No. 3.] THE OSTEOLOGY OF THE PIGEONS. 495 



Basi-pterygoidal processes are well developed and functional ; 

 the palato-pterygoidal articulation is very firm. An interpala- 

 tine spur is present, and a prepalatine passes along the outer 

 side of the corresponding maxillo-palatine rather than beneath 

 it, as it does in the Passenger pigeon. Zenaidiira has its 

 maxillo-palatines compressed from side to side, firm, and very 

 slightly inclined to be scroll-like. A zygomatic bar is almost 

 of hair-like caliber, and its quadrato-jugal end meets the out- 

 standing process of the quadrate and its fore-part rather than 

 its side. 



Agreeing with all of our Cohtmbidcs, we find a slight, 

 rounded elevation on the superior aspect of the maxillary 

 process of a premaxillary at a point about opposite the anterior 

 apex of the maxillo-palatine (see Figs. 3 and 4, PI. A). 



The mandible appears invariably to lack the ramal vacuity 

 at the side of either ramus (numerous skulls have been examined 

 by me for this character). 



Engyptila albifrons has a skull and associated parts very 

 similar to that we find in Zenaidura; the "nasal slits," how- 

 ever, are almost entirely filled in by the swelling of the bones 

 upon either side of them, — the mesethmoid, frontals, and 

 lacrymals. 



Melopelia leticoptera presents in its skull also only differences 

 of the most trifling character as compared with the two just- 

 named pigeons. The skull in this form exhibits a very com- 

 plete state of pneumaticity. 



Aside from their diminutive size, the skulls of Scardafella 

 inca and Columbigallina passerina agree in all important par- 

 ticulars with the characters as seen in Zenaidura. They are 

 seen, however, to be comparatively narrower between the upper 

 margins of the orbits in the frontal region, and there is a 

 well-marked median furrow passing longitudinally here. The 

 orbital peripheries are very slightly tilted upwards. 



When we come to the so-called "quail-doves" one would 

 rather be inclined to look for at least some little variation in 

 the pattern of the skull as compared with the more typical 

 pigeons, but such can hardly be said to be the case. Star- 

 nccnas cyanocephala possesses a skull very much like what we 



