264 



STRUCTURE AND CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS 



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. 



