648 R. W. SHUFELDT 
of r5 mm., measured from the median anterior point of the posterior 
one on the carina. 
A coracoid is 11 mm. long, being considerably expanded below, 
and developing a small process at its outer sternal angle. The 
bone is straight, and otherwise presents the usual passerine charac- 
LETS: 
The os furcula is of uniform caliber with respect to the clavicular 
limbs, and not especially stout. It is of the broad U-shaped 
form, with the hypocleidium (if present) not exposed. 
A scapula appears to be somewhat slender, though rather dilated 
and curved outward, distally. It has a length of about 11 mm. 
Only a part of the left kwmerus is preserved in sight, and this 
exhibits some of the effects of pressure; it presents nothing worthy 
of especial note. 
Passing to the radius and ulna of the right arm, we find them 
in a beautiful state of preservation, and in plain sight. They are 
quite straight bones, especially the u/na, which has a length of 
about 20 mm. 
Bones of manus are not sufficiently exposed to admit of examina- 
tion. 
Whether the fossil bones of this bird belonged to a species of a 
genus in the Pieroptochidae, I am not at this time prepared to say; 
though as far as the evidence goes, there is every indication that it 
did—that is, barring the present range of those birds which, with 
one exception, is South American.* However, as I found a flamingo 
among Oregon fossil birds, it should not now be a source of surprise 
were we to meet with the fossil remains of a small South American 
passerine in the Green River deposits of Wyoming; the climate 
was entirely different at that age in North America. 
It is not likely that this species belonged to any of the existing 
genera, and I have therefore created a new genus to contain it, 
«“ Pteyoptochidae: A South American Family of formicarioid passerine birds, 
typified by the genus Pteroptochus, with tracheophonous mesomyodian syrinx, taxas- 
pidean tarsi, operculate nostrils, and ten primaries; the rock wrens. They are small, 
wren-like birds of skulking habits, especially characteristic of Chile and Patagonia. 
“There are about 24 species, leading genera of which, besides the type genus, 
are Hylactes, Scytalopus, and Rhinocrypta. Some of them are known as ‘barking- 
birds’”’ (Cent. Dict., p. 4826). 
