448 MR. w. A. FORBES ON THE [May 16, 



(5) In the very slight development of the ascending plates of the 

 palatines, well represented in the other group. 



(6) In the small amount of ossification in the interorbital septum, 

 this, in the Motmots, being nearly entirely osseous. 



(7) In the shape of the sternum, this having four distinct and 

 deep notches (the outer pair being far the larger) never converted 

 into foramina, and separated by dehcate xiphoid processes. In the 

 Motmots the inner pair at least {Hylomanes), but usually both 

 {Momotus, Baryphthengus, Eumomota) are converted into smallish 

 foramina. 



(8) In the tendency to bifurcation of the manubrium sterni. 



(9) In possessing 8 sacral and 7 caudal vertebrae, as opposed to 

 1 1 and 6 in the Momotidse'. 



(10) In the oil-gland having a large tuft of plumes on its apex, 

 this being quite or almost altogether absent in the Momotidse. 



(11) In the better development of the rictal and mandibular 

 vibrissae. 



(12) In the ocreate tarsus, which is very long, whereas in the 

 Momotidse it is transversely scutellated and short. 



(13) In the much greater syndactylism of the toes. 



(14) In the less development of the outer pectoral branch of the 

 inferior tract, which, in Momotus at least, is given off much nearer 

 the anterior margin of the breast, and diverges much more than in 

 Todus. 



(15) In the shape of the tongue in the Motmots, apically frayed- 

 out and brush-like, and with the lacerations of the margin directed 

 forwards, not backwards. 



(16) In the possession of large and well-developed intestinal 

 Cffica, these being completely absent in all the Motmots. 



(17) In the triangular shape of the obturator internus, this in the 

 Motmots being oval. 



(18) In the conformation of the syrinx. 



Of special points of resemblance between Todies and Motmots I 

 am unaware of any tbat can be considered characteristic of these 

 two families as a group, the points in which they do approach each 

 other being equally met with in other allied birds. Thus the simple 

 dorsal tract of Todus and Momotus reappears in Alcedo, as do the 

 crenulated beak-margins in Merops^. Neither is the termination of 

 the expansor secundariorum muscle on the teres peculiar to the two 

 groups in question, as it is found, as already observed, in some King- 

 fishers, as well as in Steatornis. 



The resemblance between the termination of the tensor patagii 

 tendons in the two families is perhaps the best-marked feature of 



^ In all the Momotidse I have examined (including the genera Momotus' 

 Ban/iMhengus, and Hvlomancs) this is the number of these vertebriB, the total 

 being 37, except Bari/jMhengus, which has only 36, by the reduction of its dorsal 

 vertebra; to 4 (0. 15', D. 4, S. 11, Cd. 6=36). Dr. Mui-ie, after stating the 

 number of the vertebrce in the Motmots to be 36, 37, or 38, curiously enough 

 gives the number characteristic of Todus (35) as one of the characters of )iis group 

 " Serratirostres," in which lie includes the Motinols (Ibis, 1872, p. 410) ! 



^ As already pointed out by Murie. Ibis, 1872, p. 398. 



