144 CARINAT^. 



length is generally greater than in the Gallina? ; there are two 

 tubercles for the tibialis anticus ; and the groove for the extensor 

 communis frequently has a bony bridge in the adult. The phalan- 

 geals are more or less elongated. 



The tibio-tarsus is very similar to that of the Gallinte, although 

 generally larger ; but may be distinguished by the external condyle 

 (of which the anterior face is flattened) being much larger than the 

 internal one ; the distal extremity (as in Falica) may be inflected '. 



The femur differs from that of the Gallinae by the smaller size of 

 the great trochanter, the longer and more nearly horizontal neck, 

 and the absence of a po[)liteal depression. 



The furcula is imperfectly U-shaped. The coracoid is of moderate 

 length, with a large recurved subclavicular process, at the base of 

 which is a foramen ; the sternal facet is but little expanded, aud 

 only slightly oblique ; while the hyosternal process is low aud tri- 

 angular. 



The humerus is small and slender, with a low delto-pectoral 

 crest, at the summit of which the peetoralis minor is inserted in the 

 usual manner ; the head is bordered inferiorly by a coraco-humeral 

 groove, and the shallow subtrochanteric fossa has no pneumatic 

 foramen ; there is no ectepicondylar process ; the condyles are 

 small ; and the surface for the brachialis anticus extends close up 

 to the inner border of the bone. 



The ulna is short, much curved, and usually thick, with a large 

 proximal extremity. The metacarpus has an arcuated smaller bar 

 as in the Gallinge, but there is no intermetacarpal process. 



Family RALLIDtE. 

 Includes all the members of the suborder. 



Genus RALLUS, Brisson". 

 The type genus. For pala3ontological purposes the term must be 

 used in a wide sense so as to include Aramides, Porzana, and Crex. 

 Rallus dispar, Milne-Edwards ^. 

 Founded upon a tarso-metatarsus which is nearly of the same size as that of 

 R. aquaticus, and has a similar elongated form, but approximates to Gallinula 

 in the depth of the intercondylar gorge. 

 Hab. Europe (France). 

 From the Middle Miocene of Sausan (Gers). 



1 The tibio-tarsus of Fulica is relatively longer and more slender than in the 

 Anseres. 



- Ornithologie, vol. v. p. 151 (1760). 



3 Oiseaux Fossiles de la France, vol. i. p. 155 (1807-68). 



