo.,  25.  6d. 
Watson. — RACING  AND 'CHASING:  a 

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Magazine  '.  With  16  Plates  and  36  Illustra- 
tions in  the  Text.  Crown  Svo.,  js.  6d. 

Weyman  (STANLEY). 

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A   GENTLEMAN  OF  FRANCE.     With 

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SHREWSBURY.  With  24  Illustra- 
tions by  CLAUDE  A.  SHEPPERSON.  Cr. 
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Whishaw  (FRED.). 

A  BOYAR  OF  THE  TERRIBLE:  a 
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First  Tzar  of  Russia.  With  12  Illustra- 
tions by  H.  G.  MASSEY,  A.R.E.  Crown 
8vo.,  6s. 

A  TSARS  GRATITUDE:  A  Story  of 

Modern  Russia.     Crown  Svo.,  6s. 

Woods. —  WEEPING  FERRY,  and  other 
Stories.  By  MARGARET  L.  WOODS,  Author 
of  '  A  Village  Tragedy  '.  Crown  8vo.,  6s. 


24         MESSRS.  LONGMANS  &  CO.'S  STANDARD  AND  GENERAL  WORKS. 


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Butler. — OUR  HOUSEHOLD  INSECTS. 
An  Account  of  the  Insect-Pests  found  in 
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B.A.,  B.Sc.  (Lond.).  With  113  Illustra- 
tions. Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 


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Illustrations  in  the  Text.  Crown  8vo., 
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BUTTERFLIES  AND  MOTHS  (British). 
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trations in  the  Text.  Crown  8vo.,  75.  6d. 

LIFE  IN  PONDS  AND  STREAMS. 
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tions in  the  Text.  Crown  8vo.,  75.  fid. 


Hartwig  (DR.  GEORGE). 

THE  SEA  AND  ITS  LIVING  WONDERS. 
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WONDERS  OF  THE  TROPICAL  FORESTS. 
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WORKERS  UNDER  THE  GROUND.^  \\.\\ 

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SEA  MONSTERS  AND  SEA  BIRDS. 
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DENIZENS  OF  THE  DEEP.  With  1 17 
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Hartwig  (DR.  GEORGE) — continued. 

VOLCANOES      AND     EARTHQUAKES. 

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WILD   ANIMALS   OF   THE    TROPICS. 
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Helmholtz. — POPULAR  LECTURES  ON 
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Hudson  (W.  H.). 

BRITISH  BIRDS.  With  a  Chapter 
on  Structure  and  Classification  by  FRANK 
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LIGHT  SCIENCE  FOR  LEISURE  HOURS. 
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Ro UGH  WA  YS  MADE  SMOOTH.  Fami- 
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PLEASANT  WA  vs  IN  SCIENCE.   Crown 

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*^*  For  Mr.  Proctor's  other  books  sec  pp.  13, 
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Stanley. — A  FAMILIAR  HISTORY  OF 
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Popular    Science    (Natural  History,  &e.) — continued. 


Wood  (REV.  J.  G.). 

HOMES  WITHOUT  HANDS:  A  Descrip- 
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according  to  the  Principle  of  Construc- 
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INSECTS  ABROAD:  a  Popular  Account 
of  Foreign  Insects,  their  Structure,  Habits 
and  Transformations.  With  600  Illustra- 
tions. 8vo.,  ys.  net. 

BIBLE  ANIMALS  :  a  Description  of 

every  Living  Creature  mentioned  in  the 
Scriptures.  With  112  Illustrations.  8vo., 
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PETLAND  REVISITED.  With  33 
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OUT    OF    DOORS;    a    Selection    of 

Original  Articles  on  Practical  Natural 
History.  With  n  Illustrations.  Cr.  8vo., 
35.  6d. 


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STRANGE  DWELLINGS:  a  Description 
of  the  Habitations  of  Animals,  abridged 
from  '  Homes  without  Hands'.  With  60 
Illustrations.  Cr.  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

BIRD  LIFE  OF  THE  BIBLE.    With  32 

Illustrations.     Cr.  8vo. ,  35.  6d. 

