Page 932. 
460 ON INDICATOR MAJOR. 
shoulder-blades a bird is homalogonatus; when the tract runs on un- 
enlarged to near the lower ends of the scapule, then it is anomalogo- 
natous. Again, among the Anomalogonate, when the pectoral tract 
bifurcates into an outer and an inner branch just after commencing 
on the chest, then the bird is one of the Piciformes, and has a tufted 
oil-gland; when the pectoral tract does not bifurcate at all, or only at 
the lower end of its pectoral portion, but is only increased in breadth 
instead, then the bird is Passeriform,* and has a naked oil-gland. 
Exceptions to these rules scarcely exist. 
In that the dorsal tract of Indicator does not form a fork, but 
remains narrow, between the shoulder-blades, it is anomalogonatus— 
the Cuculide being homalogonatous; in that it possesses a free outer 
pectoral band to the anterior tract, it is a Piciform bird. The oil- 
gland is also tufted. 
A careful examination of the skin proves that the genus agrees 
more closely in its feather-tracts with the Picide, Capitonide, and 
Ramphastide than Nitzsch’s figures would tend to prove. To me it is 
evident that there is a communication between the thoracic extremity 
of the inferior neck-tract and the upper extremity of the humeral 
tract, as in the Picide, Capitonide, and Ramphastide. Again, in 
the three groups just named there is a great weakness or an entire 
disappearance for a short distance of the dorsal tract towards the 
lower extremity of the interscapular region. In Indicator this same 
weakness exists; so that, with the exception of a single feather in the 
middle line, the appearance of the region in question is much more 
like the arrangement in Ramphastos than in Nitzsch’s figure of the 
genus. On the ventral surface of the fleshy tail I find a median 
subcircular space surrounded by feathers, as in the Picide and 
Ramphastide, as well as in the Capitonide apparently. The caudal 
termination of the dorsal tract agrees with the account given by 
Nitzsch. I could find no trace of a duplication of the lumbar 
tract. In the possession of twelve rectrices Indicator differs from the 
Capitonide and Ramphastide, which have ten, like the Picide. 
Skeleton.—The specimen of the skull of Indicator examined by 
Professor Huxleyt at Mr. Sclater’s request was too imperfect for 
exact description. The considerable interval between the maxillo- 
palatines is recorded by him. Iam now able to add that the vomer 
is but little different from that of the Capitonide. The palate of 
Megalema asiatica is described and figured by Professor Parker in 
the “‘ Transactions of the Linnean Society.” { It is truncated in front 
* Vide “ Proceedings of the Zoological Society,” 1874, p. 119. (Supra, p. 217.) 
+ “ Tbis,’’ 1870, p. 179. 
{ 2nd series, “ Zoology,” vol. i. p. 122, and pl. xxiii. 
