216 DR. J. ANDERSON ON THE OSTEOLOGY 



one on either side of its base. In the same species of Tringa the two spines have much 

 the same form as in Eurynorhynchus, hut the nodose processes are absent in the inferior 

 one. All the remaining vertebrae of Eurynorhynchus, in their number, even to the 

 minute details of their structure, conform to the same parts in Tringa. The ribs also 

 call for no remark. 



Shoulder- and Wing-bones. — The scapula is rather more dilated in its posterior half 

 than in Tringa minuta ; and the suprascapular border is bevelled off to a point from its 

 lower margin, whereas in the latter species it is less pointed. The coracoid has much 

 the same proportion to the scapula and to the total length of the sternum as in Tringa ; 

 the head of the bone has the same form as in T. minuta ; similarity also prevails in the 

 shafts and distal ends ; and both birds have hooked epicoracoid processes of one type. 

 The clavicles are the same as in the species of Sandpiper compared. 



The sternum only differs from the sternum of Tringa in the anterior border of the 

 keel being less forwardly curved. The notches are the same in both forms ; and a 

 similar imperfection of ossification exists at the anterior superior border of the keel. 



The humerus is proportionally longer to the antibrachium than in T. minuta. From 

 the humerus of the latter it is also distinguished by the feeble ridge occurring on the 

 preaxial side of the proximal extremity of the humerus of that bird being developed in 

 Eurynorhynchus into a strong triangular anteriorly curved process. The antibrachium 

 and manus have the same relative proportions as in Tringa. 



Pelvis and Kind Limb. — The chief difference that exists between the sacrum of the 

 Spoon-billed Sandpiper and that of T. minuta is the slightly greater dimensions of the 

 ilio-sciatic foramen. In Eurynorhynchus there is narrowing of area immediately below 

 the foramen, and the long free portion of the pubis is given off nearer to the acetabulum, 

 whilst it is more divergent from the ischium. The femur is very little more than 

 one half as long as the tibia, being proportionally shorter than in T. minuta, the femur 

 of which it otherwise closely resembles, although somewhat stouter. The cnemial 

 process of the tibia is the same in both birds ; and the perfect fibula of Eurynorhyn- 

 chus is more than one half as long as the tibio-tarsus. In all other respects the hind 

 limbs of the two genera are alike. 



The Eyoid Arch. — The entoglossal cartilage is considerably longer and stouter than in 

 Tringa salina; and the entoglossal bone is shorter and broader, with a much larger 

 imperfection of ossification than in that species ; but in other respects the remaining 

 elements are alike, only larger in Eurynorhynchus, owing to its greater size. 



The Viscera. — In Tringa salina the intestine measures 7*75 inches, and in Euryno- 

 rhynchus pygmceus 8 - 75 inches. In the former the large intestine is 0-78 inch, and its 

 ceecal appendages 0-62 inch long, while in the latter the great intestine is - 88 and its 

 csecum 0*70 long. The stomach and proventriculus are the same in these two forms. 

 The liver of Eurynorhynchus appears to be somewhat smaller, and differs from that 

 of Tringa salina in having the right lobe flattened externally, and much more pointed at 

 its lower end, which terminates in a sharp projection, this being somewhat the character 

 of T. minuta. Much importance, however, cannot be attached to such slight hepatic 

 differences, because these are liable to occur in individuals of the same species. The 



