366 MK. W. p. PYCRAFT CONTRIBUTIONS [-^W- 9, 



which is relatively somewhat longer than in Edolius. The cerato- 

 and epi-bi'anchials are of moderate length. 



In Myiarchus the basi-hyal is wanting ; cerato-hyal 1 is short 

 while 2 is relatively longer than in the species just described. 

 The cerato-branchials are extremely long ; the epi-brauchials 

 unfortunately are missing. 



iii. The Vertebral Column. 



The presynsaci-al vei-tebi-se are all heterocoelous and free. 



As to the genei-al characters of these vertebi'as there is but little 

 that can be said to any purpose. The odontoid ligament is 

 ossified throughout ; hypapophyses occur on the 2-4 cervicals, and 

 extend from the eleventh cervical to the first thoracic. 



The composition of the column, however, furnishes one or two 

 interesting points. 



First, as to the cervical and thoracic regions. The last thoracic 

 vertebra has passed into the synsacrum, but, ignoring this fact 

 for the present, we may i-emark that the total number of vertebrae 

 in these two series ranges from 19 to 21. 



The last cervical bears a pair of long free-ribs, but without 

 uncinate, or sternal segments. As a rule there aie but six 

 thoracic vertebrje beai'ing long libs, and of these vertebi-se the 

 last is fused with the synsacrum, while its ribs just fail to reach 

 the stei-num, Sayornis among the Tyrannida?, howevei-, has 

 seven thoracics. The sternal segments of the 6th pair are attached 

 to the sternal segment 5, some distance above the sternum, while 

 the similar segments of the 7th pair are attached to small facets, 

 one on each rib, high up on the sternal facet of the 6th. Of 

 the seven thoracics i\\ Artamia the ribs of the 6th, pair reach 

 the sternum, ai'ticulating therewith immediately behind the 

 5th pair by a much reduced joint. The ribs of the 7th pair of 

 vertebrae are represented only by a pair of rods, almost hair-like 

 in delicacy, attached to the tip of the thoracic, and the upper third 

 of the sternal segment of the 6th ribs. 



The number of synsacral vertebrte ranges between 16 and 19 ; 

 the number of free caudal s between 6 and 8. In no case have 

 both the sacrals preserved ribs, and only rarely can traces of the 

 ribs of the 2nd sacral be fovmd. The chief numerical differences 

 may be stated as follows : — 



