340 



MK. F. E. BEDDARD ON 



[Apr. 15, 



Tlicy may be defined as follows : — 



Schizorhiiml birds with the nasals facing forwards. Supraorbital 

 margin rounded, but with slight depressions for the nasal glands 

 Lachrymal quite independent of the jirefrontal process. Bony 

 interorbital septum largely deficient. Maxillo-palatines large but 

 hardly visible from below. Foramen magnum at posterior end of 

 skull ; occipital foramina present. No jiostfrontal process present. 



The Cranes are placed by Mr. Sclater in his group Alectorides, 

 and so far this is justified by the above definition, which shows that 

 the Cranes are intermediate between the Rallidse and Limicolae and 

 should be therefore placed apart ; but when the other families in- 

 cluded in the Alectorides are considered, such an arrangement does not 

 a|»pear to be feasible. Fsoplda is, in my opinion, suflScient to show 

 tliat this association of birds will not hold, unless it be entirely 

 restricted to Fsophia and the Cariamidae and perhaps the Bustards 

 and (Edicnemus. 



It appears to me, in fact, that the natural affinities of these 

 different birds are not so difficult to make out, if we cease the 

 attempt to combine together the various families of " Alectorides " 

 and simply show the relationships of the several types in a graphic 

 form. 



Aa'deicla3. 



Gi/pocfrranus. 



Limicola; 



\ 



Caria 



Psophia. 



- (Edicnviims. 



Gruida;. 



