No. 2.] APHRIZA VIRGATA. 333 
middle third. As to the condyles, we find nothing worthy of 
special note, as they are fashioned much as we generally find 
them in ordinary birds; the external one being the larger and 
lower, while it shows behind the usual vertical groove for the 
head of the fibula. 
In the leg the fbu/a is free, not anchylosing with the tibio- 
tarsus, being but a trifle longer than the half of this latter bone. 
Its lower two-thirds are almost hair-like in proportion, and as 
for that matter it would seem that this delicate osseous fila- 
ment can add next to nothing to the skeletal support for the 
structures of the limb (Fig. 8). 
Tibi0-tarsus also has very nearly a straight shaft, but com- 
monly shows, as in Hematopus, a curvature in the transverse 
plane, being gently bowed outwards towards the fibular side. 
Its procnemial process is much the larger of the two laminar 
crests in front of the head of the bone, and it is pointed almost 
directly forwards, while the ectocnemial process is turned out- 
wards, and curves downwards, as a pointed hook. 
They both rear slightly above the articular summit of the 
proximal end of the shaft. Occupying the middle part of the 
upper third, the fibular ridge stands out quite boldly at the 
outer aspect, as in all birds. Proceeding to the distal ex- 
tremity of the shaft we find a marked difference in the form of 
the two condyles, the outer one being decidedly uniform in out- 
line, and the inner one more elongated and showing compres- 
sion in the vertical direction. Between, and at the same time 
above them, in front, we detect the usual little osseous bar for 
tendinal confinement. A /ate//a is absent in the Surf-bird, the 
case, I believe, in all Lzszco/e—at least the writer is not aware 
of any exception to the rule. 
Having a length just equal to that of the femur, the Zarso- 
metatarsus exhibits at its usual site at the upper end and back 
part of its shaft a stumpy hypotarsus, that appears to be both 
pierced and grooved, for the guidance of tendons. Two minute 
foramina in this locality also perforate the bone in the antero- 
posterior direction, which is also the case in an Oyster-catcher. 
A mid-section of the shaft of tarso-metatarsus would show a 
quadrilateral outline, but the calibre increases, and this form 
changes as we pass to its distal extremity, where we find three 
large and prominent trochlez, the middle one of which is the 
