Osteology of the Chatham Island Snipe. 711 



of the latter) but is not present in Gallinago. In this latter 

 the distal end o£ the lamina glides away into and merges 

 with the pre-palatine bar, on which it is lost. 



Attention is also called to the following points : — 



(e) The diflFerent form and structural features of the vomer 

 in all three types, and especially to its diminutive proportions 

 in the Woodcock. The reader will also note the different 

 structural details in the bifid posterior extremities of the 

 three vomers. 



(/) The relative position of the maxillary in all three 

 forms, its fenestration in the Common Snipe, and the Rusti- 

 coline character of this bone in the Chatham Island 

 Snipe. 



(jg) The much thicker, wider, and flatter nasals in the 

 Woodcock and Chatham Island Snipe and the more massive 

 maxillary processes of their premaxillse. 



As regards the palatal region of the Jack-Snipe, it will be 

 noticed tiiat this has been so highly specialised as to present 

 features which seem to be absolutely unique. So far as I am 

 aware, this region in the Jack-Snipe has never been previously 

 described. In stating the case for the generic differentiation 

 of this form under the name Lymyiocryptes, previous authors 

 have confined their attention to the double notching of 

 the posterior margin of the sternum (a very unreliable cha- 

 racter), to the distinctive features of the syrinx, or to the 

 aberrant nature of the coloration and colour-pattern of the 

 plumage. Appaiently they have quite overlooked the highly 

 interesting morphology of the palatal region, which ought 

 to justify or settle for ever the claim of the Jack-Snipe 

 to distinctive generic rank. 



In a way of speaking, the only part of the palatines of the 

 Jack-Snipe which are '^ visible " are their pterygoid processes 

 and the internal laminae (interpalatiue lamina?), which appear 

 to have been pushed considerably backwards and to termi- 

 nate anteriorly in conspicuous, forwardly projecting, and 

 rounded processes. All the rest of the palatal plates, maxillo- 

 palatines, and pre-palatal bars of either side, together 



