280 PROFESSOR W. K. PARKER ON THE 
maxillary (fig. 2, ma) wedges in between the long and pointed dentary and palatine 
processes of the premaxillary (d. pa, p.px); the mesopterygoid ossicles are not yet 
distinct. There is a small prickle of bone on the front of the ecto-ethmoid, looking 
like a recently separate, but very small, lacrymal; it most probably corresponds with 
the larger and quite distinct bone seen in the Wagtail (Motacilla yarrelli—Plate LII. 
fig. 8, 2). 
Example 57. Skull of Suthora bulomachus. Family Suthoride. Group Oscines. 
Habitat. Amoy. 
As this alert and quarrelsome bird! has a skull which comes nearer to that of the 
Tits than any I have yet examined, I bring it in here. The specimen was sent me 
trom Amoy by Robert Swinhoe, Esq., in the autumn of 1866. This accomplished 
ornithologist, with the specimen, gave his views of its relations in his letter tome. I 
append that communication in a note below”. 
The skull of Suthora is smaller, but much stronger, than that of Parus ater; it has 
a coarse appearance as compared with the skull of our native Titmice. The ptery- 
goids (Plate LI. figs. 3 & 4, pg) are stronger and more sinuous than in Parus ater; 
* Bovdépaxos, pugnax. 
‘British Consulate, Amoy, 
22nd Sept., 1866. 
2 “My Dear Srr,—As you are great in osteology, I make no apologies for sending you a specimen of my 
Suthora bulomachus. It is a Formosan grass- and reed-bird; and you will see a figure and description of it in 
the July ‘Ibis’ for this year. The sternum of this bird is worth examining, as it seems to me to present affi- 
nities to those of the Garrulaw group. Mr. A. Newton observes that an examination of this bird might tend to 
throw light on the relations of Calamophilus biarmicus of Europe. This you will now have it in your power 
to determine. It appears to me that Paradoxornis and Suthora are to Garrulaw what Spizivos is to [vos and 
the Brachypodide. 
« Besides seeds, I find Suthora is extremely partial to grasshoppers. It holds the insect down with its foot, 
while it tears it to pieces with its bill, beginning at the eyes and head of the insect in every case. In eating 
and tearing the insect the upper mandible seems to have an independent motion, working its tip into the inside 
croove of the lower, which has then the appearance of being projected. It will be worth while to examine the 
muscles of the bill, to note if they be in any way developed differently from those in cognate species. 
“Thad a Suthora alive some days since, and had then the pleasure of watching closely its habits. I have the 
specimen now in spirits. The one I send I had dried in the wind, in order the more easily to transmit it home 
to you by letter. I should like you to subject it to a close examination, and to make a report on it either in 
the ‘ Ibis’ or the ‘ Proc. Zool. Soe.’ 
“Tf I can at any time advance your osteological labours with any special species that I have within reach, 
pray do not spare to command me, 
“T am, my dear Sir, 
“Yours very truly, 
“ ROBERT SWINHOE, 
*W, K. Parker, Esq., London.” © HM. Consul.” 
