208 Dr. J. Murie on the Upupidse. 



entitling them to a separate rank, is worthy of adoption among 

 ornithologists. The Epopinse or Epopomorphse would thus be 

 segregated from Huxley's group of Coccygomorphse, but in 

 a linear arrangement still follow the Bucerotidae as nearest 

 allies. It is true 1 have endeavoured to show the passage- 

 form which may break down the line of demarcation. It is 

 highly probable that some corresponding extinct bird may 

 yet be found blending Upupine or Irrisorine characters with 

 Passerine, and that in this way our present grouping may 

 fall to nought. The formation of the group Epopomorphse 

 must therefore be regarded only as a temporary expedient in 

 the attempt to comprehend the natural classification of birds. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. 

 Plate V. 

 Skeletal segments of Hoopoes, viz. a female adult specimen of Upupa 

 epops, Linn. (tigs. 1 to 22), and three views (figs. 23 to 25) of the sternum 

 of a male Upupa minor, Gmel., the latter drawn from a specimen in the 

 osteological collection of Prof. Newton of Cambridge, and numbered 706a 

 in his MS. catalogue. Figs. 5, 6, 19, and 21 are enlarged two diameters ; 

 all the rest are, as near as may be, of natural proportions. 



Fig. 1. A side view of the cranium. 



Fig. 2. Lower mandible, also in profile. 



Fig. 3. Skull, seen from above. 



Fig. 4. Palatal surface of the skull. 



Fig. 5. Under articular aspect of the left quadrate bone, magnified two 



diameters. 

 Fig. G. The same quadrate bone on its outer surface, magnified two dia- 

 meters. 

 Fig. 7. Occipital aspect or back view of the skull. 

 Fig. 8. The lower jaw, seen from above or orally. 

 Fig. 9. The furcula or united clavicles, from in front: per, prsecoracoid 



expansion. 

 Fig. 10. Under surface of the breast-bone. 

 Fig. 11. The articular upper end of the arm-bone. 

 Fig. 12. The same bone, viz. left humerus, its posterior face. 

 Fig. 13. Its lower articular extremity. 

 Fig. 14. Inner aspect of the remainder of the bones of the left wing. 



Letters applicable to the above figures run : — n, nostril ; s of, supra- 

 orbital foramen, a bony plate dividing it from the anterior nares; p, pos- 

 terior, e, exterior, and i, inner quadrate knuckles, articulating with lower 

 mandible ; oi, orbital limb; //, groove on auditory limb of quadrate. 