WONDERFUL  NESTS.  With  30  Illus- 
trations. Cr.  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

HOMES  UNDER  THE  GROUND.    With 

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WILD  ANIMALS  OF  THE  BIBLE.  With 

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DOMESTIC  ANIMALS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

With  23  Illustrations.     Cr.  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

THE  BRANCH  BUILDERS.  With  28 
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SOCIAL  HABITA  TIONS  AND  PARASITIC 
NESTS.  With  18  Illustrations.  Crown 
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Works  of  Reference. 


Gwilt. — AN  ENCYCLOPAEDIA  OF  AR- 
CHITECTURE. By  JOSEPH  GWILT,  F.S.A. 
Illustrated  with  more  than  noo  Engrav- 
ings on  Wood.  Revised  (1888),  with  Al- 
terations and  Considerable  Additions  by 
WYATT  PAPWORTH.  Svo,  £2  125.  6d. 

Longmans'  GAZETTEER  OF  THE 
WORLD.  Edited  by  GEORGE  G.  CHIS- 
HOLM,  M.A.,  B.Sc.  Imp.  Svo.,  £2  2s.  cloth, 
£2  I2S.  6d.  half-morocco. 

Maunder  (Samuel). 

BIOGRAPHICAL     TREASURY.      With 

Supplement  brought  down  to  1889.     By 
Rev.  JAMES  WOOD.     Fcp.  8vo.,  6s. 

TREASURY  OF  GEOGRAPHY,  Physical, 
Historical,  Descriptive,  and  Political. 
With  7  Maps  and  16  Plates.  Fcp.  8vo.,  6s. 

THE  TREASURY  OF  BIBLE  KNOW- 
LEDGE. By  the  Rev.  J.  AYRE,  M.A.  With 
5  Maps,  15  Plates,  and  300  Woodcuts. 
Fcp.  8vo.,  6s. 

TREASURY  OF  KNOWLEDGE  AND  LIB- 
RARY OF  REFERENCE.  Fcp.  8vo.,  6s. 

HISTORICAL  TREASURY.  Fcp.8vo.,6s. 


Maunder  (Samuel) — continued. 

SCIENTIFIC  AND  LITERARY  TREA- 
SURY. Fcp.  Svo.,  6s. 

THE  TREASURY  OF  BOTANY.  Edited 
by  J.  LINDLEY,  F.R.S.,  and  T.  MOORE, 
F.L.S.  With  274  Woodcuts  and  20  Steel 
Plates.  2  vols.  Fcp.  8vo.,  125. 


Roget.  --  THESAURUS  OF  ENGLISH 
WORDS  AND  PHRASES.  Classified  and  Ar- 
ranged so  as  to  Facilitate  the  Expression  of 
Ideas  and  assist  in  Literary  Composition. 
By  PETER  MARK  ROGET,  M.D.,  F.R.S. 
Recomposed  throughout,  enlarged  and  im- 
proved, partly  from  the  Author's  Notes,  and 
with  a  full  Index,  by  the  Author's  Son, 
JOHN  LEWIS  ROGET.  Crown  8vo.,  IDS.  f>d. 


W\\\ich.~PoPULAR  TABLES  forgiving 
information  for  ascertaining  the  value  of 
Lifehold,  Leasehold,  and  Church  Property, 
the  Public  Funds,  etc.  By  CHARLES  M. 
WILLICH.  Edited  by  H.  BENCE  JONES. 
Crown  8vo.,  xos.  6d. 


26 


MESSRS.  LONGMANS  &  CO.'S  STANDARD  AND  GENERAL  WORKS. 


Children 

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EDWY   THE   FAIR;    or,    The    First 

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28 


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WORKS,  p.  32. 

AUTUMN  HOLIDAYS  OF  A  COUNTRY 
PARSON.  Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

COMMONPLACE  PHILOSOPHER.  Cr. 
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CRITICAL  ESSAYS  OF  A  COUNTRY 
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EAST  COAST  DAYS  AND  MEMORIES. 
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LANDSCAPES.  CHURCHES,  AND  MORA- 
LITIES. Crown  Svo.,  35.  6d. 

LEISURE  HOURS  IN  TOWN.     Crown 

8vo.,  35.  6d. 

LESSONS  OF  MIDDLE  AGE.  Crown 
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OUR  LITTLE  LIFE.  Two  Series. 
Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d.  each. 

