1905. ] MR. R. I. POCOCK ON A HAINAN GIBBON. 169 
Glareola and Thinocorus are like Scolopax, but have a slip to the 
great toe. Vanellus and Gallinago are exactly like Scolopas: ; 
Charadrius and Himantopus are also identical with it, except 
that there is no great toe. 
The conditions of these tendons in Limicole are similar and 
much alike, being not far removed from the condition that I 
take to be archecentric or primitive for Birds. But in the group 
there is a tendency to lose or reduce the great toe, and that 
loss or reduction has produced modifications which are similar 
in character and very easy to derive from the primitive type. 
SUMMARY. 
With the exception of Mdicnemus, the Limicoline birds 
examined, so far as relates to the characters dealt with, show a 
definite and coherent series of modifications. The group is 
moving, or has moved, along the same anatomical lines. The 
limits of its variations overlap in a special way the variations 
displayed by Gulls, and in a general way those exhibited by 
Gruiform birds. 
REFERENCES. 
(1) Bepparp, F. E.—The Structure and Classification of Birds. 
1898. 
(2) Forprincer, M.—Untersuchungen zur Morphologie und 
Systematik der Vogel. 1888. 
(3) Gavow, H.—‘“ Aves” in Bronn’s Thierreich. 
(4) Mrroneii, P. Coatmers.—“ Quintocubitalism in the Wing of 
Birds.” Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. vol. xxvii. p..237. 
(5) Mrrcnetn, P. Cuatmers.—“‘ Anatomy of Kingfishers.” The 
libris; SON p. 9%: 
(6) Mircuett, P. Coatmers.—“ On the Intestinal Tract of Birds.” 
Trans. Linn. Soc. ser. 2, Zool. vol. viii. p. 173. 
(7) MircHEett, P. Coatmers.—“ On the Anatomy of Gruiform 
Birds.” Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1901, vol. ii. p. 629. 
6. Observations upon a Female Specimen of the Hainan 
Gibbon (Hylobates hainanus), now living in the Society’s 
Gardens. By R. I. Pococs, F.L.S., F.Z.8., Super- 
intendent of the Gardens. 
[ Received May 16, 1905. ] 
(Plate V.*) 
Age at Maturity. 
On Jan. 26, 1904, the Society received on deposit a female 
specimen of the Hainan Gibbon, the property of Mr. E. H. de 
* For explanation of the Plate, see p. 180. 
