Mr. R. Swinhoe on neio Birds ft-om China. 



173 



was no muscle corresponding to this in Sarcojphilus or in any 

 of the other marsupials dissected. 



In both the Wombat and 

 Sarcophilus^ as well as in Pha- 

 langista and Perameles, there 

 exists a transverse tibio-libular 

 muscle, homotypical with the pro- 

 nator quadratus, quite separate 

 from the prolonged popliteus, and 

 similar to the transverse muscle 

 of the Alligator, Crocodile, Iguana, 

 and other reptiles : the muscle 

 was described by Professor Owen 

 as an aborted flexor digitorum 

 communis longus ; but a careful 

 study of its properties would 

 scarcely confirm this view. When 

 considered in relation to the peri- 

 neo-calcanean muscle of human 

 anatomy, its position with regard 

 to the quadrate pronator seems to 

 be definite. I append a sketch 

 of this muscle as it exists in the 

 Alligator, which is characteristic 

 of its relationship. 



On the sole of the foot in the Devil and Wombat the follow- 

 ing muscles are seen — abductor hallucis, abductor minimi 

 digiti, showing nothing peculiar ; and behind the last there 

 lies a small abductor ossis metatarsi minimi digiti, in Sar- 

 copMlus. 



The plantar interossei are three in number, attached re- 

 spectively to the second, third, and fourth toes, from the corre- 

 sponding metatarsal bone. The dorsal interossei are abduc- 

 tors of the first, second, and fourth digits, and have double 

 origins. 



Hind leg of Alligator. 

 a, pronator quadratus. 



XVII. — Descriptions of three new Sjjecies of Birds from China. 

 By Robert Swinhoe, F.Z.S. 



Family Rallidse. 



Porzana mandarina., sp. nov. 



Crown, hind neck, and upper parts deep brownish olive, 

 ruddy on the forehead. Throat pure white. Eyebrow, the 

 whole face, neck, and breast to the middle of the belly ferru- 



