170 Prof. Reinhardt's Remarks on the Genus Balseniceps. 



in the Herons, the so-called spina sternalis is wanting, and, in 

 addition to the emargination at the posterior end of the sternum 

 which appears in the Herons and Storks, there exists another and 

 smaller one, nearer the keel. The sternum of Balceniceps differs 

 more from that of Cancroma than from that of the Herons pro- 

 per, in which the sternal keel is connected with the furcula by 

 means of an articulation, as this in Cancroma does not touch the 

 sternum. Neither, however, is that the case in Scopus; and it 

 must be confessed that the points in which Baltsniceps is said to 

 differ from Cancroma separate it also from Scopus. But they 

 are of little weight ; even the most striking of them, the anchy- 

 losis of the furcula with the sternal keel, may, as Mr. Parker 

 shows, be suddenly revealed in one peculiar member of a family 

 or even of an order* where it generally does not appear, as it 

 may be also found in some and wanting in other birds more 

 nearly related to each other f. 



But even if, from what Mr. Parker states respecting the ster- 

 num of Balceniceps, no sure conclusions can be drawn regarding 

 its affinity to either of the birds so often named, or to the 

 Storks rather than to the Herons, it is not therefore impossible 

 to derive reasons from this bone in favour of adopting one opi- 

 nion rather than the other; for a very perceptible difference 

 in the sternum seems to prevail between the Herons and the 

 Storks. In the former [Ardece cinerea, herodias, and egretta) 

 the right coracoid is attached with its inner and lower angle 

 lapping over the left, and the sockets or articulating surfaces of 

 these bones on the most prominent rim of the sternum are 

 thereby rendered quite crooked and unsymmetrical. In the 

 Storks {Ciconia nigra, Lepioptilus javanicus) these articulating 

 surfaces are, on the contrary, symmetrical ; and Scopus, in this 

 as in so many other points, harmonizes with them. I regret 

 not being able to speak as to Cancroma in this respect ; but no 

 further explanation is needed to show that it would be import- 

 ant to obtain information on the subject, and also to ascertain 



* For instance, the Secretary {Serpentarius reptilivorus) among the birds 

 of prey. 



t The anchylosis is found in Grus antignne and G. americana, but not in 

 Balearica pavonina. 



