86 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



out horizontally, while the lower portion is vertical in direction, and scythe- 

 shaped. This form of the bone may be more or less modified. It is not con- 

 fined altogether to these groups. 



Tu Nectriomorphse the sides of the scaphoid fossa are flattened down, and 

 the whole bone is compressed horizontally. It is somewhat tongue-shaped. 



The group Geranomorpha; is not so well defined as the Charadriomorphae 

 and Cecomorphag. It is represented by the Rallidae, by the Psophinaa and 

 Gruinae of the family Ardeidae, and by Otidinae of the Struthionida?. 



The following are the characteristics of the group, as given by Huxley: 



"The rostrum is relatively stronger than in the preceding group (Charadri- 

 omorphae), and may even be short and arched. 



" The basipterygoid processes are absent (ex. Grus antigone). 



"The maxillo-palatines are concavo-convex and lamellar. 



"The angle of the mandible is truncated. 



" In the typical groups the sternum is comparatively narrow and elongated, 

 and may be deeply notched or entire." 



In that portion of the article where he considered the cranial characters 

 alone, he states that the Rails are always devoid of basipterygoid processes. 



I found them to exist only in Ortygomeira porzana* where they are well de- 

 veloped. 



In addition to the sternal characters mentioned, I may state the following : 

 From the situation of the principal pneumatic foramen on the internal sur- 

 face of the sternum there rises a ridge which is produced upward to the ante- 

 rior border, where it becomes forked or branched, and may present either a 

 Y- or T-shaped appearance. In the former case it looks very much like the 

 bifurcated manubrium of the true Passerine birds. It was present in all the 

 representatives of this group examined,! except Fulica and Otis. 



In all of the Rails and in some of the others there is a small process pro- 

 duced upward from the symphysis between the clavicles. This is a character 

 which is constant in the Herons. Its presence in the Rails shows an inclina- 

 tion towards the Ardeime. 



In Alectoromorpha^J or Cock-form, "the rostrum may be slender and de- 

 pressed, or high and arched. Oval, flattened basipterygoid facets, sessile upon 

 the basisphenoidal rostrum and articulating with corresponding surfaces upon 

 the pterygoids, are always present. The maxillo-palatines are always lamel- 

 lar, but vary greatly in size, being sometimes very small. 



" The palatine bones are relatively long and narrow, with obsolete internal 

 laminae and rounded-off postero-external angles. 



" The angle of the mandible is produced into a strong upcurved process." 



In Peristeromorpha?, or Dove-form, " the rostrum is swollen at the tip. 

 " The skull is provided with narrow, but prominent, basipterygoid facets." 

 " The maxillo-palatines are elongated and spongy. 

 " The angle of the mandible is not produced and recurved. 

 "The sternum has two posterior notches, the inner pair of which maybe 

 converted into foramina." 



Mr. Huxley states that "the Pteroclidie in some respects, but not in cranial 

 characters, approaches the Pigeons." 



Pteroclcx arenarius I hold to be as much, if not more, Peristeromorphae as 

 Alectoromorpliae, in cranial as well as sternal characters. 



* The cranium was the only portion of this bird examined. It belonged to the Due de 

 Rivoli collection purchased by Dr. T. B. Wilson. It was labelled by that French natura- 

 list Rallus porzana. 



f Hallux crepitans, J!, aquaticus, R. maximus; Porphyria martinica, P. smaragdinus, P. hya- 

 cinthinus; Gallinula chloropus; Gnu monachus, (!. americana, and Balearic* pavonina. 



J The writer was not aware of the existence of Prof. Huxley's paper on the Alectoro- 

 morphse until this article had passed through proof. 



[July* 



