ORDER COLUMB, 241 
as in the Galliformes the postfrontal process fuses with the zygoma. The cervical 
vertebre are fifteen to seventeen in number, the sternum having its posterior margin 
two notched on each side, or a single notch and a foramen on each side, this resulting 
in different groups. 
The carotids are variable, but the tracheo-bronchial syrinx shows little variation, 
the intrinsic muscles always present, the extrinsic asymmetrical, while the digestive 
system is periccelous, showing gradation from the typically periccelous to the typically 
mesogyrous, ceca small and nipple-like or absent. The leg muscles are variable, 
the complete formula ABXY-+ being common, sometimes the ambiens is missing, 
and in the genus Lopholaimus the accessory femoro-caudal absent. The biceps slip 
is present of peculiar formation, and the expansor secundariorum sometimes 
absent though generally present. The oil gland is sometimes present, sometimes 
absent, but when present never feathered ; this variation is seen in closely allied 
species. The aftershaft is always said to be absent but the wing, though generally 
aquincubital has been recorded in one instance as quincubital. The pterylosis, as 
to detail, has not yet been reported upon. In the Raphiformes the scapula and 
coracoid are anchylosed, but in the Columbiformes the coracoids are free and though 
they meet they do not overlap ; in both the furcula has no hypocleidium. It is 
probable that the association of the extinct flightless forms, Pezophaps and Raphus 
( = Didus olim) is incorrect, paleontologists having been misled by items of con- 
vergence, not of phylogenetic import. 
In this place may be mentioned the Sand Grouse, which we have allowed as 
of ordinal rank between the Galli and the Columba. Externally they agree better 
to our eyes with the former, and we cannot understand those who have considered 
them as Pigeon-like. Internally they show many characters of Galline aspect and 
a few approaching those of the Pigeons, and hence have been regarded as a living 
representative of the Galline ancestral form from which the Pigeons developed. We 
cannot see, however, that any other than ordinal rank must be accorded the three 
groups. 
SuBporRDER COLUMBIFORMES. 
The superficial homogeneity of this group has made the acceptance of families 
and even genera a difficult task, and not the least assistance, but rather the reverse, 
has resulted from the criticism of the so-called deeper-seated characters. As a matter 
of fact, we find comparatively good superficial features but comparatively valueless 
deeper-seated ones in connection with the groups. 
The internal features have been synopsised above, but we may here add that 
Garrod’s differentiation was based on the presence or absence of the ambiens, cxca, 
oil gland and gall bladder, and by usage of this set of items he classed Carpophaga 
with Phaps and then Phlogenas with Ptilopus in different families. It may be 
that Carpophaga and Ptilopus have descended from different sources, and that 
Phaps and Phlogenas (of which Gallicolumba seems to be the correct name) are 
also homeomorphic, but it would require more evidence than the above set of items 
to proveit. Asa matter of fact, the most aberrant form, judged from the superficies, 
proves to be the most peculiar when internal features are examined. We have 
allowed six families, Columbidx, Turturide, Treronide, Microgouride, Gouride, 
and Didunculide. The first named includes the Palzarctic forms, and one or two 
of the second family also range into the Palearctic but the headquarters are tropical ; 
the remaining four families are Oriental and Papuasian-Australian in range, the last 
three being represented by single species, but not Australian. Three families are 
therefore regarded as being represented in Australia—the Columbide, Turturidz 
and Treronidz—and we are of the opinion that this arrangement is imperfect, but 
we cannot at this time prove it. In America the first two families occur, and 
R 
