No. 2.] APHRIZA VIRGATA. 327 
species the postpubis is separated by more or less of an interval 
from the lower margin of the ischium of the same side, along 
the middle of its continuity. 
Figure 20 of the Plate shows the form upon lateral view of 
the pygostyle in A. vzrgata, and that is not far departed from 
by the representatives of nearly affined Lzmzcole. In Oyster- 
catchers it varies, because in them the ultimate caudal vertebra 
usually is coalesced with the bone, giving it the different shape. 
The Surf-bird and its allies show the diapophyses of the caudal 
vertebrze to be spreading in the first few leading ones; then in 
mid-course they become shorter and bend downwards; then long 
and more flaring again, to terminate by an aborted one just 
before coming to the pygostyle. The ultimate two or three 
may develop bifid hamapophyses, which anteriorly stand be- 
tween the joints of the centra as chevron bones ; this feature is 
well marked in 7. dbachmant. 
Oyster-catchers have the neural spines of the caudal verte- 
bre notched in front, while Aphriza, Charadrius, and the major- 
ity of the Z7zxgee possess these apophyses as plain points. 
That time-honored standby of avian skeletologists, the ster- 
num, presents among the birds we have been noticing in this 
memoir but few insignificant departures from a common pat- 
tern, except in the cases of R. solztarius and Actttzs. 
Aphriza has the bone (Figs 12 and 15) doubly notched on 
each side posteriorly, the outer notches being fully twice the 
dimensions of the inner ones, —the outer pair of xiphoidal pro- 
cesses thus formed having a tendency to flare outwards; 
otherwise, the outline of the sternal body is quadrilateral, being 
much concaved above and correspondingly convexed upon its 
pectoral aspect. Either costal border shows six hamapophysi- 
cal facettes for the costal ribs, while extensive ‘ eostal pro- 
cesses’”’ of a triangular outline rear above these in front. 
The manubrium is small and sessile, being sharp beneath and 
blunt above, and directly between coracoidal grooves, thus pre- 
venting the coracoids in the articulated skeleton from infringing 
upon each other ; the reverse being the case in Oyster-catchers 
and Avenaria, wherein these bones are in contact posterior to 
the manubrium, when the former are zz sz¢u. Returning to the 
sternum of Apfriza, we are to note its ample carina, which ex- 
tends the entire length of the sternal body, being thickened for 
