HERODIONES. 59 



The specimen has been somewhat ■waterworn, so that the 

 talon, if present, has been worn away. There is a deep 

 fossa on the anterior surface immediately below the 

 proximal extremity, as in existing genera of Steganopodes, 

 and there is also a pneumatic foramen on either side of 

 the posterior surface of the proximal extremity, as in 

 Pelecanus, Fhalacrocorax, &c. 



Presented bi/ W. H. Shnihsole, Esq., 1S90. 



Suborder VII. HERODIONES. 



Desmognathous birds ia which the angle of the mandible is 

 usually truncated, although occasionally produced. All the members 

 of this suborder agree in having extremely long legs, in which the 

 femur is very short, the tibio-tarsus considerably longer than the 

 tarso-metatarsus, the phalangeals much elongated, and the second 

 trochlea of the tarso-metatarsus nearly as long as or even longer 

 than the fourth, and is not thrown backwards. The humerus has a 

 distinct groove for the coraco-humeral ligament, and no cctepi- 

 condylar process. The osteology of the Ardeidce differs so con-, 

 siderably from that of the Oiconiidce and PlataUidce, that it is 

 advisable to divide the suborder into two sections. 



Section A. HERODI.ffi. 



The tarso-metatarsus is characterized by being compressed from 

 back to front, with the anterior chauuel confined to the upper third, 

 and having only a single tubercle for the tibialis anticus; the 

 talon is large, and has a very prominent internal crest, somewhat 

 like that of Phalacrocorax, external to which are two smaller crests, 

 with two closed channels for the flexor tendons ; the distal trochlese 

 are placed in a nearly straight line, the second being longer than 

 the fourth. 



The tibio-tarsus can be distinguished from that of the Ciconice 

 hj the form of the distal condyles. 



The furcula is V-shaped ; the coracoid is very long and slender, 

 with a minute subclavicular process, and no foramen at the base of 

 the same ; the two coracoids overlapping one another at their junction 

 with the sternum, which is short. The general form of the coracoid 

 is strikingly like that of Phalacrocorax, although distinguished by 

 the presence of a hyosternal process. 



