706 Mr. P. R. Lowe on the 



vacuity. Its aseeuding or orbital process lies parallel with 

 and in the same plane as the descending lacrymal, by which 

 it is very nearly completely hidden. 



(2) In the Jack-Snipe the position of the quadrate is 

 further back, and, shortly put, its ascending process may 

 be said to lie neither inside nor outside the orbital space. 



(3) In the Common Snipe the ascending process of the 

 quadrate is intraorbital. It is seen projecting upwards 

 ciiudad oF the descending process of the lacrymal. The 

 quadrate of the Common Snipe occupies, therefore, a position 

 which is relatively further back than is the case with either 

 tlie Woodcock or the Jack-Snipe. 



(4) In the Chatham Island Snipe the quadrate lies 

 further back still than it does iu the Common Snipe. 



(5) Finally, in the case of the Dunlin and its allies, 

 as well as in Jlhynchcea, the quadrate occupies a position 

 which may be said to be normal for the Sandpipers, viz., 

 one which is (;audad of any of the above forms (c/. PI. VIII. 

 figs. 1 and 3j. 



On Plate VIII. the relative positions of the quadrate may 

 be further studied from the dorsal aspect, and here we may 

 observe that, as compared with the condition of things to be 

 noted in the Dunlin and Painted Snipe, the more distad 

 position of the quadrate and other neighbouring structures 

 in the Chatham Island Snipe is well seen. 



Associated with the forward [)osition of the quadrate and 

 other neighbouring structures, iu the forms represented in 

 text-figure 12, A, B, C, D, we may also call attention to the 

 forward position of the foramina for the exit of the lower 

 branches of the 5th nerve. The presence of fenestra in 

 the alisphenoid, so well seen in figs. 5 and 6 on PI. VIII., 

 appears to be a Gallinagine character rather than a Rusti- 

 coline, although in some Woodcock skulls the presence of 

 these is very faintly indicated. In one specimen examined 

 it was indicated only on one side. The fenestra are potential 



