272 Dr. J. Murie on the Genus Colius. 



do not protrude much ; and the postfrontal processes are like- 

 wise short, as are the zygomatic. The septum orbitale has a 

 considerable open space below ; and each orbital plate is par- 

 tially membranous. 



As regards the bones which surround the occipital foramen, 

 and that in front, which has been named " basitemporal " by 

 Parker*, I need only say they are plump. 



The articular or quadrate bone has a short orbital process. 

 Its inferior or distal end is unlike the Parrots', and similar to 

 some of the Raptores' in the internal and external knuckles 

 being subequal in depth, the former compressed and set ob- 

 liquely inwards, whilst the posterior knuckle is short and flat. 

 The pterygoid bars are of medium stoutness and length, and 

 directed well inwards. Jugal rods slender. 



The most important features of the base of the skull have yet 

 to be mentioned, namely the palatal construction. I regret to 

 say, however, that slight injury to the parts makes me speak 

 with a degree of caution ; but I believe, and as far as I could 

 make out, they are as I shall describe. Quite in front the in- 

 ferior surface of the prsemaxillse forms a short, somewhat trian- 

 gular or arrow-headed concave area. Widely apart from this 

 start rearwards the palate-bones. The fore half of each of 

 these, as in the Finches and some of the Raptores, is narrow, 

 rod-like, and convex superficially, and nearly horizontal, or with 

 a trifling outward tilt. The hind half widens out into a great 

 thin plate of bone, truncate posteriorly, and with a decided 

 inward obliquity. The inner margin possesses a longitudinal 

 o-roove, and meets its fellow of the opposite side, they together 

 lying on the long central beam inferiorly dividing the orbital 

 cavities and termed the " rostrum of the basisphenoid." 



The maxillaries do not appear to obtrude much into the basal 

 aspect of the beak, at best only to be detected on the outside 

 of the prsepalatals. The inward processes from these, called 

 " maxillo-palatines " by Huxley f (which in many birds contribute 



* Fully traced in its development in many birds ; see his numerous im- 

 portant memoirs to the Royal, the Zoological, and the Ray Societies. 



t Vide P. Z. S. 1867, p. 419 (footnote). Nitzsch, fully half a century 

 ago called attention to the Knochenkapsel or Mmchelhcin as analogous 



