620 SHUFELDT—OSTEOLOGY OF THE WOODPECKERS,  [0ct. 5, 
processes are long and pointed, and the keel is usually rather shal- 
low, projecting forward and carried up under the manubrial process. 
The sternum is usually quite completely pneumatic. 
27. In the pelvis we find the ilia gradually diverging from the 
sacral crista as they pass forward. Parial interdiapophysial fora- 
mina are either very minute or entirely absent. Ischial notch on 
the posterior margin of the bone long, rounded and _ shallow. 
Acetabule large, and bases completely absorbed. Sides of pelvis 
usually very deep. Postpubic siender, extends beyond ischium, the 
foot of which latter may or may not fuse with it. Obturator space 
large, and may or may not merge with the obturator foramen. 
Three of the vertebree of the sacrum anteriorly throw out their 
processes against the ventral iliac walls. The pleurapophysial and 
transverse processes of the sacral vertebree opposite the acetabulze 
are not modified and lengthened so as to act as braces at the points 
in question. ‘The pelvis is commonly completely pneumatic. 
28. Bones of the shoulder-girdle pneumatic, with sometimes the 
exception of the os furcula. This latter is of the U-shaped pattern, 
without hypocleidium ; large, flat, scapulo-coracoidal ends (which 
originate from separate ossific centres in the young), and with lat- 
erally compressed limbs. Posterior end of scapula more or less 
modified to be bent or to curl outward, giving the bone a very 
unique form. Coracoids long, not very stout, and with the ante- 
rior end more or less laterally compressed. 
29. An os humero-scapulare present at either shoulder-joint ; 
functional, and has much the same shape as the ossicle has in the 
Passeres. 
30. Either the humerus alone, or it together with the long bones 
of the antitrachium, may be pneumatic. A small sesamoid is found 
at the elbow. Seven prominent osseous papillz occur, at nearly 
equal distances apart, down the shaft of the ulna. The flat, 
rounded process from the postero-upper third of the shaft of index 
metacarpal is present. ‘The slender last metacarpal extends below 
the one of index, and its free digital joint is /axger than either of 
the other terminal phalanges. The proximal phalanx of index 
digit has its posterior blade almost entirely aborted. There are 
no claws. 
31. Femur is always pneumatic, and so may be the tibio-tarsus 
in some species. In the former, trochanter major does not rise 
above the summit of the shaft; the excavation on the head is very - 
