Siiiiii.ni : ( )si Ki)i.()i;\' ok iiii'. 1 .i.mhoi.k. .");"> 



cates larinc affinities, and rckilionsiii[).s with birils belonging to more 

 lowly groups, wherein this character is far more pronounced and at the 

 same time a \ery common one. In the Ruff, and some other forms, 

 the U is not so spreading, and the clavicular limbs in front of the cora- 

 coidal articulations are considerably compressed in the transverse di- 

 rection. And these latter, in this situation, are upon their outer aspects 

 longitudinally com a\ed in Ga/Ziinii^o dclicata and in Totaiuis flivripcs. 

 Some Sandpipers also exhibit this latter character. Taken as a whole, 

 however, the os fiircitla varies but very little in its general form 

 among the typical limicoline birds. 



The coracoid of Niimenius loiigirostris is comparatively a short, 

 thick-set bone, as scarcely any true shaft exists between its humeral 



Fig. 20. Left scapula and coracoid of A'li/iiciiiiis lougiroslris : natural size. 



and sternal extremities. Such as it is, however, is transversely ellip- 

 tical on section, the section being made just below the inner process at 

 the head of the bone. The sternal extremity is broad from side to side, 

 in which direction it is also convex anteriorly and concave behind. 

 Below, the sternal margin is divided into two deep concavities ; the 

 inner and broader one is completely occupied by the articular facet for 

 the sternum. The outer is sharp and free, having attached to its upper 

 horn a pointed and up-tilted little spine, that I will call the costal spine 

 of the coracoid, it being opposite the costal border of the sternum. On 

 the outer aspect of the bone we find the usual elliptical facet that here 

 forms about the two thirds of the glenoid cavity (Hgs. 19 and 20). 

 The summit of the bone consists of a massive hooked process, directed 

 forwards and inwards. Above and behind, it is impressed by a shallow 

 concavity, while its inner surface is devoted to an elongated facet for 

 head of clavicle. Below this on the inner side, we find another lamelli- 

 form process, curving inwards, upwards, and forwards, that at its tip also 



