INTESTINAL TEACT OF BIEDS. 



225 



(3) Psophiince. As the position of Psophia is one concerning which there has been 

 DO little difference of opinion, it is interesting to find that the conformation of the gut 

 in Psophia crepitans (fig. 44) is typically Ralline. As will be seen, it conforms in every 

 way to the character typical of the Kallidse. As it is probable that the differences 

 between the type in the Cranes and that in the Rails is due merely to the larger size of 

 the former, there is no reason to be drawn from the character of the gut for placing 

 Psophia preferentially either with the Cranes or with the Rails. It displays the ground- 

 form common to both sets. Psophia obscura is simplified in the direction of Cariama 

 and the Bustard ; the loops on either side of the axial loop, i. e. " a " and " c," have 

 practically disappeared, so that the conformation in Otis is closely imitated. 



Fig. 44. 



Intestinal Tract of Psophia crepitans. Lettering as in fig. 41. 



. I have already described and figured the intestinal tract in Cariama 

 cristata (26. fig. 14), and the condition in Burmeister's Cariama (Chunga Bnrmeisteri) is 

 practically identical. The duodenum is a long narrow loop. Meckel's tract displays 

 the Ralline loops " a " and " b " ; but the two are merged proximally, " b " displaying a 

 Meckel's diverticulum on the distal limb. There is no trace of loop " c " ; but there is a 

 large supra-duodenal loop drained partly by a "bridging" vein, and having the long 

 caeca closely applied to it. The rectum is straight but of fair length. It is plain 

 that the intestinal tract of the Dicholophidae presents an apocentric character of a 

 definite nature, but which may be regarded as a simple derivative of the type shown in 



