Dr. J. Murie on the Upupidse. 207 



ther. Studying the fossil remains in question, from delinea- 

 tions given, and particularly Milne-Edwarcls's admirable re- 

 presentation, it seems to me that the contour of the orbito- 

 cranial portion of the skull, the positive and negative evidence 

 of a long, shallow, straight, pointed bill, and what is present 

 of the rami of the lower mandible, all point as much, if not 

 more, to Upupa and Irrisor than to the same parts in Toccus. 

 The tarsal structure is quite as near Irrisor as the latter. 

 When I add that likewise the ribs, even though imperfect, and 

 unusual elongation of pubis (of the latter I presume the rod-like 

 bone thrown rearwards out of place), show further likeness, 

 I believe I am justified in looking upon Cryptornis as an ex- 

 tinct ornithic bridge betwixt the Bucerotidse and Upupidse. 



Whilst speaking of fossils I may mention that certain frag- 

 mentary remains of long limb-bones, described by Milne-Ed- 

 wards, are shown to be identical with those of Upupa. Lim- 

 natornis paludicola, Milne-Edwards, is another form believed 

 by him to approach the Upupidse ; and Laurillardia longirostris 

 evinces osteological affinities with Merops, Promerops, and 

 Cryptornis. The paucity and imperfect nature of the ma- 

 terial, however, is such that, although it permits recognition 

 of bones as nearest to those of certain living groups, restora- 

 tions advantageous for systematic purpose are less secure. 



IV. Final Considerations on the Hoopoe. 



The conclusions arrived at by me thoroughly substantiate 

 by osteological data Strickland's juxtaposition of Upupa and 

 Irrisor. Moreover his subfamilies Upupinse and Irrisorinse 

 fitly serve to distinguish certain differentiation of character 

 possessed by each — though, if an increased value of rank is as- 

 signed the Hoopoes, Upupidse and Irrisoridae must be used. 

 In the former I recognize but one genus, Upupa. The Irri- 

 soridse contain two tolerably well-defined genera, Irrisor 

 and Rhinopomastus, although it is possible further research 

 among the fossil specimens may bring out others akin to these 

 or the preceding. 



I, likewise, am satisfied that Prof. Alph. Milne-Edwards's 

 estimate of the value of the osteological characters of the group, 



