CEYPTDRI. 495 



that the Tinamous formed a very distinct group of birds, which, 

 though not to be removed from the Carinatce, presented much 

 rcsembhmce to the Batitce. M. Alix also has, from an inde- 

 pendent investigation of the osteology and myology of Nothura 

 major, come to virtually the same conclusion (Journ. de Zool. iii. 

 pp. 1G9 and 252, pis. viii.-xi.). {A. Newton.) 



Dr. Stejneger (Kingsl. Stand. Nat. Hist. iv. (Birds) p. 51, 1885) 

 has emphasized the many Struthious characters of the Tinamous. 



Mr. Seebohm (Class. B. p. 43) says that " the Tinamous appear 

 to form a link betvreen the Gallhup and the Apteryges. The ster- 

 num is quite unique, but it approaches nearest to that of the Gallince 

 and is as far as possible from that oii\iG Ratitce. In their pterylosia 

 the Tinamous are Galline, and not in the least Struthionine. On 

 the other hand, the pelvis and the palate have certain characteristics 

 which are ouly to be found in the Struthioniformes." 



Mr. E. B. Sharpe in 1891 ('lleview of liecent Attempts to Classify 

 Birds ') agrees with Seebohm's classification, and places the Tinamous 

 after the RatittB at the beginning of the Carinatce, just before the 

 GaJliformes. 



One year later. Dr. Gadow (P. Z. S. 1892, p. 243) placed the 

 Cnii^turiformes, as he calls the Tinamous, immediately after the 

 Anseriformes and before the Galliformes, giving the following 

 diagnosis : — 



" Neotropical. Nidifugous. Phytophagous. 



" Schizognathous. Vomer fused with bones of palate. (Unique.) 



" Basipterygoid processes present. 



" Kbamphotheca compound. Nares impervious. Holorhinal. 



" Sternum with very slender and long mesosternum and simple 

 posterior lateral processes. Procoracoid process rudimentary. 



" With incisura ischiadica. 



" Hypotarsus simple. 



" Flexors of type II. 



" Neck with lateral apteria. 



" Aftcrshaft rudimentary. 



" Oil-gland tufted. Quinto-cubital. 



" Ten primaries. 



" Plagioccclous, type V. Ceeca large. Crop globular." 



In a more recent work (Broun's ' Klassen und Ordnungcn des 

 Thior-Iieichs,' vi. Viigcl, p. IGO) Dr. Gadow defines very shortly the 

 Tinamifor))u's as Nidifugous Carinatae with incisura ischiadica and 

 without pygostyle, and places them between the Falconiformes Q.) 

 and the GaUifomies. 



Only one family. 



