Dr. J. Murie on the Genus Colius. 271 



reader beyoud an after statement of probable alliances drawn 



therefrom. 



C. leucotis, Riipp. 



Meta- Mid pha- Total 



Humerus. Ulna. carpus. langes. length, 

 in. in. in. in. in. 



Wing 0-95 0-9 0-55 0-45 2-85 



Tarso- Mid-toe Total 

 Femur. Tibia, metatarse. phalanges, length. 

 Leg 0-9 1-35 0-95 08 40 



4. Skull and Mandible. — Both the tip of the latter and the 

 whole of the beak are eusheathed with what, in the dried speci- 

 men, is a very hard, terminally thick, horny case. In the beak 

 it projects with a slight hook, less or more marked according to 

 the species. In the lower jaw, as in Parrots, besides clothing 

 the bony contour, it pouts at the symphysis in a deflected narrow 

 gutter, which, however, is overlapped by the upper mandible. 



The bones of the lower mandible are not very strong, being 

 thin and laterally compressed, but of some depth. Each half or 

 ramus has a low antero-posterior arch, the bend being most 

 perceptible at the narrowed apex. There is an elongate fissure 

 or imperfect ossific space about the middle of the bone, at what 

 is termed the " dentary " division by embryologists. At the 

 joint or articular end the bone is moderately developed. The 

 cavity wherein fits the " quadrate " is deepish. There is a well- 

 marked internal angular process. Postarticular process is well- 

 nigh obsolete; but there is a pronounced angle quite at the 

 inferior extremity of the jaw. 



The skull does present certain points in common with some 

 of the Musophagidse ; but it is also undeniable that it closely 

 resembles some of the Finches', not alone in size but in each 

 exterior aspect ! 



The hinder segment, or that containing the brain, is broad, 

 full, and rounded, and of considerable depth. At the same 

 time the top of the skull is not so very high, the ascent from 

 the beak having a gradual slope. 



Superiorly the frontal space between the orbits is of medium 

 width, and rather short on account of the postfrontals coming 

 well forwards. It is deeply hollowed. The prefrontal processes 



