(EDICNEMlDiE. 169 



Gavise. In the skull, however, the supraorbital grooves, when 

 present, either do not meet in the middle line, or, if they do, are 

 ill-defined, and without the deep temporal grooves of the Gavise. 



The tarso-mctatarsus, which is generally very long and slender 

 in the Scolopaciche, but more or less shortened in the Charadnidce, 

 differs from that of the Gaviaj in that the postero-external border of 

 the second trochlea (which is short and directed backwards) is 

 produced into a tubercle. 



The posterior trochlear surface of the distal extremity of the 

 tibio-tarsus presents a distinct median ridge, which is wanting or 

 very slightly developed in the Gavite. 



The coracoid diflers from that of the Gaviae by its more arched 

 sternal border, the absence of a subclavicular perforation, and the 

 non-inflection of the hyosternal process and anterior sternal angle. 



The wings are generally' shorter than in the Gavire, the humerus 

 never having the tricipital fossa found in the recent representatives 

 of the latter. The absence of fenestration in the proximal phalan- 

 geal segment of the manus is absolutely distinctive. 



Family (EDICNEMID^. 



This aberrant family of Limicolae is readily distinguished by the 

 short beak and the absence of an ectepicondylar process to the 

 humerus, in which respects it shows affinity with the Otididce. 



Genus MILNEA, Lydekker (n. gen.). 



Known by the humerus, which resembles that of (Edicnemus, 

 but is distinguished by the absence of a longitudinal ridge on the 

 dorsal aspect descending from the head, the smaller subtrochanteric 

 fossa, and the deeper impression of the brachialis anticus, which is 

 divided into two distinct moieties. 



The humerus cannot be identified with any of the genera de- 

 scribed by Milne-Edwards from the Allier Miocene, and its resem- 

 blance to the corresponding bone of (Edknemns, leaves little doubt 

 that it indicates an allied form. 



Milnea gracilis, Lydekker (n. sp.). 

 The type and only described species. Of the dimensions of 

 (Edicnemus scohjxuv, the length of the humerus being 0,082. 

 Hub. Europe (France). 



