38 'L^Kcn, The Myology of the Bell-Magpie. [isfTuiy 



Passeriformes. 

 Suh-Order I. : Mesomyodi. 

 Sub-Order II. : Acromyodi. 



(a) Passer es Abnormales, 1 family. 

 AtrichornithidcB : Scrub-Birds, 2 species. 



(b) Passer es Nor males, 48 families. 

 Family XVII. : Laniidce (vol. iv., 1903). 



Sub-Family I. : Gymnorhince. 



1. Pityriasis. 



2. Gymnorhina. 



3. Cr adieus. 



4. Strep era. 



Family XLVII. : Corvidce (vol. v., 1909). 



Family XLVIII. : StreperidcB (vol. v., 1909). 



I. Strepera. 



The palate of Strepera is not the typical aegithognathous form, 

 but a desmognathous type which has been developed by the 

 ossification of the nasal sac and septum, as already explained. 

 It has also a long process backward from the outer end of the 

 palatines. These characters place Strepera in the Gymnorhines 

 of Pycraft with Gymnorhina and Cracticus, and away from the 

 CorvidcB. The presence of the external branch of the genio- 

 hyoideus muscles, of the single anterior branch in the latissimus 

 dorsi muscles, and the insertion of the cleido-tracheales muscles 

 into the sterno-hyoideits muscles in Strepera, Gymnorhina, and 

 Cracticus further justify the grouping of these birds, and their 

 separation from Corvus. 



The pterylosis of Strepera agrees with that of Gymnorhina and 

 Cracticus. It differs from that of Corvus in having no apterium 

 in the dorsal feather tract. This is an added reason for the com- 

 bining of Strepera, Gymnorhina, and Cracticus, and their separa- 

 tion from Corvus. 



This investigation supports Ridgway in his belief that Strepera 

 certainly does not belong to the Corvidce, and that " a more 

 consistent view of their relationship would entitle them [Strepera 

 and Cracticus) to the rank of a family, Streperidce." Sharpe's 

 action in placing Strepera in the family StreperidcB was fully 

 justified. The results of the examination show that Gymnorhina 

 and Cracticus must also be included in that family. 



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