CARINATjE 



Ardeiformes 



Spoonbill. Platalea leueorodia. Plate XXV. 



The color of the eyeground is decidedly gray, becoming brownish 

 towards the periphery. The entire fundus is covered with minute, 

 irregularly shaped, gray-white dots, that appear more distinct about 

 the macular region. At the fovea, where they are brilliant white, 

 they are still more closely packed. The foveal region appears to be 

 sunken below its surroundings and to be enclosed in a pale, greenish 

 (reflex) ring that is of oval shape, with its long axis horizontal. The 

 optic disc is a long, narrow oval, and presents a brilliant white 

 appearance. Near its upper end are several choroidal vessels of a 

 pale, golden-yellow color. Parallel to the long axis of the nerve- 

 head is another elongated mass of white fibres (almost like a second 

 optic disc) having its centre stippled with fine pigment dots, and 

 extending across the eyeground. Radiating from the margins of 

 the papilla one sees a number of faint, translucent fibres crossing 

 the small white area on the nasal side of the nerve. 



The pecten does not extend very far forward; it is dark gray- 

 brown and appears to be completely covered with a number of warty 

 protuberances. It appears to be attached to the whole length of the 

 centre of the disc, that is stippled with fine red dots. 



Anseriformes 



Black-bellied Thee Duck. Dendrocygna autumnalis. Plate XXVI. 



The eyeground is colored a light fawn besprinkled with minute, 

 white dots, that glisten when a strong light from the mirror is thrown 

 upon them. On each side of the papilla is seen a number of choroidal 

 vessels, bright orange in color and rather straight. The disc is also 

 orange-red along its major axis, this central zone being stippled all 

 over with a network of fine black dots. The circumference of the 

 disc is fringed with white fibres. The dark-brown pecten arises, as 

 usual, from the whole length of the disc. Mewed from above it 

 seems very thin and twisted like a corkscrew. A few opaque nerve 

 fibres extend for a short distance and at right angles to the disc on 

 either side. The upper part of the fundus is almost obscured by 

 numerous minute, brilliant, white dots. 



144 



