PROF. W. K. PARKER ON £GITHOGNATHOUS BIRDS. 307 
(figs. 1-3, px) is of that moderately developed kind which might be found in a feeble- 
faced bird of almost any great group: notably it is like that of Hemipodius (Pl. LIV. 
fig. 11, pw). The large open nasal space in the dry skull, the feeble differentiation 
of the palatal process of the premaxillaries, and the subcarinate, triangular form of 
the fore part of the vomer (v)—all these are like what is seen in the young of the Crow 
(Pl. LV. fig. 1, p.pa,v). At first sight the vomer appears to militate against the bird 
being of the “ kind” of the Crows; but what I show in the young Rook clears the 
thing up, and still better what may be seen in the Chough (Fregilus graculus). In 
this bird the vomer (Pl. LV. figs. 10-12) is seen to be scarcely at all more passerine 
than that of Menuwra; it is more downbent in front; and the scooped facets, from 
which the angle of the “inturned alinasal lamina” (7. a. 7) has been macerated, are 
somewhat larger. 
As the relation of the vomer to the nasal capsule is my proper teat, I think it will 
be seen that I have here pointed out the true diagnostics in Menura'. 
The vomer of Menura (Pl. LVI. figs. 1, 3, 5, v) is lanceolate, rather solid, carinate 
below, and ankylosed by its crura to the ethmo-palatine plates. It is bent downwards 
in front (fig. 3), but not so much as in Fregilus (Pl. LV. fig. 12, v). The nasal scars 
(fig. 5, ¢. a. 2) are shallow-rimmed cups, as in Fregilus. In neither of these types does 
the vomer encroach so much on the nasal cartilages; and in neither of their adult 
skulls can any septo-maxillary centres be seen: they may have existed near the vomer 
on the nasal cartilages. 
The pterygo-palatine arch is almost typical; the pterygoid itself is short, but neat 
and well-shaped, having a large “epipterygoid” hook, a well-formed cup for the 
quadrate, a large anterior lobe clamping the basifacial beam, and a well-detached 
large “ mesopterygoid” (fig. 3, pg, e.pg, ms.pg). The palatines (figs. 1 & 3) have an 
evident transpalatine territory (¢.pa), which, being uncinate, makes the angle almost 
as much developed outwards as in the Rook (compare Pl. LVI. fig. 1, with Pl. LV. 
fig. 6, t.pa). The interpalatine spurs (i.pa) are stout, and are exactly like those of the 
young Rook (Pl. LV. fig. 1, 7.pa), being larger than those of the adult (fig. 6). The 
thin conchoidal ethmo-palatal lamine (figs. 3 & 5, e.pa) do not extend further forwards 
than the interpalatine spurs; they rise and attach themselves to the upper edges of 
the vomer, exactly as in Mregilus. The angle on the outer edge of the palatine, where 
it suddenly narrows into the prepalatine bar (pr.pa), is precisely like what is seen in 
the Rook (Pl. LV. fig. 6); and so is the thickening of the edge at that part. The pre- 
palatine bar remains distinct from the premaxillary and maxillary (figs. 1 & 2). 
The sides of the broad part of the palatines are much steeper than in the Corvide ; 
the sulcus between the side and the interpalatine edge is deeper: and the interpalatine 
* T have very long been familiar with the peculiarities of the passerine palate; but my recent paper, in the 
Monthly Microscopical Journal (Noy. 1872), on the Crow’s skull is the first matter published by me directly on 
this subject. 
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