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 : 



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). 



