Suri-Ei.DT : Osteology of the Fi.amincoes. 313 



inclined to believe this to be the case. These latter will now be 

 considered. 



Upon comparing the os fiircula of PlurnicopferKs with that l)one as 

 we find it in the Anseres and in various species of Ibises, I find it to 

 bfr decidedly more anserine in character that ibidine. Indeed, the 

 fourchette of our Flamingo may very well answer for that bone in any 

 average Duck of medium size, and in its general characters it departs 

 but little from the os furcula of Bernicla. It is of the typical broad 

 U-shaped pattern, with a semi -aborted, stumpy hypocleidium at the 

 posterior aspect of the symphysis. The latter feature is usually absent 

 among the Anseres, and rarely if ever present on the bone as found 

 among ordinary Ibises. Viewed upon lateral aspect it will be seen 

 that it is markedly curved in the antero-posterior direction, the con- 

 ve.xity being to the front ; and that the clavicular limbs as well as the 

 symphysial arc of the arch are nearly of uniform calibre. The former is 

 somewhat compressed in the transverse direction and the latter antero- 

 posterior-wise. Each free clavicular extremity is considerably drawn 

 out and very gradually terminates in a blunt point behind. On the 

 upper side of either clavicle, at about 1.5 cm. anterior to the blunt 

 posterior apex, we are to observe the barest evidence of a minute 

 tubercular elevation ; it is no more conspicuous than we see it in such 

 a genus of Geese as Bernicla, but in some ducks this process is a very 

 well pronounced character, as it is also in some Mergansers. The os 

 furcula of Phivnicopterus ruber is non-pneumatic, and, although its 

 coracoids and scapulae present all the usual appearances of bones that 

 enjoy that condition, I have failed to find any foramina in the latter, 

 and they are very small in the 'former. They occur in an unusual 

 place in the coracoids as Ave shall presently see. 



Upon comparing the coracoid o{ the Flamingo with that bone as it 

 is found in various Ducks, Geese, Swans and Ibises, I find it to be 

 most like the coracoid of such a Goose as Bernicla canadensis ; it, 

 however, offers some characters which readily distinguish it from that 

 bone. In the first place it is somewhat shorter and rather stouter ; then 

 also its scapular process is longer and more curved, and is perforated 

 at its base by the elliptical foramen seen in many birds. This foramen 

 is present in Plr,i:^adis, where it is very small. On the inner aspect of 

 this foramen in the Flamingo (on the shaft side) the bone has been 

 absorbed so as to create a pneumatic aperture of some considerable 

 size — the opening being as large as the perforating foramen itself. 



