SKULL OF THE ZGITHOGNATHOUS BIRDS. 281 
the epipterygoid process (e.pg) comes near that of the lower schizognathous types: 
the spatulate fore end of the bone has evidently given off a mesopterygoid segment 
to the palatine; but I see no further subdivision, as in Parus. In the latter the 
palatines are strong and broad; but in this bird they have a breadth and a strength 
quite unique in the Passerines. The postpalatine keels are deep, and run into a 
bevelled interpalatine angle (pt.pa, 7.pa). The ethmo-palatine lamina above is of equal 
extent to that below; and together they form a broad isthmus, becoming the transpala- 
tine (e.pa, t.pa), the outstanding angle of which is a short strong spike as in Parus; 
this part is steep, as in that species. Thence the base becomes gradually less oblique, 
but does not lessen in width until we come to its anterior half; the prepalatine is set 
in by a blunt end into the stout, high, V-shaped rostrum (pr.pa, d.px). So far all 
is Parine, but on a lower level. As in Parus, the rostrum is formed of the coalesced 
premaxillaries and nasals, to the exclusion of the maxillaries. Moreover this mobile 
rostrum has a good hinge above with the frontal edge, and also on the side with the 
maxillary (figs. 3,4). The upper hinge seems to be more perfect and Psittacine ; and the 
lower hinges are less perfect than in Parus. The palatal process of the preemaxillary 
is more suppressed than in Parus, forming only the inner edge of the strong deep den- 
tary plate (p.pa, d.px). The median part of the rostral palate is very remarkable: 
instead of the triangular tongue of bone there are two rounded bosses, evidently formed 
by osseous matter from the premaxillaries growing into the recurrent trabecular flaps ; 
these are ankylosed to the strong bony septum nasi (s. ”, tr), which does not seem to be 
so alate as in Parus, but has much larger nerve-bridges in the hinder part. These 
wings rival what is seen in Rapacious birds. 
The fusion of the parts of the rostrum is very perfect, and the same part in Parws 
ater looks very feeble and Sylviine beside it (fig. 4); its hinges, grooves, median ridge, 
and steep dentary edges, all indicate a bird of unusual strength and “ pluck” for its size— 
strong as the strongest Finch, but fierce withal. The broad body of the maxillary (mx) 
is twice as large as in Parus; like that type it has very large pedunculated maxillo- 
palatines (ma.p); but the stalk is coarser; it turns inwards somewhat, and the end is 
rounder and more clubbed; this partis pneumatic. The maxillary passes into a strong 
zygoma (/), which is high, just in front of its middle. 
The vomer (v) is larger than in Parus; it is broadly emarginate in front. Its body 
has rounded sides, which draw in fore and aft; and this part is two fifths the length 
of the whole, the crura being long and gently converging; they are a long while 
distinct from the ethmo-palatines. A considerable amount of osseous deposit is seen 
in the alinasal, and some in the inferior turbinal, at least in the nasal wall close to it 
(fig. 4, n.w); the former appears in the dry skull as a bony coil inside the nostril, 
the curtain of which is soft (fig. 4, a.tb, al.n). 
From the steepness of the head, the lateral ethmoid, with its pars plana (e.eth, p.}), 
is a large mass of bone: it does not project much externally ; for the frontal fore edge 
