PEOF. W. K. PAEKBR ON .EGITHOGNATHOUS BIRDS. 333 



There is in Lanius, as in Gpnnorhina (PI. LX. fig. 5), a tendency to iill-in the hard 

 palate ; for the maxillary keeps a good width behind its maxillo-palatine process, and, 

 indeed, forms the rudiment of another and similar palatine spur. The pars plana 

 (figs. 5 & &,p-p) has the concave outline, externally, of the FormicariidaB ; but the first 

 and fifth nerves have separate passages (i & 5'). There is no separate os uncinatum; 

 but the lacrymal is moderately developed. Here also there is a curious gradation ; for 

 in Elainea (fig. 2, 1) it is large and corvine and is seen above, in the young Lanhis 

 (fig. 6, 1) it is much reduced in size, and in the old bird (fig. 5, 1) it is still smaller. 

 Here we see that an " investing " bone, which has a very precarious existence in the 

 great group " Coracomorphse," and is never full-sized except in a most exceptional 

 form, becomes partly absorbed during age, as if to reduce it to the general level of these 

 particular types. 



Several Celebesian passerines claim attention now ; they stand on the same general 

 level as our familiar genus Lanius : some of these lean, however, more to the Crow- 

 side ; and others look towards the Birds of Paradise. Two types from that island have 

 already been described, namely Hyloterpe (PI. LVIII. figs. 3 & 4) and Artamus (PI. 

 LVIII. figs. 1 & 2) ; my next instance, namely Bicrurus, seems to be almost equally 

 related to the Shrikes, Wood-Swallows, and Crows : the ornithologists shall set me right, 

 and place it where they list amongst these types. 



Example 19. Bicrurus leucops. 



Habitat. Celebes. Section " Oscines," Miiller ; family " Sylviidse." 



This genus comes very close to the last {Lanius) ; but there are some very interesting 

 differences \ 



The basitemporal and parasphenoidal regions are quite corvine (PL LVIII. fig. 5, b.t, 

 pa.s) ; the cranio-facial hinge is perfect, and is bounded by a high dividing wall of bone 

 both before and behind; that in front is the very strong, thoroughly ossified, nasal 

 septum (figs. 5 & 6, s. w). This bony mass is broadly alate below, as in Corvus ; and of 

 these alae the right is notched and fenestrate, and the left fenestrate. The postero- 

 inferior region is umbonate on each side behind and above the subnasal alee; these 

 bosses arise on the septum over the nasal nerve ; and the septum is partly divided behind 

 by a slanting, lanceolate fenestra, where the right and left nerves almost touch each, 

 other. 



In front the septum has a large, elongated fenestra, which re-differentiates the tra- 



' Here let me confess that I am studying these Celebesian passerines in profound ignorance of their acknow- 

 ledged zoological position as to " families," " subfamilies," and the like. These invaluable specimens belong to 

 my friend Osbert Salvia, Esq., F.E.S. ; and the spirit-specimens from which they were prepared were named 

 for him by the Viscount Walden, Pres. Zool. Soe. I am now (Dec. 5th, 1872) waiting for Mr. Salvia's help 

 in placing these birds so that they shall please the eye of the systematist. 1 mention this to show that my 

 little adjudications are unbiased. 



