•] SauFKLnT, Osteology of Orthovhamphus magnirostris. 



II 



across posteriorly, so as to afford the articulation for the basi- 

 hyal. This latter is short and triangular, with a posterior ex- 

 tension for the uro-hyal, which latter does not seem to co-ossify 

 with it. Tlie ccrato-branchials are very long, while the epi-branchials 

 are short, and only ossify near their distal ends. 



The trachea (with its superior and inferior larynx) is of very 

 simple construction, and it is not my intention to devote any 

 special attention to it here. 



There are one hundred and foiu-feen rings in the " windpijx' " 

 portion of it, and its anatomy, in so far as its general structure 

 is concerned, is well shown in fig. 2 of Plate II.* 



The Remainder of the Axial Skeleton (fig. 8, Plate IV.) — The 

 spinal Column. — No little interest attaches to the number of 

 vertebrcT which normally occur in the vertebral spine in birds, 

 especially when we come to compare such data in those species 

 which belong to related groups. The significance of the informa- 

 tion obtained may not always be at first apparent ; but the time 

 will arrive when it will be, for far in the future a day will come 

 when we shall be in possession of a much wider knowledge of 

 the morphology of birds than we now command. 



In various published papers of mine upon avian osteology, 

 there occur counts of vertebrae for many species among the 

 waders and shore-birds. One or two of these may or may not 

 occur in the following table, which contains representatives of 

 the principal forms which have been taken into consideration in 

 the comparative osteological study of Orthorhamphus magnirostris ; 

 in such connection it will prove to be useful. 



TABLE. 



* Unfortunately, in the average museum specimens of birds' skeletons 

 the hyoidean apparatus and the complete skeletal parts of the air passages 

 are not to be found. It is largely the case in the present instance, and I 

 find mvself without the tracherc of either a Gull or a Plover at hand. 



