Eoctinct Birds from Futaf/onia. 3 



The skull of Phororhacos (figs. 1, 2) is of the most extra- 

 ordinary appearance and size, that o£ the largest species, 

 Ph. longissimus , measuring about two feet in length. The 

 cranial portion is much depressed, while the rostral region 

 is much compressed from side to side, somewhat as in the 

 Puffin. The beak is hooked, like that of a raptorial bird, 

 and its margin at the commencement of the decurved portion 

 bears two or three serrations. The orbit is said to be 

 completely continuous with the antorbital fossa. The 

 mastoid processes are very prominent, giving the hinder 

 portion of the skull somewhat the appearance of that of 



Skull of Phororhacos injlatus. \ iiat. size. 

 (From Anieghino.) 



Phalacrocorax , although in most other respects it is quite 

 dissimilar. The temporal fossse are very large, and are 

 separated one from another only by a short interval. The 

 quadrate is very large, and articulates with the skull by a 

 double head. The mandible is extremely massive ; its angle 

 is truncated, as in the Storks, Accipitres, and many other 

 i)irds. The anterior extremity is upturned : in this respect 

 the mandibles of Psophia and Mycteria have been compared 

 with the fossil, but in the former only the lower margin 

 curves slightly upward at the extremity, and in the latter, as 

 in the Avocet, although the mandible turns upward it is 

 accompanied by the upper beak, which does not curve down 

 over its extremity. The only living bird which I have been 