OUR  HOMELY  COMEDY:  AND  TRA- 
GEDY. Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

.RECREATIONS  OF  A  COUNTRY  PARSON. 
Three  Series.  Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d.  each. 


Brookings  and  Ringwalt. — BRIEFS 
AND  DEBATE  ON  CURRENT,  POLITICAL, 
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Harvard  Law  School,  and  RALPH  CURTIS 
RINGWALT,  A.B.  Assistant  in  Rhetoric  in 
Columbia  University,  New  York.  With  an 
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ALBERT  BUSHNELL  HART,  Ph.D.  of  Har- 
vard University.  With  full  Index.  Crown 
8vo.,  6s. 

Butler  (SAMUEL). 
EREWHON.     Crown  8vo.,  55. 

THE  FAIR  HAVEN.  A  Work  in  De- 
fence of  the  Miraculous  Element  in  our 
Lord's  Ministry.  Cr.  Svo.,  ys.  6d. 

LIFE  AND  HABIT.  An  Essay  after  a 
Completer  View  of  Evolution.  Cr.  Svo., 
ys.  6d. 

EVOLUTION,  OLD  AND  NEW.  Cr. 
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ALPS  AND  SANCTUARIES  OF  PIED- 
MONT AND  CANTON  TICINO.  Illustrated. 
Pott  410.,  IDS.  6d. 

LUCK,  OR  CUNNING,  AS  THE  MAIN 
MEANS  OF  ORGANIC  MODIFICATION? 
Cr.  8vo.,  ys.  6d. 

Ex  VOTO.  An  Account  of  the  Sacro 
Monte  or  New  Jerusalem  at  Varallo-Sesia. 
Crown  8vo.,  IDS.  6d. 

SELECTIONS  FROM  WORKS,  with  Re- 
marks on  Mr.  G.  J.  Romanes'  '  Mental 
Evolution  in  Animals,'  and  a  Psalm  of 
Montreal.  Crown  Svo.,  ys.  6d. 

THE  AUTHORESS  OF  THE  ODYSSEY, 
WHERE  AND  WHEN  SHE  WROTE,  WHO 
SHE  WAS,  THE  USE  SHE  MADE  OF  THE 
ILIAD,  AND  HOW  7 HE  POEM  GREW  UNDEP 
HER  HANDS.  With  14  Illustrations. 
8vo.,  IQS.  6d. 


30        MESSRS.   LONGMANS  &  CO.'S  STANDARD  AND  GENERAL  WORKS. 


Miscellaneous  and   Critical   Works — continued. 


CHARITIES  REGISTER,  THE  ANNUAL, 
AND  DIGEST:  being  a  Classified  Register 
of  Charities  in  or  available  in  the  Metro- 
polis, together  with  a  Digest  of  Information 
respecting  the  Legal,  Voluntary,  and  other 
Means  for  the  Prevention  and  Relief  of 
Distress,  and  the  Improvement  of  the  Con- 
dition of  the  Poor,  and  an  Elaborate  Index. 
With  an  Introduction  by  C.  S.  LOCH,  Sec- 
retary to  the  Council  of  the  Charity  Organi- 
sation Society,  London.  Svo.,  45. 


AND       WORDS. 
3   vols.       Crown 


Dowell. — THOUGHTS 
By  STEPHEN  DOWELL. 
8vo.,  315.  6ii. 

***  This  is  a  selection  of  passages  in  prose  and  verse 
from  authors,  ancient  and  modern,  arranged  according 
to  the  subject. 

Dreyfus. — LECTURES  ON  FRENCH 
LITERATURE.  Delivered  in  Melbourne  by 
IRMA  DREYFUS.  With  Portrait  of  the 
Author.  Large  crown  8vo.,  125.  6d. 

Evans. —  THE  ANCIENT  STONE  IM- 
PLEMENTS, WEAPONS  AND  ORNAMENTS  OF 
GREAT  BRITAIN.  By  Sir  JOHN  EVANS, 
K.C.B.,  D.C.L.,  LL.D.,  F.R.S.,  etc. 
With  537  Illustrations.  Medium  8vo.,  285. 

