1894. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 311 



Tyrannus differs from the genera mentioned above in the early and 

 complete fusion of the prepalatines with the premaxillaries. Ampelis 

 is peculiar in the large symmetrical ossifications of the anterior trabec- 

 ular which articulate with the vomer. 



I 



Fig. 11).— Palatal region <if (1) Merida migratorin; (2) Phaeornis obscura; (3) Myadcstes solitarius; 

 all enlarged. 



Myadestes, like Tyrannus, has a flat non-pneumatic maxillo palatine, 

 although that of Myadestes is the less hooklike and more expanded of 

 the two. Phccornis has a maxillo palatine 

 like that of a thrush. 



The manubrium of My<(destrs is rather 

 wide and low, similar to that of Fhwornis, 

 these birds in this particular departing from 

 the thrushes as well as from Ampelis. 



The (Bsophagus is large and there is no 

 crop. The stomach is large, with strong 

 walls. The intestine is very short, measur- 

 ing but 0.145 m. in length. The stomach was 

 full of small berries mingled with a few 

 remains of insects. 



The dorsal tract is almost straight in 

 Myadestes, slightly different from what occurs 

 in Turdns paUasii. 



Myadestes was placed by Gray with the 

 Ampelidiie, but is included among the 

 thrushes by Dr. Stejneger. 



While the bird has some leanings toward 

 the AmpelidfT it seems to have more decided affinities with the thrushes, 



Fig. 11 .—Palatal region of Tyrannus 

 earolinmisis, enlarged. 



