E. LÖNNBERG, ON THE RHAMPHOTHECA OF BIRDS. 499 



possibly being dependent on this specialisation. The bilis 

 are not, however, the only features which approach tliese two 

 groups of birds to each other. The feathering of both is 

 similar. Dr. Chalmers Mitchell has also recently proved 1 

 that the general arrangement of the intestinal tract of these 

 birds is of a similar type. Based on his studies of the osteo- 

 logy of these and other birds Dr. Shufeldt expresses a simi- 

 lar view when he says: 2 »Taken as a whole there is hardly 

 any question now I think but that the Herodiones are linked 

 with the Anseres, through the Flataleidce of the present group, 

 and the .Flamingoes, of the group next to be considered. 

 Perhaps Ajaja ajaja is the species among the American 

 Ibidoidea most nearly related to Phoenicopterus ruber.» 



That the rhamphotheca of Lamellirostres is compound of 

 several different pieces is easy to see if, for instance, the 



Fig. 8. The bill of a young Fig. 9. The bill of a young 



Somateria. Fuligida fuligula 



seen from below. 



fresh bill of a goose is examined. The »nail» of the upper 

 jaw corresponds plainly enough to rostrdle, and on either 

 side well defined from the former a distinct labidle is seen. 

 The nasal region is soft, but the culmen is covered by a 

 horny piece corresponding to an internasale which is distinct 

 from the rostrale. Already in young new-hatched birds for 

 instance Somateria or Fuligula (comp. fig.) the limits of 

 these different parts are visible. Especially is then the la- 

 biale defined by a longitudinal groove. In the same way 

 the rhamphotheca of the lower jaw is compound. The »nail» 

 corresponds to mentale and behind the same are seen on 

 either side two plates arranged one above the other. These 

 are of course an infralabial and a submandibular on either 

 side. This may easily be seen as well on the bill of an 

 adult goose as on that of youngs, for instance of Fuligula. 



1 Träns Linn. Soc. London. Vol. VIII. Part. 7. 



2 Osteology of the Herodianes. Ann. Carnegie Museum. Vol. 1. 



