530 



MR. A. H. GARROD ON THE 



[June 3, 



the pectoral portion of the inferior tract in two parts, of which the 

 inner approaches the carina sterni above and separates from it as 

 it descends, in having the upper wing-surface uniformly feathered, 

 and in having a large infundibuliform oil-gland. In none of the 

 Caprimulgidse does the inferior tract continue simple down the neck, 

 whilst in Strix ftammea as in Steatornis it does not bifurcate till in 

 the region of the furcula. But Steatornis resembles the Caprimul- 

 gidse and differs from the Strigidse in having ten rectrices. It differs 

 from both, however, in that the inferior portion of the dorsal tract 

 does not unite at all with the scapular fork of the superior portion, 

 in having the outer branch of the pectoral tract diffused and descend- 

 ing far over the abdomen, and in the general tendency to scattering 

 of the feathers. 



In the skull the lachrymal bones are not developed as they are in 

 the Strigidse and Caprimulgidse. The palate is strongly desmogna- 

 thous, as in the Falconidse, and much more so than in the Strigidse, 

 which are almost schizognathous. The palatine bones also meet 



Fig. 2. 



Skull of Steatornis. a, base; b, superior surface. 



across the middle line, for g of an inch, in a manner which is quite 

 peculiar, and can be best understood by a reference to the drawing, 

 each bone being apparently folded on itself behind the point of 

 junction with its fellow, and articulating with the basisphenoid 

 rostrum, as well as anchylosing with the vomer by its inflected and 

 upward-turned margin ; each develops a very short slender ante- 

 riorly directed process close to the vomer, which projects forwards 

 on each side of it near its middle. The vomer itself is a quarter of 



