PEOP. W. K. PAEKEE ON ^GITHOGNATHOUS BIEDS. 339 



or ecto-ethmoid (fig. 7, e.eth, ]). p), is a huge swollen mass of bone, perfectly turnidne, 

 appearing well above, externally, and below ; it sends a large kidney-shaped mass into the 

 true olfactory region (PI. LXI. fig. 8, p.p), as in Eemipodius varius and Chasmorhyn- 

 chus. There is no separate os uncinatum ; this is represented by the swollen lower 

 angle of the pars plana ; above that plate the 1st and 5th nerves pass through a large 

 common opening. The lacrymal (fig. 8, I) is small ; it has a high position, as in the 

 Starling. 



The intermediate position of this bird is self-evident ; and it is also clear that the 

 ascent, by metamorphosis, does not take place equally in all parts, but that some in one 

 thing, some in another, become specialized and improved into nobler races and species. 

 Moreover the existence of the proper organs for any special function in the life of the 

 bird does not show that they are used for that purpose ; else why does not the Sparrow 

 sing? Pachycephala comes closer to Elainea than to Lanius. 



It is no easy task to be a morphologist pure and simple whilst discussing the characters 

 of the next type — the " Bird of Paradise." I shall endeavour to speak soberly, although 

 treating of so beautiful a bird. 



Example 26. Paradisea papuana. 



Habitat. New Guinea. Group " Oscines," Miiller ; family " Paradiseidse." 



That which is peculiar to the bird's skull, namely ankylosis of part with part until 

 nearly every land-mark has been removed, here attains its fullest possible extent, an 

 extent only conditioned by the necessities of motion in certain parts of the face (PI. LXII. 

 figs. 2-4). 



Setting aside for the time all side-relationships, I should place the Bird of Paradise 

 in a position almost exactly intermediate between the true Crow of the Old World 

 and the Piping Crow of Australia ; its morphology and its geographical distribution 

 agree alike with this view. 



Yet the Malayan types just described, from Celebes, must be kept in mind ; for anv 

 bird that should be like an exact cross between a Piping and a Common Crow, would 

 not be a Paradisea. 



The pterygoids (PI. LXII. fig. 2, pg) are straight, strong, and have a flat, short 

 hamular process ; they articulate by a moderately laminar process with the posterior 

 end of the palatine, the mesopeterygoid part of which (fig. 4, ms.pg) is small. The 

 basipterygoid processes are absent from the rostrum [pa.s), which appears for a long 

 distance along the mid line between the palatines and vomerine forks. The hinge is 

 perfect ; and in front of it the septum nasi (figs. 2 & 3, s. n) is solid bone, and very thick 

 where the nasal nerves pass ; this solid wide-winged part is seen in the front of the 

 vomer {v). The rest of the septum still keeps its rounded inferior edge, the bony alae 

 on each side belonging to the "alinasal floor" {n.f), which, like the recurrent lamina 

 in front, is one continuous mass with the surrounding facial bones. 



2 z 2 



