PROF. W. K. PARKER ON GITHOGNATHOUS BIRDS. 333 
There is in Lanius, as in Gymnorhina (Pl. LX. fig. 5), a tendency to fill-in the hard 
palate; for the maxillary keeps a good width behind its maxillo-palatine process, and, 
indeed, forms the rudiment of another and similar palatine spur. ‘The pars plana 
(figs. 5 & 6, p.p) has the concave outline, externally, of the Formicariide ; but the first 
and fifth nerves have separate passages (1 & 5'). There is no separate os uncinatum; 
but the lacrymal is moderately developed. Here also there is a curious gradation; for 
in Elainea (fig. 2,1) it is large and corvine and is seen above, in the young Lanius 
(fig. 6,7) it is much reduced in size, and in the old bird (fig. 5,7) it is still smaller. 
Here we see that an “investing” bone, which has a very precarious existence in the 
great group “ Coracomorphe,” and is never full-sized except in a mest exceptional 
form, becomes partly absorbed during age, asif to reduce it to the general level of tliese 
particular types. 
Several Celebesian passerines claim attention now; they stand on the same general 
level as our familiar genus Lanius: some of these lean, however, more to the Crow 
side; and others look towards the Birds of Paradise. Two types from that island have 
already been described, namely Hyloterpe (Pl. LVIII. figs. 3 & 4) and Artamus (PI. 
LVIII. figs. 1 & 2); my next instance, namely Dicrwrus, seems to be almost equally 
related to the Shrikes, Wood-Swallows, and Crows: the ornithologists shall set me right, 
and place it where they list amongst these types. 
Example 19. Dicrurus leucops. 
Habitat. Celebes. Section “ Oscines,” Miiller; family “ Sylviide.” 
This genus comes very close to the last (Lanius); but there are some very interesting 
differences’. 
The basitemporal and parasphenoidal regions are quite corvine (Pl. LVIII. fig. 5, 0.¢, 
pa.s); the cranio-facial hinge is perfect, and is bounded by a high dividing wall of bone 
both before and behind; that in front is the very strong, thoroughly ossified, nasal 
septum (figs. 5 & 6, s.2). This bony mass is broadly alate below, as in Corvus; and of 
these ale the right is notched and fenestrate, and the left fenestrate. The postero- 
inferior region is umbonate on each side behind and above the subnasal ale; these 
bosses arise on the septum over the nasal nerve ; and the septum is partly divided behind 
by a slanting, lanceolate fenestra, where the right and left nerves almost touch each 
other. 
In front the septum has a large, elongated fenestra, which re-differentiates the tra- 
1 Here let me confess that I am studying these Celebesian passerines in profound ignorance of their acknow- 
ledged zoological position as to ‘‘ families,” ‘‘ subfamilies,” and the like. These invaluable specimens belong to 
my friend Osbert Salvin, Esq., F.R.S.; and the spirit-specimens from which they were prepared were named 
for him by the Viscount Walden, Pres, Zool. Soc. I am now (Dec. 5th, 1872) waiting for Mr. Salvin’s help 
in placing these birds so that they shall please the eye of the systematist. 1 mention this to show that my 
little adjudications are unbiased. 