Hamlin. — A  TEXT-BOOK  OF  THE 
HISTORY  OF  ARCHITECTURE.  By  A.  D.  F. 
HAMLIN,  A.M.  With  229  Illustrations. 
Crown  8vo.,  75.  6d. 

Haweis. — Music  AND  MORALS.  By 
the  Rev.  H.  R.  HAWEIS.  With  Portrait  of 
the  Author,  and  numerous  Illustrations, 
Facsimiles,  and  Diagrams.  Cr.  Svo.,  75.  6d. 

Hime. — STKAT    MILITARY    PAPERS. 

By    Lieut.-Colonel    H.  W.    L.    HIME  (late 

Royal  Artillery).     Svo,  75.  6d. 

CONTENTS. —  Infantry  Fire  Formations  —  On 
Marking  at  Rifle  Matches — The  Progress  of  Field 
Artillery — The  Reconnoitering  Duties  of  Cavalry. 

Hullah. — -THE  HISTORY  OF  MODERN 
Music;  a  Course  of  Lectures.  By  JOHN 
HULLAH,  LL.D.  8vo.,  85.  6d. 

Jefferies  (RICHARD). 

FIELD  AND  HEDGEROW:  With  Por- 
trait. Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

THE  STORY  OF  MY  HEART:  my 
Autobiography.  With  Portrait  and  New 
Preface  by  C.  J.  LONGMAN.  Cr.  8vo.,  35. 6d. 

RED  DEER.  With  17  Illustrations 
by  J.  CHARLTON  and  H.  TUNALY.  Crown 
8vo.,  35.  6d. 

THE  TOILERS  OF  THE  FIELD.    With 

Portrait    from     the     Bust     in    Salisbury 
Cathedral.     Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 


Jefferies  (RICHARD) — continued. 
WOOD  MAGIC  :  a  Fable.    With  Fron- 
tispiece and  Vignette  by  E.  V.  B.    Crown 
8vo.,  35.  6d. 

THOUGHTS  FROM  THE  WRITINGS  OF 
RICHARD  JEFFERIES.  Selected  by  H.  S. 
HOOLE  WAYLEN.  i6mo.,  35.  6d. 

Johnson. — THE  PATENTEE'S  MAN- 
UAL :  a  Treatise  on  the  Law  and  Practice 
of  Letters  Patent.  ByJ.  &  J.  H.  JOHNSON, 
Patent  Agents,  etc.  8vo.,  IDS.  6d. 

Joyce. —  THE  ORIGIN  AND  HISTORY 
OF  IRISH  NAMES  OF  PLACES.  By  P.  W. 
JOICE,  LL.D.  2  vols.  Crown  Svo. ,  55.  each. 

Lang  (ANDREW). 
THE  MAKING  OF  RELIGION.     Svo. 
MODERN  MYTHOLOGY  :    a  Reply  to 

Professor  Max  Miiller.     Svo.,  gs. 

LETTERS  TO  DEAD  AUTHORS.     Fcp. 

8vo.,    25.    6d.  net. 

BOOKS   AND   BOOKMEN.       With    2 

Coloured     Plates    and    17    Illustrations. 

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OLD  FRIENDS.   Fcp.  8vo.,  25.  6d.  net. 
LETTERS    ON    LITERATURE.       Fcp. 

8vo.,  25.  6d.  net. 

ESSAYS  IN  LITTLE.      With  Portrait 

of  the  Author.     Crown  8vo.,  25.  6rf. 

COCK    LANE    AND    COMMON-SENSE. 

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THE  BOOK  OF  DREAMS  AND  GHOSTS. 
Crown  Svo.,  65. 

Macfarren.  -  -  LECTURES  ON  HAR- 
MONY. By  Sir  GEORGE  A.  MACFARREN. 
8vo.,  1 2s. 

Madden. — THE  DIARY  OF  MASTER 

WILLIAM  SILENCE  :  a  Study  of  Shake- 
speare and  Elizabethan  Sport.  By  the 
Right  Hon.  D.  H.  MADDEN,  Vice-Chancellor 
of  the  University  of  Dublin.  Svo.,  i6s. 

Max  Muller  (The  Right  Hon.  F.). 

INDIA:    WHAT  CAN  IT  TEACH   Us? 

Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

CHIPS  FROM  A  GERMAN  WORKSHOP. 

Vol.  I.  Recent  Essays  and  Addresses. 
Crown  8vo.,  55. 

Vol.  II.  Biographical  Essays.  Crown 
8vo.,  55. 

Vol.  III.  Essays  on  Language  and  Litera- 
ture. Crown  8vo.,  55. 

Vol.  IV.  Essays  on  Mythology  and  Folk 
Lore.  Crown  Svo.,  55. 

CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  SCIENCE  OF 
MYTHOLOGY.  2  vols.  Svo.,  325. 


MESSRS.  LONGMANS  &  CO.'S  STANDARD  AND  GENERAL  WORKS.         31 


Miscellaneous   and   Critical   Works — continued. 


Milner.  —  COUNTRY  PLEASURES:  the 

Chronicle  of  a  Year  chiefly  in  a  Garden. 
By  GEORGE  MILNER.  Crown  8vo.,  35.  bd. 

Morris  (WILLIAM). 
SIGNS  OF  CHANGE.     Seven  Lectures 

delivered  on  various  Occasions.  Post 
8vo.,  45.  6d. 

HOPES  AND  FEARS  FOR  ART.     Five 

Lectures  delivered  in  Birmingham,  Lon- 
don, etc.,  in  1878-1881.  Crown  8vo., 
45.  6d. 

AN  ADDRESS  DELIVERED  AT  THE 
DISTRIBUTION  OF  PRIZES  TO  STUDENTS 
OF  THE  BIRMINGHAM  MUNICIPAL  SCHOOL 
OF  ART  ON  ZIST  FEBRUARY,  1894.  8vo., 
25.  6</.  net. 

Orchard. — THE  ASTRONOMY  OF 
'  MILTON'S  PARADISE  LOST  '.  By  THOMAS 
N.  ORCHARD,  M.D.,  Member  of  the  British 
Astronomical  Association.  With  13  Illus- 
trations. 8vo.,  6s.  net. 

Poore      (GEORGE      VIVIAN),      M.D., 

F.R.C.P. 

ESSAYS  ON  RURAL  HYGIENE.    With 

13  Illustrations.     Crown  8vo.,  6s.  6d. 

THE  DWELLING  HOUSE.     With  36 

Illustrations.     Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

Proctor. — STRENGTH  :    How  to  get 

Strong  and  keep  Strong,  with  Chapters  on 
Rowing  and  Swimming,  Fat,  Age,  and  the 
Waist.  By  R.  A.  PROCTOR.  With  9  Illus- 
trations. Crown  8vo.,  as. 

Richmond. — BOYHOOD  :    a  Plea  for 

Continuity  in  Education.  By  ENNIS  RICH- 
MOND. Crown  8vo.,  2s.  6d. 

Rossetti. — A    SHADOW  OF  DANTE: 

being  an  Essay  towards  studying  Himself, 
his  World  and  his  Pilgrimage.  By  MARIA 
FRANCESCA  ROSSETTI.  With  Frontispiece 
by  DANTE  GABRIEL  ROSSETTI.  Crown 
8vo.,  35.  6d. 


Solovyoff. — A  MODERN  PRIESTESS 
OF  /sis  (MADAME  BLAVATSKY].  Abridged 
and  Translated  on  Behalf  of  the  Society  for 
Psychical  Research  from  the  Russian  of 
VSEVOLOD  SERGYEEVICH  SOLOVYOFF.  By 
WALTER  LEAF,  Litt.  D.  With  Appendices. 
Crown  8vo.,  6s. 

Soulsby  (Lucv  H.  M.). 
STRAY     THOUGHTS     ON    READING. 

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Srx.-i  ] '  THOUGHTS  FOR  GIRLS.   1 6mo., 

is.  6d.  net. 

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Southey. — THE  CORRESPONDENCE  OF 
ROBERI  SOUTHEY  WITH  CAROLINE  BOWLES. 
Edited,  with  an  Introduction,  by  EDWARD 
DOWDEN,  LL.D.  8vo.,  145. 

