90 



NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS. 



Another group is represented by the genus Prion, very remarkable for its very 

 peculiar and broad bill, which is provided with a fringe of lamellae, somewhat similar 

 to those of the ducks. 



The well-known ' Cape pigeon ' (Daption capense) also shows rudiments of 

 lamellae, but is rather referable to the next group, including the fulmars. The bird 

 represented in the cut is the Fulmarus glacialis, already mentioned in the Introduc- 

 tion for its remarkable dichromatism. To this group also belong the giant fulmar 

 (Ossifraga gigantea), from the southern seas, nearly as large as the smaller albatrosses, 

 and dichromatic, like its northern relative. The last group comprises several genera 



FIG. 38. Fulmarus glacialis, arctic fulmar. 



of shearwaters (which are characterized by a four-notched sternum), including the very 

 remarkable genus JBnhceria, which has a wedge-shaped tail, and the highly specialized 

 muscular formula AX. 



The third and last family of the Tubinares are the PELECANOIDID.E. In their 

 external appearance they present a striking resemblance to several of the smaller auks, 

 being adapted to the same mode of life, and this adaptation has not only affected 

 their external characters, the length of wings, etc., but also some of their anatomical 

 features ; for instance, the compressed form of the wing bones, the elongated sternum, 

 and the very long and obliquely placed ribs, have been modified in the same direction, 

 so as to resemble the corresponding parts of auks and guillemots, though these analo- 

 gies do not indicate any nearer relationship; of course, the opposite view being only 

 founded upon a complete misconception of their whole, structure. Compared with 

 other Tubinares, we note that the end of the nasal tubes, on top of the bill, is cut off 



