302 PKOF. HUXLKY ON THK ALECTOUOMORPH/E. [MaylJ, 



I have not sufficient materials to decide the point ; but the Odon- 

 tophorincE appear to go with Perdix. 



In the proper PhasianhicE (Phasianus, Thaumalea) and in Pu- 

 crasia, the pelvis has reached an indifferent point, being neither 

 specially Tetraonine nor specially Galline ; but that of the Lopho- 

 phorince (Juophophorus, Tetraogalhis) is more decidedly Galline. 



The Peacocks are the most aberrant forms of this series, from 

 the curious modification of the postacetabular area of the pelvis. 

 The costal processes of the sternum are obtuse and relatively short, 

 the acromion is somewhat recurved, and the backward process of the 

 second metacarpal is small. In several of these circumstances they 

 come nearer Numida than any other of the Gallntetraonine series do. 

 On the other hand, they seem to be closely allied to Lophophorus, in 

 which genus the pelvis exhibits a tendency towards the Pavonine 

 form, and the acromion is slightly recurved. 



II. The relations of the Pteroclidae and Hemipodidse to the true 



Alectoromorpha3. 



In almost all those respects in which the Grouse differ from the 

 Fowls they approach the Pigeons ; and an absolute transition between 

 tliese groups is effected by the Pteroclidce, whose popular name 

 of " Sand-Grouse " might fitly be exchanged for that of " Pigeon- 

 Grouse." 



1. I find the vertebrae in the cervical, dorsal, lumbar, and sacral 

 regions to have the same number in Pterocles and Syrrhaptes as 

 in the Alectoromorjihce ; and ankylosis takes place in the same 

 manner. 



The Peristeromoi'pha in general agree with the Alectoroinorphce 

 in having the penultimate dorsal free. Very often the last cervical 

 is ankylosed with the first dorsal ; but in this respect, as in the 

 number of dorsal vertebrae (defined by the connexion of the ribs 

 with the sternum), individual variations are common among the 

 Pigeons. On the other hand, the total number of cervico-dorsal 

 vertebrae appears to be very constant, viz. nineteen — or two fewer 

 than the number (twenty-one) so generally met with in the Alec- 

 toromorphcB. The fifteenth vertebra is very generally ankylosed 

 with the sixteenth and seventeeth ; the eighteenth appears always 

 to be free, the nineteenth always ankylosed with the lumbar series. 



The fifteenth vertebra is very generally the last cervical ; but some- 

 times it becomes connected with the sternum by a sternal rib, and 

 then must be counted as first dorsal *. In one specimen of Goura 

 the sixteenth is cervical. 



2. In the skull, the palatines, the maxillo-palatines, and the man- 

 dibles resemble the corresponding parts in the Alectoromorphce ; the 



* I find the vertebral formula of ordinary Pigeons and of Didunculus to be : — 

 C. fourteen, D. five. L. three, Sacrals and Urosacrals ten. Free eaudals six. 

 Gotcra coronata Las C. fifteen or sixteen, D. four or three, L. three, Sacrals and 

 Urosacrals twelve, Free eaudals six. In the increased number of the sacral and 

 urosacral vertebra; Goura resembles Dhhis, whicli also has twelve of these ver- 

 tebra". 



J 



