246 



1316. The skull of the great White Heron (Ardea alba). Hunterian. 



1317. The skeleton of the Bittern (Ardea stellaris). 



The apex of the furculum does not reach the sternum. There are 23 vertebrae between 

 the skull and sternum, of which the last six support ribs : the first two pairs are free ; the 

 succeeding ribs are articulated to the sternum by bony hsemapophyses ; the last (seventh) 

 pair of ribs are attached to the sacrum and do not reach the sternum. There are 8 caudal 

 vertebrae. 



Mm. South. 



1318. The skull of a small Bittern (Ardea minor). Purchased. 



Family Gruida (Cranes). 



1319. The skeleton of the Cyrus or Serass Crane (Grits Antigone). 



The bones of the beak are straight and conical, but relatively shorter than in the Stork ; 

 the bony nostrils form an extensive excavation in the upper mandible. The number of bone- 

 tendons developed from the spinal muscles is considerable ; they contribute to fix all the 

 dorsal vertebrae ; but the chief peculiarity of this species of Crane is the excavation of the 

 keel of the sternum for the reception of a coil of the trachea : the apex of the furculum has 

 coalesced with the anterior and inferior extremity of the keel : the anterior and superior ex- 

 tremity of the keel makes an unusual projection forwards. There are 25 vertebrae between 

 the skull and sacrum, of which the last seven support ribs : the first rib is free and floating ; 

 the succeeding ones are articulated to the sternum by bony hsemapophyses ; the eighth and 

 ninth pairs of ribs are attached to the sacrum, and also by bony heemapophyses to the ster- 

 num. There are 7 caudal vertebrae. 



Purchased. 



1320. The skeleton of the Cyrus Crane (Grus Antigone). 



The left side of the keel of the sternum has been removed to expose the convolutions of the 

 trachea : the vertebral and costal characters agree with those of the preceding skeleton. 



Mus. South. 



1321. The skull of a Cyrus Crane (Grus Antigone). Hunterian. 



1322. The sternum and confluent furculum of the same Crane. Hunterian. 



1323. The scapulae of the same Crane. Hunterian. 



