252 



COLUMBlNiE. 



Fig. 49. 



There is a similar, but smaller, crest-like process, ^, between 

 the coracoid bones. These latter, /^, ^, are rather stout, but 



spread little. The furcula, e, 

 is very slender, narrow, in the 

 form of the letter U, and wants 

 the flattened triangular process 

 seen at the point of union of its 

 crura in the Gallinaceous birds. 

 The scapulae, j, j^ are long, 

 linear, and slightly deflected at 

 the end. The humerus is very 

 short and strong, its crests very 

 large ; the cubitus a fourth 

 longer, the ulna curved out- 

 wards ; there are two distinct carpal bones ; the hand is longer 

 than the cubitus ; the two metacarpal bones are united at the 

 ends, the inner curved and very slender; the first phalanx united, 

 broad, and thin-edged ; the last phalanx long, tapering, with 

 a thin edge ; the pollex trigonal and pointed. The bones of 

 the pelvis are very thin, and the limits of the sacrum are gene- 

 rally perceptible ; the pubic bone is linear and distinct, an 

 elongated narrow space being left betw^een it and the ischium. 

 The obturator foramen is complete, and the sciatic far removed 

 from the margin. The femur is nearly straight, cylindrical, 

 and short ; the tibia rather long, the fibula about a third of its 

 length ; the tarsal bone is flattened transversely. The first toe 

 has a distinct metatarsal bone, and two phalanges, the second 

 toe three, the third four, the fourth five phalanges. 



The Columbinse feed on vegetable substances, some chiefly 

 on soft fruits, others on nuts, seeds of grasses and other plants, 

 some on the herbaceous parts of plants. The process of assi- 

 milation seems to take place in the following manner. The 

 bird gradually fills its crop with seeds or other vegetable sub- 

 stances, which scarcely undergo any change there, it being to 

 appearance merely a receptacle. A portion being introduced 

 into the stomach, where it is mixed with numerous particles 

 of quartz, is there squeezed by the action of the powerful mus- 

 cles, aided by the rough and dense cuticular lining, and mixed 

 with the mucous fluid of the proventricular glands. It is then 



