Page 531. 
182 SOME POINTS IN THE ANATOMY OF STEATORNIS. 
ten rectrices. It differs from both, however, in that the inferior por- 
tion of the dorsal tract does not unite:at all with the scapular fork of 
the superior portion, in having the outer branch of the pectoral tract 
diffused and descending far over the abdomen, and in the general 
tendency to scattering of the feathers. | 
In the skull the lachrymal bones are not developed as they are in 
the Strigide and Caprimulgide. The palate is strongly desmogna- 
thous, as in the Falconidew, and much more so than in the Strigide, 
which are almost schizognathous. The palatine bones also meet across 
a Fig. 2. b 
Skull of Steatornis. a, base; b, superior surface. 
the middle line for } of an inch, in a manner which is quite peculiar, 
and can be best understood by a reference to the drawing, each bone 
being apparently folded on itself behind the point of junction with its 
fellow, and articulating with the basisphenoid rostrum, as well as 
anchylosing with the vomer by its inflected and upward-turned margin; 
each develops a very short slender anteriorly directed process close to 
the vomer, which projects forwards on each side of it near its middle. 
The vomer itself is a quarter of an inch long, slender and quite blended 
with the palatines; its anterior pointed extremity advances as far for- 
wards as the posterior border of the median palatine symphysis men- 
tioned above. The posterior external angles of the palatines, so large 
in Caprimulgus and Podargus, are not developed. The basipterygoid 
facets are large. In the eye the sclerotic ossifications are not consider- 
able, as in the Owls, being not at all unusually developed. 
