SnuFEi.DT on the Osteology of Cindus Mexican /is. 215 



The external form of the brain-case is more or less globnlar. 

 the supra-occipital prominence being well developed behind. 

 Above in the median line a shallow furrow is carried forward as 

 far as the fronto-maxillary suture. 



There is but little of interest to note in the lower mandible, to 

 illustrate the points we have in view. 



From this slight sketch of this part of the skeleton we are pre- 

 pared to look a little into iiow Cinches compares with other 

 forms of near kin. The writer, to illusti-ate his remarks, offers 

 the student the four accompanying cuts of the superior aspects of 

 the skulls of birds chosen with the view of showing the compar- 

 able points. 



B 



A is of Oreoscoptes montanus. ]J of Sialia mexicana. C of 

 Cindus itself, and D of Slums nctvlus. 



In the figures, the angle formed at /, /', b. and b' is due to the 

 lachrymal bone on that side ; viewed from above in such forms as 

 Sialia^ Turdus grayl^ Oreoscoptes. Hyloclchia unalasca;^ and 

 no doubt Merula and Mlnius, less so in Harporhynchus^ this 

 projection is markedly angular; while in Slums, the Wrens, and 

 rather less so in Anthus. it is roiaided . as shown in Slums and 

 also in Cindus itself. 



Of the forms we have examined. Slums appears to be closer 

 to the Dipper in this respect than an} other genus, the Wrens 

 {Salphtctes) next, and Anthus next. This also aj^plies to the 

 manner in which the median furrow at the summit of the cra- 

 nium approaches the fronto-maxillary suture, also s]io\vn in C 



