434 



MR. F. E. BEDDARD ON THE 



[June 3, 



which forms the lower boundary of the fossae presents the appear- 

 ance of independence, and the eye hardly takes it in in noting the 

 shape of the skull. 



In all these points the skull of Podica resembles that of the 

 Eails. 



Skull of Podica sencgalensis, ventral view ; nat. size. 



The general appearance of the skull of Podica is more like that 

 of Aramides than of any other Rail with which I have been able to 

 compare it. But it differs from Aramides, and agrees with Fulica 

 and Ocydromus, in the comparatively short, outwardly and back- 

 wards directed part of the lachrymal, and also in the slender ven- 

 trally-directed process which does not (as far as the ossified part at 

 any rate is concerned) reach the jugal. 



There is rather a less marked contrast in diameter between the 

 anterior and posterior parts of the palatines than exists in the Rails ; 

 but this character by no means offers a link with the Grebes. 



There is no advantage to be gained by comparing Podica with 

 Colymhus, for that bird shows the characters of Podiceps even 

 exaggerated, and has also a well-marked supraoccipital foramen and 

 grooves for nasal glands, which are wanting in the Eails and also 

 in Podiceps ^ 



' The outline of the foramen magnum shows where this supraoccipital forar 

 meu has coalesced with the foramen magnum. 



