338 MR. F. E. BEDDARD ON [-^Pl*' ^•''> 



It has been stated by J. Hancock' that the vTindpipe in the male 

 (but not in all males) is convoluted, passing dov\n under the skin 

 right to the anus and then back again. This is a remarkable point, 

 as it shows an affinity with the Cranes, which are the only nearly 

 allied birds, according to Mr. Forbes's careful list ", with a similar 

 modification. It is curious that Psophia is not included in that 

 list ; I have not foimd any such modification of the trachea myself, 

 nor have I seen any MS. note to that effect of either Mr. Garrod or 

 ]\Ir. Forbes. It is evident that some particular species only shows 

 this modification. 



Tracliea of Psophia Inicoptera. 



While upon this subject I may direct attention to a paper by ^Ir. 

 T. S. Trail ■', in which it is said that the trachea communicates 

 directly with the air-space surrounding it by slit-like apertures in 

 the membrana tym])ani. In spite of the careful observations of 

 Trail, it seems to me that we are dealing here with an accidental cut. 



Viscera of Abdomen. 

 The only point to wliich I direct attention, as being of some 

 bearing upon the question of the aflanities of Psophia is the attach- 

 ment of the gizzard to the parietes and the development of the 

 omentum. I have already pointed out the necessity of taking this 

 structure into account in questions relating to the afiSnities of 

 different birds. If the comparison which I ' instituted, in part 

 following Huxley ', between this structure and a similar one iu the 

 Crocodile be just, it follows that those birds in which the omentum 

 is extensive and continuous on each side with the oblique septum 

 are relatively the most archaic forms ; while the partial suppression 

 or great reduction of this structure indicates a more modified type. 

 Arguing thus, the Cranes will have to be relegated to a very low 



' ■• Notes on the Trumpeter Bird or Waraeoli of the Arowiihs of Guiana, 

 Psophia crepifans of Linnanis," Oliarlosworth's Mag. Nat. Hi.-<t. vol. ii. 18.38, 

 p. 400. 



2 " On the Convoluted Trachea of two Species of Manueode &c.," P. Z. S. 1882, 

 p. .347. 



■' '• Observations on the liabits, appearance, iind anatomical structure of the 

 bird named the Trumpeter, Psophia crejiifatis of Linnaeus, Agami of Cuvler," 

 Mem. Wern. Soc. Ed. vol. v. (182.3) p. 523. 



' " Notes on the Visceral Anatomv of Birds. — No. 1. On the so-called Omen- 

 tum," P. Z. S. 1885, p. 836. 



'' ■' On tlie Eespiratorv Organs of Apteiy.v," P. Z. S. 1882, p. j6U. 



