16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL. MUSEUM vol.67 



The tongue of the lammergeier Gypmtus harbatus (fig. 36) is 

 very much curled in the anterior third and converted into a scoop 

 or trough-like structure. 



In searching for evidences of affinity one is struck by the close simi- 

 larity of the heavy, rasping, mucous gland bearing, spinose tongues 

 of the owls, which with their multiple rows of spines, resemble the 

 Falconidae. A connecting link to the Buteonidae indeed would 

 seem to be shown through the hawk owl {Surnia ulula, fig. 44). 

 Since other evidence does not support this appearance of relation- 

 ship it is apparent that convergent evolution and similarity of diet 

 have so altered this organ in these divergent types that little de- 

 pendence may be placed on it outside of limited groups. 



The Galliformes, so far as has been determined, all have fleshy 

 tongues, varying with the length of the bill, usually somewhat 

 grooved and provided with a single row of rather prominent pos- 

 terior spines. 



The hoatzin Opisthocomus cristatus (fig. 45) has a triangular- 

 shaped flat tongue the surface of which is set with small spinules. 



Order GRUIFORMES 



The Rallidae have simple fleshy tongues varying in length with 

 the length of the bill. They are 'upcurled along the edges to form 

 long, slender, guttered or grooved organs that are usually frayed at 

 the tip and provided posteriorly with short and rather inconspicuous 

 spines. They are long and slender in Pardirallus r. rytirhynchos^ 

 Rallus levipes (fig. 47), Neocrex erythrops^ and Hypotaenidia waken- 

 sis, while in the coots {Fulica americana, fig. 53) and gallinules 

 {Gallinula galeata^ fig. 30, and lonomis Tnartinica, fig. 59) they are 

 shorter and broad, and the same holds true for Porzana Carolina. 

 The Weka rail Ocydromus earli has a rather large and heavy one 

 which anteriorly is trough shaped, the edges and tip of which are 

 split to form stiff forwardly directed fimbriations. 



Aramidae: Aramus vociferus (fig. 49) has a long slender tongue 

 considerably split at the tip. 



Psophiidae: Psophia leucoptera has rather prominent posterior 

 spines. The tip is characteristically frayed and the general appear- 

 ance not at all unlike that seen in rails. 



Otididae : Otis tarda has a flat tongue that is heavily armed with 

 powerful spines along the posterior edge and the lateral borders 

 for two-thirds of the distance between base and tip. This is rather 

 suggestive of the tearing organ seen in the geese. 



Rhinochetidae : RMnochetus jubatus has a long, slender tongue 

 with weak posterior spines, very slightly grooved and ending in a 

 cornified tip that is somewhat frayed. 



Eurypygidae: Eurypyga helias (fig. 52). 



