190 



MR. J. G. GOODCIIILD ON THE 



[Apr. 0, 



blade of a lancet closes into its sheath. The feature referred to can 

 be better understood by reference to C, figure 8, taken from a living 

 specimen of Calopsitta novae-hollandia, which represents the style 

 prevailing throughout probably the whole of the Psittaci. 



Essentially the same pattern as is found in the Psittaci prevails 

 also throughout the whole of the Striges, and also throughout the 

 whole of the Accipitres, with the exception of Pernis, Fandion, 

 Gypogeranus, and the Cathartidse. These exceptional forms will be 

 referred to again in their proper places. Fig. 9, representing the wing 



Fig. 9. 



Fig. 9 a. 



Falco. 



Phalacrocorax. 



of a Merlin, well illustrates the whole of the normal Accipitrine forms. 

 Mr. Wolf's beautiful figures of the Birds of Prey all afford excellent 

 illustrations of the same point, while, from a part of the world 

 where experience has led us to expect minute accuracy of detail, we 

 have the Japanese figure in metal of a species of Spizaetus, now 

 amongst the choicest treasures at South Kensington Museum, which 

 affords a correct illustration of the Accipitrine style of cubital coverts. 

 Of the Pelicans, in the present connection, nothing satisfactory can 

 be made out, on account of the lax and drooping condition of their 

 feathers, even in health. But Phalacrocorax (fig. 9 a) gives us a 

 style hardly distinguishable in any noticeable respect from that of 

 the Accipitrines. On the other hand, Fregata, Su/a, Plotus, and 

 some other forms associated with them are widely removed, ptero- 

 graphically, from the Cormorants. 



All the Herons and their immediate allies, Nycticorax (fig, 10), 

 Botaurus, and, I believe, also Cancroma, closely follow the 

 Accipitrine mode of imbrication. The principal difference lies 

 in the reduced prominence of the supplementary row of lancet-like 

 feathers (upper wing-coverts) so characteristic of the Birds of Prey 

 and the Parrots. Healthy Night-Herons in immature plumage 

 exhibit the Ardtine style of median cubital coverts remarkably well. 



The Ciconiidse, in regard to the point under notice, will fall to be 

 described in another part of this paper. 



