the Systematic Position y/' Indicator. 179 



present the bifurcated '' rostrum sterni/^ which shows their alli- 

 ance to the Passeres. Of this there is no trace in Indicator. The 

 typical Cuculine sternum is short and broad, with a single 

 shallow posterior notch, very different from that of Indicator, 

 which has two deep fissures on each side converted into foramina 

 by the ossihcatiou of the posterior margin. In the form of its 

 sternum Indicator appears to me to approach more nearly to Me- 

 galcetna than to any other bird with which I am acquainted. 

 This general resemblance is much increased by the incomplete 

 ossification of the furcula in Indicator, which is likewise the case 

 in all the true Capitonidce that I have examined. The coracoids 

 were so destroyed by shot in the present example that I could 

 not restore them well enough to add them and the furcula to 

 my figure. But it is quite evident from the remaining portions 

 of them that the osseous furcula consists, as in Megalcema, of two 

 simple separate rami, each terminating in a somewhat acute 

 point before reaching the keel of the sternum. 



Prof. Huxley, who has been kind enough to examine for me 

 the skull of Indicator, writes as follows upon this part of its 

 structure : — 



" The skull of Indicator, which you have sent to me, is not 

 altogether in a satisfactory condition. One point, however, is 

 perfectly clear, namely that the maxillo-palatines, instead of 

 being large, swollen and united with one another, and with an 

 ossified interseptum, as in the Cuckoos, are quite small, and do 

 not extend inwards beyond the inner margin of the palatine 

 bones. 



"The vomers appear to be wholly or in a great measure 

 distinct, and are more like those of the CoracomorphcB than 

 Cuculine. 



" So far, therefore, as this skull may be depended upon, I 

 should be disposed to put Indicator in the ^githognathous 

 division, as an aberrant group having relations with the Wood- 

 peckers. But of course this is a mere indication, and must be 

 checked by study of the rest of the organism of the bird." 



The pterylosis of Indicator, as already show^i by Nitzsch*, 

 differs in many important points from that of the Cuculidce. 



* ' Pterylography,' Ray Society's trauslatiou, p. 90-92. 



