180 



MR. W. K. PARKER ON STEATORNIS CARIPENSIS. [Apr. 2, 



The three metacarpals {mt.c^, mt.c^, mt.c^) form together the usual 

 main part of the manus ; the intei osseous space is large and 

 uncovered above. The single phalanx of the 1st digit {dg}) has no 

 rudiment of a second joint; the distal phalanx of the 2nd (dff.') 

 has a small seed-shaped remnant of the ungual phalanx; the penul- 

 timate or 2nd phalanx of the 2nd digit is slightly longer and also 

 narrower than the phalanx of the 1st digit. The single phalanx of 

 the 3rd digit is the least of the three ; it shows no signs of a second 

 joint. 



The oblong proximal phalanx of the 2nd digit has a slight perfo- 

 ration in its thin dilated distal part. 



Above, returning to the head of the manus, I find a considerable 

 thickening of the projecting shoulder of the 1st metacarpal. Also, 

 on the extensor face of the 2nd metacarpal (close to the top of the 

 interosseous space) there is an oval elevation 2 millim . long, due to 

 the presence in the embryo of an intercalary metacarpal (tni.c.^'). 



Also, on the flexor face of the 3rd metacarpal, above the interos- 

 seous space there is a similar but less-marked elevation, which is 

 possibly due to a rudiment of the 4th digit ; as a cartilage it is very 

 constant in several families of birds in an early stage- 

 Large as these wings are, they nevertheless suggest the idea of 

 feebleness ; thet/ are like the bones of a bed-ridden person, slender, 

 smooth, and very light ; is not this due to the extremely torpid 

 habits of the bird, which only spends a very limited time in any 

 active exercise? that exercise being simply eating. The extreme 

 fatness of this bird favours this view of the case, 



VI. The Hip-girdle and Hind Limbs. 



A few measurements will show the special form of the pelvis iu 

 this type (Plate XIX. figs. 2, 3, and Plate XX. fig. 6) ; that part 

 can now be studied as a whole — the hip-bones and sacrum together. 



This pelvis may be compared with that of Ceryle alcyon and Ca- 

 primulgus europteus ; it is most like that of the former, and has a 

 rudiment of the peculiar spur seen on the side of the pre-ilium in 

 Kingfishers ; it is very wide. 



Iu Caprimulgus and Podargus the pelvis is narrower. 



The width across the pubis, below the greatest interpubic breadth, 

 is, in Ceryle 33 millim., in Caprimulgus 23 millim., and in Stea- 

 tornis 53 millim. 



One thing to be noticed is, that whilst in many Cuculines the 

 "pre-pubic spike" is absent, e.g. in the Alcedinidae and Caprimulgidae 



