Prof. Reinhardt^s Remarks on the Genus Balseuiceps. 163 



on the under surface, which in all the forms belonging to the 

 Storks extend in front nearly to the keel of the breast-bone, 

 and thus have only a very insignificant row of feathers between 

 them. In Cancroma and the rest of the Herons, on the con- 

 trary, they each consist only of some few rows of feathers ; and 

 accordingly are separated in front by a very broad space about 

 the region of the furcula, where are found two oval powder-down 

 patches. Balceniceps in this respect entirely approaches Scopus and 

 the other Storks j its breast is throughout its whole extent covered 

 with feathers, and Mr. A. Bartlett has quite recently shown that 

 in this region no powder-down patches are found*. These, as is 

 known, are in the Herons not confined to the breast, but are also 

 found on the loins, and most frequently on the groin, while none 

 have hitherto been found in the Storks. Now, how far Balceni- 

 ceps, in addition to the powder-down patches on the breast, also 

 wants others must remain for more complete investigation. Mr. 

 Bartlett, in his notice, says nothing about it. The affinity which 

 the author believes to exist between Balceniceps and the Storks 

 unquestionably bespeaks their absence : but at the same time it 

 must not be overlooked that these powder-down patches are not 

 exclusively characteristic of the Herons ; for they are not only 

 found on the loins of the genus Eurypijga (the separation of 

 which from the Herons many perhaps will complain of, though 

 with them their presence cannot in consequence be of signifi- 

 cance), but even in birds of quite different orders, for instance, 

 in some of the Birds of prey. 



Should it be asked which of the two often-named birds the 

 whole appearance and outward character of Balceniceps most 

 calls to mind, one must again answer, Scopus. Its extraordina- 

 rily large head, and the comparatively short but very thick and 

 ponderous neck thereby necessitated, not only in themselves 

 remind us more of Scopus than of Cancroma, but the colossal 

 proportions of these members would be a complete anomaly in 

 a Heron, while it scarcely needs to be remarked that there are 

 Storks which in size of head and thickness of neck are hardly 

 inferior to Balceniceps. 



A short exposition of the author's views of the genus Balceni- 



* ' Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London,' 18C0, p. 4C1. 



M 2 



