36 



ontogenetically retarded ; e. g. the structure and distribution of the feathers, the fir- 

 like anterior extremities, the broad scapula, and, according to Flirbringer, even the 

 metatarsus. The resemblances with Podiceps and Colymhns are superficial only, but 

 he cannot tell to which of recent birds the Penguins approach nearest. All that the 

 author contends against is the removal of the Penguins into a Subclass, equivalent to 

 the rest of the Oariuatae. On his plate 29 a they are represented as a lonely group." 



Mr. Seebohm, in 1890, places them in his Galliformes, with ^'at 

 least five characters,, each of which is diagnostic.^' He says that they 

 " represent/^ in the Antarctic Ocean, the Puffins and the Anks which 

 abound in the Arctic Ocean, and "it is difficult to believe that they are 

 not distantly related. The bones of the palate are so very similar in 

 the Impennes, the Pygopodes, and the Alcidae, that it is difficult to 

 regard the Penguins as far removed from the Gallo-Grallse.'"' 



The next '^'Intermediate Suborders " which exercise Prof. Fiirbringer 

 are the Gruiformes and the Ralliformes. "The Gruiformes/-' para- 

 phrases Dr. Gadow, " are connected with the Charadriiformes by 

 Eurypyga, with the Ralliformes by Aramus. They seem to have 

 reached their culminating period in the Miocene age. Dicholophus is 

 the most highly specialized form, and has assumed peculiar raptorial 

 characters isomorphic with those of Gypogeranus, which is a true Bird 

 of Prey.'^ 



''The Ralliformes flourished as early as the Eocene period. The 

 Fulicarise, consisting of the Rallidae and Heliornis, are more nearly 

 related to the Hemipodii and the Crypturi. The Suborder of the 

 Ralliformes takes therefore a position intermediate between Grui- 

 formes, Crypturiformes, and Apterygiformes. The latter two Suborders, 

 together with the Galliformes, constitute the Order Alectorornithes. 

 The relationship of the Crypturi with the Apteryges is real, and bridges 

 over the gulf between Carinate and Ratite birds, especially through 

 cranial and pelvic structures.'" 



Mr. Seebohm [vide infra) keeps the Apteryges in his Struthioni- 

 formes, and his Grallse"^, which are almost co- extensive with the Grui- 

 formes of Flirbringer, he puts between his Suborder LimicolcC and the 

 Suborder Fulicarii, the latter leading on towards the Pygopodes. 

 According to Seebohm, the Pteroclidse and Turnicidse are Gralline, 

 while Fiirbringer places the latter with his Ralliformes and the former 

 with his Columbiformes. 



This is Prof. Fiirb ringer's opinion of the Columbiformes, according to 

 Dr. Gadow : — " They stand between Charadriiformes and Peristeropodes, 

 perhaps nearer the former through the Pterocletes, which are un- 

 doubtedly the more primitive group, whilst the Columbse, beginning with 

 the Miocene age, are still on the ascending scale, and are birds of the 



* "The EaUs and their allies leally belong to the same group as the Cranes and 

 their allies, but for convenience they may be allowed to form a separate section 

 characterized by their holorhinal nasals " (Classif. B. p. 40). 



