284 



Order PASSERES. 



Tribe STNDACTTLI. 

 Genus Alcedo. 



1478. The skeleton of the Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida}. 



The temporal depressions meet at a ridge on the parietals : the sternum has four notches 

 posteriorly : there is no episternal process, but its equivalent is developed from the anterior 

 border of the keel, which touches the apex of the furculum. The upper extremity of each 

 half of the furculum sends forwards a broad and thin process. There are 19 vertebrae be- 

 tween the skull and sacrum, the last six of which bear moveable ribs, and of these the last 

 four pairs unite with the sternum : there is also a pair of sacral ribs. There are 7 caudal 

 vertebrae. 



Presented by Sir Anthony Carlisle, F.R.8. 



1479. The skeleton of a Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida). 



Of the 19 vertebras between the skull and sacrum, the six posterior bear moveable ribs, 

 and of these the last four pairs join the sternum. There is also a pair of sacral ribs. 



Mm. South. 



1480. The skull of the Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida). 



Presented by J)r. Leach, F.L.S. 



1481. The skeleton of the Great Australian Kingfisher (Dacelo giyanted). 



It is remarkable for the large proportional size of the skull, and for the strength and the 

 breadth of the conical beak. The temporal fossae meet at a median ridge. The occipital 

 surface is nearly flat. The number of vertebrae between the skull and sacrum is 19, of which 

 the last six bear moveable ribs : of these, the last four pairs are united to the sternum. 

 There is also a pair of sacral ribs, similarly united to the sternum by bony heemapophyses, 

 which are overlapped by the outer and hinder angle of the sternum. The furculum sends 

 off a process near its scapular end. The metatarsus is short in proportion to the tibia. 



Hunt man. 



1482. The skull of the Great Australian Kingfisher (Dacelo yiganted). 



The plane of the occipital foramen looks obliquely downwards and backwards. The post- 

 frontal is larger than the mastoid, and there is an accessory process from the alisphenoid. 

 The temporal fossa is bounded by a ridge both mesially and laterally. The lacrymal bone is 

 unusually developed, and the prefrontal process is wedged into it. 



Presented by George Bennett, Esq., F.L.S. 



