912 DR. R. W. SHUFELDT ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF THE [DeC. 1, 



applies to the Cypseline foot, the joints of the podal phalanges 

 being arranged upon the plan of 2, 3, 3, 3, for the first, second, 

 third, and fourth toes respectively. 



Analytical Synopsis of Skeletal Characters 

 of certain PiCARiiFi. 



Of Trochilus alexanbri : — 1. Osseous mandibles tenuous, 

 more than twice as long as remainder of skull. Antorbital very 

 large, and indistinguishably blended with lacrynial. Great deficiency 

 of bone in interorbital septum and anterior wall of brain-case. Den- 

 tary process of premaxillary and the maxillary form a free rod be- 

 neath the lateral margin of premaxillary, on either side, fast only 

 at its extremities. 



3Ia.i'illo-palatines flat, horizontal lamina, widely separated in the 

 median line. Vomer deeply cleft behind, with long, free, spicula- 

 form anterior extremity. Palatines are widely separated in the 

 median line, most so behind. Outer margins for their entire length 

 nearly a straight line. Long and slender anteriorly, where each one 

 merges into the corresponding maxillary to be produced far for- 

 wards in a pointed lamelliform/ree extremity. Hosti-um very broad. 

 Pterygoids straight and subcylindrical rods. Quadrate with pecu- 

 liarities of form and articulation. Angle of the mandible truncated. 



Hinder elements of the hyoidean apparatus curl up behind the 

 skull in life. 



2. Spinal column contains 32 vertebrae and a pygostyle ; last two 

 dorsals anchylosed to pelvic sacrum. Sternum long, gradually 

 widening as we approach xi])hioidal extremity, which latter has an 

 entire and rounded border. Manubrium absent. Carina of great 

 depth. In the shoulder-girdle, the coracoid is peculiar in having 

 the tendinal canal closed with bone, and a large perforation in the 

 shaft below it. Sternal extremity not dilated. Hypocleidium of 

 very broad U-shaped furculum rudimentary. Blade of scapula 

 bent at an obtuse angle outwards in the same plane that its principal 

 surface is in. 



3, Humerus short and broad, of very peculiar form, but sliglitly 

 shorter than ulna. Radius much arched. Metacarpus considerably 

 longer than ulna ; the phalanges of manus wonderfully long and 

 peculiarly developed. Four sesamoids in this limb, two in the 

 carpus, and two at the elbow. 



Large free patella in ])elvic limb. Pro- and ectocnemial processes 

 of tibio-tarsus are rudimentary. Hypotarsus of metatarsus both 

 pierced and grooved for tendons. Hallux incumbent ; joints of pes 

 normal (2, 3, 4, 5). 



Of the Genus Chordediles : — 1. Osseous mandibles broad and 

 short. Lacrymals large and free. Walls of orbit entire, with ex- 

 ception to the regular foraminal openings. Maxillo-palatines are in 

 front of the vomer, in contact for their entire lengths in the median 

 line, where they may anchylose. (Two exceptions to this known to 

 me, namely, the genera Caprimulgus (Huxley) and Phalanoptilus.) 



