49'i OTPfl,H r b Procellariiformes. 



lorhinal, nostrils). Another fact which is perhaps of importance 

 is the much-reduced gizzarcl and the correspondingly enlarged 

 proventriculus. Less important likenesses are the double pectoral, 

 the short colic coeca, which are occasionally reduced to one in 

 the Steganopodes; thèse points ally the group to the Herodiones as 

 well to the Tubinares. The very names Fi-egata and Fregetta, Péle- 

 canus and Peïecanoides are an expression of thèse views". — Fo- 

 Bopa o cBOHxt oCTeonorn^ecKHX'B n3ï.TCKaHiHxi>, KacaiomnxcH 

 Procellariif ormes, Pycraft 1 ) namen.: „The indications of the Ci- 

 coniiform 2 ) affmities of the Pétrels pointed out by other writers 

 hâve been verified and additional points brought to light. Itwould 

 seem that the Pétrels must be regarded as a very ancient group, 

 undoubtedly by no means remotely allied to the Splienisci, Co- 

 hjmbi, and the Ciconiiformes. Their Ciconiiform affinities are most 

 clearly seen perhaps through the palate. That of Diomedea for 

 instance, présents many points in common both with Fregata and 

 with Ciconia that can hardly be attributed to any other source 

 than that of dérivation from a common ancestor. The holorhinal 

 nares, the temporal fossae, and deep supra-orbital grooves they 

 share in common with the Penguins and the Divers. The pelvis 

 of the Procdlariidae seems to be traceable to a form most closely 

 resembling that of the Penguins. That of the Diomedea is more 

 specialized, and in adult, at least, resembles not a little that of 

 the Ciconiiform type. Besides the Pétrels, the Grèbes and Divers 

 are the only other birds which hâve the cnemial crest greatly 

 developed so as to rise high above the articulai' surface of the 

 fémur. This can hardly be regarded as an adaptation in the case 

 of the Pétrels, for they are not great swimmers, and do not the- 

 refore use their legs as do the Divers". JI^eosiTh jtêtt. cuvera 

 Pycraft 3 ), p;i3cyîK,nas o poscTB^j Proceïlariif ormes , Colymbiformes 

 n ScJieniscif ormes, baM'ÉuaeTt: „It may well be that thèse three, 

 with the Ciconiiformes, represent so many branches of a common 

 stock. The fact that, on the whole. the Pétrels, osteologically, 

 approach the Steganopodes is quite in accoi'dance with the anci- 

 ent character of this group. But the Tubinares are apparently 



1) Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1899, p. 403. 



2) y PrcRAFT'a Tyn. Bt CMHcrï G-ADOw'a, t. c. co BicuioieHieM-b Stega- 

 nopodes. 



3) Godman, Monograph of the Peti-els, p. XIX (1907—1910). 



