Mr. T. C. Eyton’s Notes on, Birds. 29 
ferent character to that found in Aramus scolopaceus. In the 
form however of the inferior larynx and the trachea, a short di- 
stance above it, a resemblance is found to the trachea of Tantalus, 
described by Mr. Brookes in the ‘ Linnean Transactions,’ those 
parts being laterally compressed. The Courlan (Aramus -— 
paceus) is described by Nuttall in his ‘American Ornithology’ “a 
being heard by night as well as by day, crying out in a sonorous 
voice carau !” He also states, “ that it is well-entitled to the name 
of the supposed crying-bird of Bartram.” In some parts also it 
is called the clickmg. hen, under which designation I have re- 
ceived it from Honduras, all which names however denote that 
it has a peculiar power of voice which the conformation of the 
trachea fully bears out. | 
Among the series of skeletons of Grallatorial birds in my pos- 
session*, there is not one that approaches to that of Aramus in 
the form of the sternum, the whole of them having either two 
or four deep fissures in the posterior margin of that bone. I have 
never seen the skeleton of Tantalus, but suspect that Aramus 
approaches very nearly to that genus. 
The sternum of Aramus is much longer also than that of any 
of the Grallatorial genera named in the note. 
In the structure of the pelvis, legs and ribs, 4ramus agrees with 
Porphyrio and Rallus, but the coracoids, os furcatum, scapule and 
wings are much stronger considering the respective sizes of the 
birds. The os furcatum also differs in form. 
Most Grallatorial birds have the septum between the orbits of 
the eyes more or less perforated ; I cannot therefore derive any 
information from this character, and I have no grallatorial ske- 
ai im my possession which has the lacrymal bones of the same 
orm. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE III. 
Aramus scolopaceus, male. 
Fig. 1. Lower portion of the trachea, nat. size. 
Fig. 2. GEsophagus and stomach half the natural size. 
fig. 3. A portion of the intestine and left ceecum. 
Fig. 4. Posterior portion of the sternum, nat. size. 
* T have in my collection the skeletons of species of the following genera: 
Tinochorus, Porphyrio, Ardea, Egretta, Rallus, Botaurus, Nycticorax, Cha- 
radrius, Tringa, Totanus, Scolopax, Strepsilus, Vanellus, Squatarola, Li- 
mosa, Machetes, Gallinula, Rhynchea, Crex, Numenius, Hoplopterus, He- 
matopus, Himantopus, Ibis, Fulica, Phoenicopterus, Qidicnemus, Ciconia. 
