WORK ON THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. 215 



or not at all, known anatomically ; all present special features of 

 interest : 



Platdlea (except P. leucorodia and ajaja\ Anastomus, Balczniceps, 

 Esacus, Mergulus, PJialeris, &c., Plotus (exc. P. arihinga), Thinocorus, 

 Mesites, and Attagis ; also the TUBNICID^ Pedionomus (particularly 

 wanted) ; Rhynchcea, IbidorTiynchus, Tachydromus, Pterocnemis (=Rhea 

 darwinii), Tinamotis and Calodromas (both particularly wanted; the 

 latter, at least, ought to be obtainable) ; Parra and Hydrophasianus, 

 Heliornis and Podica, Dramas, Nhynchops, and Palamedea (not Chauna). 



It is also greatly to be desired that the osteology and anatomy of the 

 lately discovered short-winged Kails of the genera Megacrex and Pennula 

 should be properly examined before they become (as they almost certainly 

 will shortly) extinct. 



I may remark that any tolerably strong spirit will do to preserve birds Ibis, 1881, 

 in, but that it will be better, especially in the case of larger birds, to P' 

 change it two or three times during the first few days that the birds 

 remain in spirit. All that is necessary in the way of preparation is to 

 open the abdominal cavity by a slit down the median line, so as to allow 

 the spirit access to the viscera. The viscera should not be removed in 

 any case. 



In default of spirit-specimens, carbolized ones, or skeletons of many of 

 the forms mentioned would be useful ; but spirit-specimens in all cases 

 are to be preferred. The specimens need not, of course, be in good 

 plumage ; and the wing and tail-feathers, and even others, can be cut 

 short to save space. But, unless the birds are named, enough of the 

 feathers should always be left on to secure identification. 



I may add that I shall be very grateful if some of the many ornitholo- 

 gists resident in India would procure me about half a dozen specimens 

 (adult) of wild-shot Gallus bankiva, in spirits, or even skeletons. As 

 the first part of Prof. Garrod's treatise is devoted to the anatomy of the 

 Eowl, it is desirable to have wild specimens of it for dissection, or at 

 least to describe the bones from them, and not from any of our 

 domestic races. 



