448 MR. W. A. FORBES ON THE [May 16, 
(5) In the very slight development of the ascending plates of the 
palatines, well represented in the other group. 
(6) In the small amount of ossification in the interorbital septum, 
this, in the Motmots, being nearly entirely osseous. 
(7) In the shape of the sternum, this having four distinct and 
deep notches (the outer pair being far the larger) never converted 
into foramina, and separated by delicate xiphoid processes. In the 
Motmots the inner pair at least (Hylomanes), but usually both 
(Momotus, Baryphthengus, Eumomota) are converted into smallish 
foramina. 
(8) In the tendency to bifurcation of the manubrium sterni. 
(9) In possessing 8 sacral and 7 caudal vertebrae, as opposed to 
11 and 6 in the Momotidee’. 
(10) In the oil-gland having a large tuft of plumes on its apex, 
this being quite or almost altogether absent in the Momotide. 
(11) In the better development of the rictal and mandibular 
vibrissze. 
(12) In the ocreate tarsus, which is very long, whereas in the 
Momotide it is transversely scutellated and short. 
(13) In the much greater syndactylism of the toes. 
(14) In the less development of the outer pectoral branch of the 
inferior tract, which, in Momotus at least, is given off much nearer 
the anterior margin of the breast, and diverges much more than in 
Todus. 
(15) In the shape of the tongue in the Motmots, apically frayed- 
out and brush-like, and with the lacerations of the margin directed 
forwards, not backwards. 
(16) In the possession of large and well-developed intestinal 
ceca, these being completely absent in all the Motmots. 
(17) In the triangular shape of the obturator internus, this in the 
Motmots being oval. 
(18) In the conformation of the syrinx. 
Of special points of resemblance between Todies and Motmots I 
am unaware of any that can be considered characteristic of these 
two families as a group, the points in which they do approach each 
other being equally met with in other allied birds. Thus the simple 
dorsal tract of Todus and Momotus reappears in Alcedo, as do the 
crenulated beak-margins in Merops?. Neither is the termination of 
the expansor secundariorum muscle on the teres peculiar to the two 
groups in question, as it is found, as already observed, in some King- 
fishers, as well as in Steatornis. 
The resemblance between the termination of the tensor patagit 
tendons in the two families is perhaps the best-marked feature of 
1 Tn all the Momotide I have examined (including the genera Momotus» 
Baryphthengus, and Hylomanes) this is the number of these vertebre, the total 
being 37, except Baryphthengus, which has only 36, by the reduction of its dorsal 
vertebre to 4 (C. 15, D. 4, 8. 11, Cd. 6=86). Dr. Maurie, after stating the 
number of the vertebra in the Motmots to be 36, 37, or 38, curiously enough 
gives the number characteristic of Zodus (35) as one of the characters of his group 
“Serratirostres,” in which he includes the Motmots (Ibis, 1872, p. 410)! 
? As already pointed out by Murie, Ibis, 1872, p. 398. 
