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. 



