PLATALEIDvE. y.i 



Family PLATALEID^. 



None of the species arc of very large size, and the beak is gene- 

 rally either flattened and spatulate iPlatalca), or narrow and 

 actlcctod (Ibi6-). 



The tarso-metatarsus has a less prominent intercotylar tuberosity 

 than in the C^coniUke. In the tibio-tarsus the lateral compression 

 of the distal extremity is less marked, and the intercondylar tubercle 

 tends to disappear more or less completely. 



The coracoid is shorter, with a wider sternal expansion, a crotchet- 

 ike hyosterna process, a sharp inner border passing gradually into 

 the subclavicular process, and a foramen at the base of the latter 

 ihe lurcula is U-shaped. 



The delto-pectoral crest of the humerus is more developed, the 

 surtace for the pectoralis major narrower, and the subtrochanteric 

 lossa larger. 



The angle of the mandible is produced and recurved. 



Genus IBIS, Lacepede '. 

 The beak is long, slender, and deflected. 



The tarso-metatarsus difi'ers from that of Platcdea by the develop- 

 ment of an imperfect median crest in the large channel between the 

 inner and outer crests of the talon. The distal condyles of the 

 tibio-tarsus are smaller and serrated by a less deep gorge, the inter- 

 condylar tubercle being absent. The femur is long and slender 

 With a prominent anterior trochanteric border, no pneumatic fora- 

 men at the proximal extremity =, a deep distal anterior trochlear 

 surface, and the anterior border of the external condyle extendin<^ 

 higher up than the inner one. ° 



The coracoid is straight and but slightly constricted 

 ./"^i"' "Ju T"' is cliaracterized by its la'rge subtrochanteric fossa, 

 the depth of the groove between the head and the ulnar tuberosity 

 and the triangular section of the upper part of the shaft, the dorsal 

 aspect of which has a distinct ridge continuing up to the point of 

 insertion of the pectoralis minor. 



The generic term must be used in a somewhat less restricted 

 sense than in recent Ornithology. 



^ M6m. de I'Institut, vol. iii. p. 518 (1801). 

 = Present in the Ckoniidm. 



