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 alw r ays 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 GADOW S 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. 



