898 THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IN BIRDS. 



notch, where they unite ; during their course in the interior of the pelvis, they 

 are surrounded by the tissue of the kidney. The distribution of this portion of 

 the plexus resembles that of the Horse. Thus, in leaving the great sciatic notch, 

 it gives off the anterior and posterior gluteal nerves, then two long branches that 

 lie together as far as the gemelli. These branches are : 1. The great sciatic, with 

 a ramuscule for the gemelli and the posterior tibial muscles. 2. The external 

 popliteal, which, outside the superior extremity of the leg, divides into the musculo' 

 cutaneous and anterior tibial nerve. 



