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- 