Stevens. — ON  THE  STOWAGE  OF  SHIPS 

AND  THEIR  CARGOES.  With  Information  re- 
garding Freights,  Charter-Parties,  etc.  By 
ROBERT  WHITE  STEVENS,  Associate-Mem- 
ber of  the  Institute  of  Naval  Architects. 
8vo.,  2is. 

Turner  and  Sutherland. — THE  DE- 
VELOPMENT OF  AUSTRALIAN  LITERATURE. 
By  HENRY  GYLES  TURNER  and  ALEXANDER 
SUTHERLAND.  With  Portraits  and  Illustra- 
tions. Crown  Svo. ,  5s. 

Warwick. — PROGRESS  IN  WOMEN'S 
EDUCA  TIONIN  THE  BRITISH  EMPIRE  :  being 
the  Report  of  Conferences  and  a  Congress 
held  in  connection  with  the  Educational 
Section,  Victorian  Era  Exhibition.  Edited 
by  the  COUNTESS  OF  WARWICK.  Crown 
8vo.,  6s. 

White. — AN  EXAMINATION  OF  THE 
CHARGE  OF  APOSTACY  AGAINST  WORDS- 
WORTH. By  W.  HALE  WHITE,  Editor  of 
the  '  Description  of  the  Wordsworth  and 
Coleridge  MSS.  in  the  Possession  of  Mr. 
T.  Norton  Longman  ' . 


Miscellaneous  Theological  Works, 

\"  For  Church  of  England  and  Roman  Catholic   Works  see  MESSRS.   LONGMANS  &  Co.'s 

Special  Catalogues. 

Balfour.  -    -  THE    FOUNDATIONS    OF    Bird  (ROBERT) — continned. 

BELIEF  ;  being  Notes  Introductory  to  the 
Study  of  Theology.  By  the  Right  Hon. 
ARTHUR  J.  BALFOUR,  M.P.  8vo.,  ias.  6d. 


Bird  (ROBERT). 
A    CHILD'S  RELIGION.     Cr.  8vo.,  as. 

JOSEPH,     THE    DREAMER.      Crown 
8vo.,  5s. 


JESUS,        THE        CARPENTER 
NAZARETH.      Crown  Svo.,   55. 


OF 


To  be  had  also  in  Two  Parts,  price  2s.  6d. 
each. 

Part    I.     GALILEE    AND    THE    LAKE    OF 
GENNESARET. 

Part    II.   JERUSALEM    AND   THE   PER^EA. 


32         MESSRS.  LONGMANS  &  CO.'S  STANDARD  AND  GENERAL  WORKS. 


Miscellaneous  Theological  Works — continued. 


Boyd  (A.  K.  H.)     (<  A.K.H.B.'). 

OCCA  SIGN  A  L  A  NDlMMEMOR  I A  L  DA  1  'S  : 
Discourses.  Crown  Svo.,  js.  6d. 

COUNSEL  AND  COMFORT  FROM  A 
CITY  PULPIT.  Crown  Svo.,  35.  6d. 

SUNDA  Y  AFTERNOONS  IN  THE  PARISH 
CHURCH  OF  A  SCOTTISH  UNIVERSITY 
CITY.  Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

CHANGED  ASPECTS  OF  UNCHANGED 
TRUTHS.  Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

GRAVER  THOUGHTS  OF  A  COUNTRY 
PARSON.  Three  Series.  Crown  Svo. , 
35.  6d.  each. 

PRESENT  DAY  THOUGHTS.  Crown 
8vo.,  35.  6d. 

SEASIDE  MUSINGS.     Cr.  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

'  To  MEET  THE  DAY'  through  the 
Christian  Year :  being  a  Text  of  Scripture, 
with  an  Original  Meditation  and  a  Short 
Selection  in  Verse  for  Every  Day.  Crown 
8vo.,  45.  6d. 

Davidson. — THEISM,  as  Grounded  in 
Human  Nature,  Historically  and  Critically 
Handled.  Being  the  Burnett  Lectures 
for  1892  and  1893,  delivered  at  Aberdeen. 
By  WILLIAM  L.  DAVIDSON,  M.A.,  LL.D. 
8vo.,  155. 

Gibson. —  THE  ABBE  DE  LAMENNAIS. 
AND  THE  LIBERAL  CATHOLIC  MOVEMENT 
IN  FRANCE.  By  the  Hon.  W.  GIBSON. 
With  Portrait.  Svo.,  i2s.  6d. 

