98 Mr. H. vSeebolim on the 



2. They are scliizorliinal in the bifurcation of their nasals. 



3. They have usually two xiphoid processes on each side of 

 the median process of the posterior margin of the sternum. 



4. They have no basipterygoid processes. 



5. They have tAvo lateral occipital fontanelles. 



6. The angle of the mandible is slightly produced and 

 recurved. 



7. The palatines almost coalesce for a short distance after 

 their articulation with the pterygoids ; but as soon as they 

 become expanded the laminae are at a distance from each 

 other, in this respect resembling those of the Ciconiidse and 

 Fregatidje. 



8. The maxillo-palatincs resemble those of the Herodiones 

 and Steganopofles in being large and spongy, and fused with 

 each other and the maxillary processes of the palatines. 



Within the order the 2nd character is diagnostic. 



The Platalcse number about thirty species, which are dis- 

 tributed throughout the tropical and subtropical continents 

 of the world. 



Of the eight characters which are hereafter given as dis- 

 tinguishing the Herons from the Storks, the Spconbills and 

 Ibises all agree with the Herons in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 

 and with the Storks in the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, and 8th. Tn 

 fact the Herons differ more inter se, and so do the Storks, 

 than the Spoonbills do from the Ibises. The shape of the 

 rostrum seems to be of very little taxonomic importance. 

 Still less importance must be attached to the number of 

 xiphoid processes on each side of the median process of the 

 posterior margin of the sternum ; the Madagascar Spoonbill 

 {Platalea telfairii) appears to be aberrant in this respect, dif- 

 fering from all the other Spoonbills and Ibises in having only 

 one lateral process on each side. 



It is extremely doubtful whether the Ibises have any 

 right whatever to be regarded as a distinct family from the 

 Plataleidse. Except in the characteristic shajDCs of their bills, 

 they present no differences of importance in their osteology. 



The Platalese seem to be closely related both to the Anseres 

 and to the Herodiones, especially to the Ciconiidse. 



