iSS6.] Lucas on the Affinities of Chatura. ^^ I 



Trochihis^ Chcctura^ and Chelidon all agree in having the 

 penultimate phalanges of the foot much the longest of the series, 

 Chcetura standing first in the list. In this respect the three dis- 

 agree with C/iordeiles, in which the phalanges are inclined to be 

 sub-equal. Finally, both Trochihis and Chcvtura have the three 

 anterior digits of the foot somewhat equal in length, while Che- 

 lidon has the middle digit much longer than the others, and Chor- 

 deilcs exaggerates the condition existing in Chelidon. 



In thus reviewing the affinities of Chcrtttra^ I am fully aware 

 that my comparisons have not been so extended as could be wished, 

 but to have done the subject justice would have required an 

 amount of time and material that unfortunately do not lie at my 

 disposal. As Dr. Parker well says, "the structures of the skull 

 and face govern the entire body," yet where these are divided in 

 their allegiance it is surely allowable to fall back on other charac- 

 ters. Now, if I have read the skull of Chcetura aright, it has af- 

 finities not only with the Passeres but with the Hummingbirds 

 and Goatsuckers.* 



Such being the case the remaining portions of the skeleton 

 would seem unmistakably to point to the relationship of Chcetura 

 with Trochilus, while between these birds and the Passeres 

 stand the Goatsuckers. 



I am indebted to my friend, Mr. L. M. McCormick, for his kind- 

 ness in supplying me with the specimens of Trochihis, Chcetura.^ 

 and Swallows on which this article has been mainly based, and 

 to the National Museum for the use of the other material. 



[Since this paper has been in the printer's hands Mr. J. W. 

 Scollick has furnished me with a specimen of Cotile riparia, 

 thus enabling me to examine all the North American Swallows. 

 Dr. W. K. Parker has most kindly sent me Cypschis apus, and 

 although I have not as yet had time to fully prepare the skeleton 

 and compare it carefully with Chcetura yet it promises to show- 

 no marked differences from that bird except, of course, in the 

 numbering of the phalanges.] 



* In order to be free from preconceived ideas Dr. Parker's matchless treatise on the 

 Skull of yEgithognathous Birds was not consulted until this paper was finished. It is 

 now a source of great satisfaction to me to find that in this, as in other places, I have 

 followed in the footsteps of so trustworthy a guide. 