Kalisch(M.  M.,  Ph.D.). 

BIBLE  STUDIES.  Part  I.  Pro- 
phecies of  Balaam.  8vo.,  xos.  6rf.  Part 
II.  The  Book  of  Jonah.  8vo.,  IDS.  6d. 

COMMENTARY  ON  THE  OLD  TESTA- 
MENT: with  a  New  Translation.  Vol.  I. 
Genesis.  8vo.,  iSs.  Or  adapted  for  the 
General  Reader.  125.  Vol.  II.  Exodus. 
155.  Or  adapted  for  the  General  Reader. 
i2s.  Vol.  III.  Leviticus,  Part  I.  155. 
Or  adapted  for  the  General  Reader.  8s. 
Vol.  IV.  Leviticus,  Part  II.  155.  Or 
adapted  for  the  General  Reader.  8s. 

Lang. — THE  MAKING  OF  RELIGION. 
By  ANDREW  LANG.  8vo.,  125. 

MacDonald  (GEORGE). 

UNSPOKEN  SERMONS.  Three  Series. 
Crown  8vo.,  3s.  6d.  each. 

THE    MIRACLES    OF    OUR     LORD. 
Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 
10,000/6/98. 


Martineau  (JAMES). 

HOURS  OF  THOUGHT  ON  SACRED 
THINGS  :  Sermons,  2  vols.  Crown  8vo., 
3S.  6d.  each. 

ENDEAVOURS  AFTER  THE  CHRISTIAN 
LIFE.  Discourses.  Crown  Svo.,  js.  6rf. 

THE  SEAT  OF  AUTHORITY  IN  RE- 
LIGION. 8vo.,  145. 

ESSAYS,  REVIEWS,  AND  ADDRESSES. 
4  Vols.  Crown  Svo.,  js.  6d.  each. 

I.  Personal;  Political.  II.  Ecclesiastical;  Historical. 
III.  Theological;  Philosophical.  IV.  Academical; 
Religious. 

HOME  PRAYERS,  with  Two  SERVICES 

for  Public  Worship.     Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

Max  Muller  (F.). 

THE  ORIGIN  AND  GROWTH  OF  RELI- 
GION, as  illustrated  by  the  Religions  of 
India.  The  Hibbert  Lectures,  delivered 
at  the  Chapter  House,  Westminster 
Abbey,  in  1878.  Crown  8vo.,  75.  6d. 

INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  SCIENCE  OF 
RELIGION  :  Four  Lectures  delivered  at  the 
Royal  Institution.  Crown  8vo.,  35.  6d. 

NATURAL  RELIGION.  The  GifFord 
Lectures,  delivered  before  the  University 
of  Glasgow  in  1888.  Crown  Svo.,  55. 

PHYSICAL  RELIGION.      The  Gifford 

Lectures,  delivered  before  the  University 
of  Glasgow  in  1890.     Crown  8vo.,  55. 

ANTHROPOLOGICAL  RELIGION.  The 
Gifford  Lectures,  delivered  before  the  Uni- 
versity of  Glasgow  in  1891.  Cr.  Svo.,  55. 

THEOSOPHY,  OR  PSYCHOLOGICAL  RE- 
LIGION. The  Gifford  Lectures,  delivered 
before  the  University  of  Glasgow  in  1892. 
Crown  8vo.,  55. 

THREE  LECTURES  ON  THE  VEDANTA 
PHILOSOPHY,  delivered  •  at  the  Royal 
Institution  in  March,  1894.  8vo.,  55. 

Romanes. — THOUGHTS  ON  RELIGION. 
By  GEORGE  J.  ROMANES,  LL.D.,  F.R.S. 
Crown  8vo.,  45.  6d. 

Vivekananda.—  YOGA  PHILOSOPHY: 

Lectures  delivered  in  New  York,  Winter  of 
1895-96,  by  the  SWAMI  VIVEKANANDA, 
on  Raja  Yoga  ;  or,  Conquering  the  Internal 
Nature ;  also  Patanjali's  Yoga  Aphorisms, 
with  Commentaries.  Crown  Svo,  3$.  6rf. 


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