504 Zoological Proceedhigs of Societies. 



to, or inserted in, bone. In many of the bir (k |pf this ord6rJt resumes 

 the simple form ; and in none of them does it undergo any material alte- 

 ration at its brohchial extremity. The enlargement of the trachea at 

 this part takes place only among the jYatatqres, in the sub-family ^rm^/na, 

 Vig.; it is also here among th^ birds of the subvjamily Anserina^ ^ig.,^ 

 that the maximum of elongation occurs, of which the Anas semipalmata 

 furnishes a remarkable example. Mr. Yarrell adverted to the muscles of 

 voice, and made some observations respecting them. On this occasion his 

 remarks were general, mi he proposed at a future period to return to the 

 detailed consideration of this subject. \ ^ 



A Paper On the Tringa rufescens, Fieill., a species new to the British 

 Islands and to Europe : by William Yarrell, Esq., F.L.S:, &c., was 

 read. The bird was 'exhibited to the meeting, and its pecufiar charac- 

 teristics were pointed out on the specimen by Mr. Yarrell. This is pro- 

 bably the second individual which has yet fallen uiM^er the notice of Or- 

 nithologists, and appears to be unique in this state of its growth. 



June^A, — Mr. Hawkins communicated for ..exhibition a part of the 

 bottom of a vessel i»,which were implanted two. portions of the length- 

 ened upper mandible of a species of Xiphias, Linn. They penetrated 

 through the copper sheathing and were firmly fixed in the solid oak to 

 the depth of several iilMies. One of the portions appeared to be the 

 termination of the mandible, and was broken off obliquely ; the obli- 

 quity of the fracture probably giving to the ext^.eniity ,3^cl^ remained 

 attached to the fish a sufficient degree of sharpness to enable it again to 

 enter the wood to ajiv equal depth with that effected by the first blow. 

 The vessel in which^ was discovered had returned from a voyage to the 

 East Indie§. -> ^;f; 



Mr. Yarrell exhibited a skeleton of the -Trumpeter, Psophia crepitans, 

 Linn., and several other skeleton^^ illustrative of ^^ach of the five divi- 

 sions of both the orders Rasores and GyjAllaiores. 'He dwelt upon the -' 

 value of the characters derived, from the bones generally as furnishing 

 indications for .arrangement, and particularly Mioticed the importance of 

 the sternum arid its appendages as affording support "Ind attachment to 

 the bones of the shoulders, surface forlljie iSfegin of the large and pov/- 

 erful muscles from the exercise of whio^i the greatr and distinguishing 

 character of the class is derived, as well as pra^^tijag and sustaining the- 



