196 Dr. J. Murie on the Upupidse. 



ing of the tear-bone (lachrymal) with the prseethmoid process, 

 and brevity of the so-called zygomatic process, no sure line 

 of demarcation can be drawn between it and Upupa. 



The lower jaw complies in general outline &c. with that of 

 the Hoopoe; the posterior and internal articular processes 

 are less pronounced ; and by a short grooving of the upper 

 surface of the posterior end of the symphysis we have indica- 

 tion of slight lengthening and lodgment therein of the tongue. 



The sterna of three species examined by me (/. seneyalensis, 

 I. erythrorhynchus , and /. aterrimus) differ inter se, and, while 

 bearing the family stamp of Upupa, gradually diverge from 

 that genus. 



In /. seneyalensis the notches are converted into small fo- 

 ramina, and the xiphoid bars peak outwards, thus giving greater 

 posterior breadth to the sternum, which even mesially is 

 wider. The keel is by far shallower, with a straighter free 

 margin, sharper and less rounded, and wider emargination 

 forwards. Rostrum narrower, pointed, and less deflexed. 

 The basal rostral aperture, however, is very manifest, but the 

 tuberosity above not so dominant. /. erythrorhynchus has a 

 breast-bone like that of Upupa, inasmuch as the notches are open 

 though reduced. In keel &c. it is like its confrere ; but there 

 is duplicity of the interior pneumatic foramina, and these are 

 situate laterally. This same specimen of Prof. Newton's bears 

 additional value on account of the xiphoid cartilages (c, fig. 28) 

 being in situ. From their disposition we recognize that by 

 their ossification the notches are readily connected into fora- 

 mina, and the median indented posterior border produced, as 

 obtains in /. erythrorhynchus (figs. 26-27). Moreover part 

 of the middle cartilage, ossified and dried, is what, I presume, 

 Blanchard accentuates as the denticle peculiar to the sternum 

 of Upupa ; for in my specimens a tiny bit of dried cartilage 

 was alone present at the spot indicated. The shoulder-girdle 

 and sternum of the Black Irrisor (I. aterrimus) is smaller and 

 more delicate than the preceding. The notches are deeper, 

 xiphoid bars pedate, a bifid tuberosity above rostrum; the 

 latter is very short, and the emargination below and produc- 

 tion of keel almost perpendicular. In these particulars there- 

 fore it manifests Passerine tendency. 



