Kilt UMBO. 



393 



it was tliis species. Wliilst one bird was thus iilaying, another would frequently 

 answer its cry from a tree liard by." 



Only one family constitutes the su])er-faniily COLIOIDEJE, a rank which may 

 fairly be defended by Dr. Muric's words : "If we take one set of regional cliarac- 

 ters, — the feet, tlie liead, the breaslboiies, the j)elvis, and so on, — we can place it in 

 as many different groups; we can even trace rajjtorial kin ; so that it is hard to say 

 where Colius could not be wedged in, and plausibly too. Not only is it entitled to 

 be considered aberrant, but to afford the strongest proof of the interlinking of type, — 

 not in the chain series so often advocated, but, like the Isle of Man tripodal coat-of- 

 arras, kicking its legs about, and whichever alighting upon, there it stands. But if in 



...... ^' 



, - \A' 



Fio. 193. — £epto«omu« discolor, kirmiibo. 



true spirit of ornithology wc take the bird in its cunijiletoness, it will be allowed it 

 docs ncit 80 closely resemble any acknowledged individual group as to come under 

 its definition." 



As demonstrated by Professor Garrod, the palate is desmognathous (cf. the accom- 

 panying cut. Fig. 11I4), and the vomer is not ossified, and conseijuontly lacking as a 

 bone, therein .agreeing with Alccdo. There are no basipterygoid ])rocesses. As to 

 the breastbone, ho asserts that it resembles that of the Megalaimidas more than any 

 other bird. The rostrum is indented, but not deejdy cleft. In regard to internal 

 characters, his researches confirm the result of Dr. ^lurie, based ujion osteological 

 grounds, that the Coliida" arc not to be referred to the Cuculoidea>, .as has usually 

 been done. They lack the ambiens muscle, and " in the arrangement of its plantar 



