1(J^ 



Mr. P. C. Mitchell on the 



series each with its diagonal row. Cittura cyanotis (fig. 10) 

 and C. sanghirensis are also eutaxic in the strictest sense. 

 In these^ there is a small carpal remex not bound do-.vn by 

 a plica^ and a very small carpal covert. Then follow thirteen 

 quills in even series, each supporting a diagonal row. 



Fig. 10. 



Cittura cyanotis, diagram of cubital feathering. Explanation as in 

 figure 8. Eutaxic arrangement. 



Alcedo asiatica (fig. 11), A. bengalensis, and A. ispida are all 

 strictly eutaxic ; the carpal covert and carpal remex are absent 

 in A. ispida and present in the others. In all of them the 

 quills are in even series, and are at the base of diagonal rows. 

 The wing of Ceyx rvfidursa is similar to that of A. asiatica. 



Fio-.ll. 



Alcedo asiatica, diagram of cubital feathering. Explanation as in 

 figure 8. Eutaxic arrangement. 



The seventeen Kingfisters which I have examined thus 

 sliow plainly that here, as in the Columbidse, the conditions 

 known as eutaxy and diastataxy cannot be regarded as 

 fundamental characters in any of the greater schemes of 

 classification. Eoth conditions occur, scattered as it were 

 indiscriminately within tiie confines of the gioup, and some- 

 times even within the confines of a genus. Kor are the two 

 gcnditions atsplutcly maiked oft" one from another, but lend 



