SERIN—S HAG 829 
pp. 445, 446) have declared in effect that this view of its affinities 
cannot be taken. Prof. Huxley (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1867, p. 455) 
expressed himself more cautiously, and, while remarking that 
in its skull “the internasal septum is ossified to a very slight 
extent, and the maxillo-palatine processes may meet in the middle 
line, in both of which respects it approaches the birds of prey,” 
added that “the ossified part of the nasal septum does not unite 
below with the maxillo-palatines,” and that in this respect it is 
unlike the Accipitres ; finally he declared (p. 457) that, as Otis con- 
nects the Geranomorphx with the Charadriomorphx, so Cariama con- 
nects the former with the <Aetomorphe, “but it is a question 
whether these two genera may be better included in” the Gerano- 
morphx, “or made types of separate groups.” The latter course is 
followed by Prof. Fiirbringer (Untersuchungen, p. 1566) and Dr. 
Gadow (Thier-reich, Vogel, i. pp. 184-186), who unhesitatingly regard 
the Seriema as the type of a distinct Family, whose nearest living 
allies may be found in the Gruidz (CRANE), Psophiide (TRUMPETER) 
and Otididx (BUSTARD)—a determination which is probably final. 
SERIN, Fr. Serin, O.F. Serene, Provenc. Serena, supposed to be 
from Siréne (Lat. Siren), and applied to the bird from its agreeable 
song—the Fringilla serinus of Linneus and Serinus hortulanus of 
recent ornithologists—a small Fincu long known to inhabit 
Southern Europe with Northern Africa, and of late years observed 
to be extending its range on the continent and to have appeared 
in England (Yarrell, Br. B. ed. 4, ii. p. 111). Its habits have 
been described by Mr. Dresser (Bb. Hur. iii. pp. 551-553) from his 
personal observation, and by no one better. It is nearly allied to 
the CANARY-BIRD, though recognizable by its tints, its larger size, 
proportionally shorter wings and longer tail. Dr. Sharpe (Cat. B. 
Br. Mus. xii. p. 370) accounts the latter a “subspecies” of the 
Serin, but without giving his reason for departing from the general 
practice of considering them distinct species, and thus one is unable 
to appreciate the validity of his judgment. He however admits 
18 other species of the genus. 
SHAG, the English name commonly applied all over the world 
to members of the genus Phalacrocorax in general; but specialized 
by British ornithological writers for P. graculus, the smaller of the 
two species which inhabit the coasts of these islands (CORMORANT, 
p- 106). In breeding-plumage the Shag, with its plumage of 
uniform glossy green, its tufted crest—the feathers of which curve 
in 1834 saw a defective skeleton sent to Munich by the Brazilian travellers 
Spix and Martius. His description of it was not, however, published until 
1853. To it is appended a description by Dr. Creplin of some Hntozoa found in 
the Seriema, but this unfortunately seems to give no help as to the systematic 
position of the bird. 
