312 DB. ai. GEOR©E MIVABT ON THE SKELETON OF [Apr. 2, 



him six specimens from the Caucasus, all of which agreed closely 

 inter se in the characters given, in which this species differs from the 

 other two species of Pied Flycatchers. I have in my own collection 

 a fine adult male of M. semitorquata from Turkey, obtained many 

 years ago by the late Mr. Eobson ; and on examining the series in 

 the British Museum, I find that the specimens from Fao on the 

 Persian Grulf, Bushire, and Persia are referable to this species, and 

 not to M. atricapilla nor to M. collaris. It would therefore appear 

 that M. atricapilla does not range further east than Turkey nor 

 M. collaris than Asia Minor, being replaced east of those countries 

 by Musciccqm semitorquata. 



In conclusion I may add that Dr. Eadde has also sent me several 

 Long-tailed Titmice from Lenkoran and Tiflis, all of which are 

 undoubtedly referable to Acredula caucasica and not to A. caudata. 



5. The Skeleton of Lorius flavopalliatus compared with that 

 of Psittacus erithacus. — Part I. By St. George Mivart^ 

 F.R.S. 



[Eeeeived March 25, 1895.] 



In a former paper, read on March 5, 1895, 1 described the hyoid 

 bones of certain Parrots and, amongst them, compared those of 

 Lorius Jlavopalliatus with the same parts in Psittacus erithacus, 

 having taken the latter as my type and standard of comparison. 



The admirable works of Professor Alphonse Milne-Edwards on 

 the Fossil Birds of Prance and on the Osteology of the Psittaci do 

 not contain figures or descriptions of any species of Loriidce, and 

 the same must be said of Bronn's ' Thierreich ' and (with a quite 

 insignificant exception) of Piirbringer's magnificent publication 

 in two folio volumes. 



Such being the case, I have thought it worth while to describe 

 in some detail the axial skeleton of a species of that interesting 

 family which may possibly represent a more or less primitive form 

 of the whole Order. 



I have selected for description the skeleton of Lonus Jlavo- 

 palliatus, the means so to do having been furnished me by this 

 Society through the courtesy of oiir Prosector, Mr. F. Beddard, 

 F.E.S. For the pm-pose of comparison with the skeleton of 

 Lonus, I have again chosen that of the type of the order Psittaci, 

 namely Psittacus erithacus ; and I have to thank the late President 

 of the Linnean Society, Mr. Charles Stewart, Hunterian Professor, 

 for the loan of a skeleton of that species, and also Mr. Beddard 

 for a spirit-specimen, the bones of which have been prepared for 

 me by Mr. Ockenden with his wonted skill. 



The Csbvicai/ Vebtebb^. 



The atlas in L. Jluvopalliatus (fig. 1) has its pseudocentrum dis- 

 tinctly and largely perforated towards the dorsal part of its articular 



