}40 



On the Syrinx of the Scolopacidse. 



(3) Woodcock. — The syrinx of the Woodcock recalls that 

 of the Common Snipe, but presents some characteristic 

 differences. It is formed of four fused rings, but the hind- 

 most, it will be noted (text-fig. 9, F.r.), is not produced 

 backwards (downwards, according to the orientation of the 

 drawing) to form such an acute V-shape, while the amount 

 of cartilage in its ventral border is reduced. The first 



Text-fiii-. 9. 



B.r.l. 



Syrinx of Woodcoclv {Gallinayo msticula), ventral aspect. 

 Letters as in text-fig'. 6. 



bronchial ring differs from the rest of the series in being 

 partly ossified, and its curvature also differs. But the most 

 striking feature of this syrinx is seen in the intrinsic muscles, 

 which are inserted for the most part into the syringeal box, 

 only a few extremely delicate fibres, difficult to trace, 

 attaining the normal goal of this muscle — the middle of 

 the first bronchial semi-ring. This is a degenerate condition 

 and one of no little interest. 



