PROF. W. K. PARKER ON &GITHOGNATHOUS BIRDS. 339 
or ecto-ethmoid (fig. 7, ¢.eth, p. p), is a huge swollen mass of bone, perfectly turnicine, 
appearing well above, externally, and below; it sends a large kidney-shaped mass into the 
true olfactory region (Pl. LXI. fig. 8, p.p), as in Hemipodius varius and Chasmorhyn- 
chus, There is no separate os uncinatum; this is represented by the swollen lower 
angle of the pars plana; above that plate the 1st and 5th nerves pass through a large 
common opening. The lacrymal (fig. 8, 7) is small; it has a high position, as in the 
Starling. 
The intermediate position of this bird is self-evident; and it is also clear that the 
ascent, by metamorphosis, does not take place equally in all parts, but that some in one 
thing, some in another, become specialized and improved into nobler races and species. 
Moreover the existence of the proper organs for any special function in the life of the 
bird does not show that they are used for that purpose; e/se why does not the Sparrow 
sing? Pachycephala comes closer to Elainea than to Lanius. 
It is no easy task to be a morphologist pure and simple whilst discussing the characters 
of the next type—the “ Bird of Paradise.” I shall endeavour to speak soberly, although 
treating of so beautiful a bird. 
Example 26. Paradisea papuana. 
Habitat. New Guinea. Group “ Oscines,” Miiller; family ‘“ Paradiseide.”’ 
That which is peculiar to the bird’s skull, namely ankylosis of part with part until 
nearly every land-mark has been removed, here attains its fullest possible extent, an 
extent only conditioned by the necessities of motion in certain parts of the face (Pl. LXII. 
figs. 2-4). 
Setting aside for the time all side-relationships, I should place the Bird of Paradise 
in a position almost exactly intermediate between the true Crow of the Old World 
and the Piping Crow of Australia; its morphology and its geographical distribution 
agree alike with this view. 
Yet the Malayan types just described, from Celebes, must be kept in mind; for any 
bird that should be like an exact cross between a Piping and a Common Crow, would 
not be a Paradisea. 
The pterygoids (Pl. LXII. fig. 2, pg) are straight, strong, and have a flat, short 
hamular process; they articulate by a moderately laminar process with the posterior 
end of the palatine, the mesopeterygoid part of which (fig. 4, ms.pg) is small. The 
basipterygoid processes are absent from the rostrum (pa.s), which appears for a long 
distance along the mid line between the palatines and vomerine forks. The hinge is 
perfect ; and in front of it the septum nasi (figs. 2 & 3, s. v) is solid bone, and very thick 
where the nasal nerves pass; this solid wide-winged part is seen in the front of the 
vomer (v). The rest of the septum still keeps its rounded inferior edge, the bony ale 
on each side belonging to the “alinasal floor” (n.f), which, like the recurrent lamina 
in front, is one continuous mass with the surrounding facial bones. 
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