460 PROF. HUXLEY ON THK CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. [Apr. 11, 



The inferior Larynx is provided with a single pair of intrinsic 

 muscles (IDidus). 



The relations of the Peristeromorphse with the Alectoromorphse 

 are very close. On the other side they seem to be allied with the 

 Owls and the Vultures. 



I have not been able to examine, for myself, more than an incom- 

 plete skull and the feet of Opisthocomus. The phalanges of the an- 

 terior toes (leaving the ungual phalanges out of consideration) are 

 nearly equal in length. The tarso-metatarse is similar to that of 

 the Alectoromorphfe. But the extraordinary sternum, furcula, and 

 the many other peculiarities of this bird described by L'Herminier, 

 Deville, and Gervais lead me to think that it must be placed in a 

 special subdivision of the Schizognathse. 



-h- The Desmognath^, like the Schizognathse, may be without in- 

 trinsic muscles of the lower larynx, or they may possess only one 

 pair, or they may have three pairs ; but the lower larynx is never 

 constructed on the plan of that of the song-birds. 



The carotids may be double or single. 



Not fewer than seven groups of families appear to me to be clearly 

 distinguishable in this suborder, viz. the Chenomorph^, the Am- 

 PHiMORPHJE, the Pelargomorph^, the Dysporomorph^, the 

 Aetomorph^, the PsixxACOMORPHiE, and the CoccygomorphtE. 

 In addition to these undoubted Desmognathse I shall at the end of 

 this series consider the Woodpeckers under the name of Celeo- 



MORPH^*. 



-^1. The Chenomorph^e. 



The lachrymal region of the skull is remarkably long. 



The basisphenoidal rostrum has oval, sessile, basipterygoid facets, 

 like those of the Alectoromorphse. 



The flat and lamellar maxillo-palatines unite and form a bridge 

 across the palate. 



The angle of the mandible is greatly produced and recurved. 



The sternum has a single pair of notches at its truncated posterior 

 margin. 



The feet generally have a short hallux, and the anterior toes are 

 completely webbed ; but Palamedea and Anseranas are remarkable 

 exceptions to this rule. The phalanges of the anterior toes decrease 

 in length from the basal to the penultimate. 



The oil-gland is surmounted by a circlet of feathers, and the larynx 

 has no intrinsic muscles (? Palamedea) . 



-f- 2. The Amphimorphje. 



The genus Phcenicojiterus is so completely intermediate between 

 the Anserine birds on the one side, and the Storks and Herons on 



* X>}v, agoose; a^u^i, on both sides ; neXapyos, a stork; Di/sporus, a. generic 

 name applied to the gannets by llliger ; 'Aerbs, an eagle; '^rirraKos, a parrot ; 

 KoKKv^, a cuckoo; KtXeos, a woodpecker. 



