Sm I'Ki.nr : Osii-.()i.()<;v of thk T,imi(()I„e. 39 



during life. The fust picrc of the arch, just named, has the form of 

 a long arrow-head, with quite a sizable fenestra towards its hinder 

 end. This is the inter-eerato-hyal fenestra. The first basi-branchial 

 has a median longitudinal ridge above, connecting the two enlarged 

 articulating extremities ; the posterior one has two facets for a cerato- 

 branchial element on each side. These are long and slender, curving 

 upwards. They support the equally delicate epibranchials, which 

 terminate in filaments of cartilage. The second basibranchial is quite 

 short, comparatively speaking, it being in turn produced backwards by 

 a slender, cartilaginous tip. 



It will be seen from this description, as far as I have carried it, how 

 really very much alike is the skull of a Plover and the skull of a Curlew. 



Comparative Notes f?'oi/i f/ie Skulls of other Liinicoline Birds. — 

 .■\lthough the skull of Hiiiiautopus iiiexicatii/s, the Black-necked Stilt, 

 has most of the usual limicoline characters, its general form is (juite 

 different from that of the skull of either a Plover or a Curlew. Viewed 

 superiorly, we find the median crease very deep between the orbits, 

 and the glandular depressions on either side of it are semilunar in form, 

 strongly stamped and definite in outline. The convexities are directed 

 towards each other.' Each terminates anteriorly in a single foramen, 

 that pierces the roof of the orbit beside the lacrymal bone. The inter- 

 orbital sejitum of this Black-necked Stilt is markedly deficient in bone, 

 and the anterior wall of the cranium does not fare much better in this 

 respect (see Fig. 13). Supra-occipital foramina of the most usual form 

 are found in this bird also, the muscular lines of the occiput being well 

 defined above them. The pa/s plana of either side is but feebly de- 

 veloped, and the descending spine of the lacrymal falls far short of 

 reaching this bony projection of the mesethnioid. Upon basal view 

 we find the palatines long and narrow, with the vomer slender, and 

 terminating in a sharj) point anteriorly. The hinder end of each 

 articular ])art of the mandible in Ilimantopits has the appearance of 

 being scooped out, so as to form a semiluniform cavity. 



Reciirvirostra americaua. — Several of the characters presented on 

 the part of the skull of HlDiantopus are substantially reproduced in the 

 case of the Avocet. Chief among these is the form assumed by the 

 proximal ends of the mandible, the extreme narrowness of either pars 

 plana, and the free-hanging descending limb of either lacrymal, 



1 The present specimen may l)e defective. It was prepared at U. S. Aniiy Med. 

 Museum before I had charge. 



