150 MR. W. r. PYCllAFT ON THE OSTEOLOGY [Feb. 20, 



the procoracoid turns downwards to fuse with the inturned portion 

 of the acrocoracoid, thus entirely surrounding the foramen in 

 question. To the oiiter side of this procoracoid band the 

 expanded free end of the furcula is attached, the dorsal border of 

 this expansion fitting into a triangular notch in the free edge 

 of the acromion process of the scapula : this acromion process, 

 by the way, being set on in advance of the pi'ocoi-acoid band, 

 serves to further increase the length of the roof of the foramen 

 triosseum before referred to. 



In the Pittidfe the procoracoid process is wanting : the i-oofing 

 of the triosseal foramen is consequently furnished entirely by the 

 acromial process of the scapula, while its inner wall is formed 

 by the expanded foot of the furcula. This rests against the 

 acrocoracoid and altogether in front of the aci'omial process, 

 which, however, it touches by its posterior dorsal angle, and then 

 completes the triosseal foramen. 



In the Philepittidte the procoi'acoid is moderately well developed 

 and turns abruptly downwards, so as nearly to meet the acro- 

 coracoid, the gap being filled by a ligament. The acromion of 

 the scapula crosses the coracoid, so that it lies immediately over 

 the anterior border of the procoracoid. The upper end of the 

 expanded foot of the furcula is attached, partly to the acrocoracoid, 

 and partly to procoracoid and acromion of the scapula, forming 

 an extensive attachment with its anterior face. 



In the Pipridfe the procoracoid lies immediately behind the 

 a.cromial of the scapula and the expanded foot of the furcula ; 

 attached in front to the acrocoracoid, and behind to the scapula, it 

 closes in the triosseal foramen, the actual roof of which is formed 

 entirely by the scapula, the procoracoid forming a sort of pent- 

 house continuation of the roof caudad of the scapula. This 

 a.rra,ngement agrees with what obtains in the Euiylasmida?, the 

 remaining groups here dealt with, and the higher Passeres. 



vi. The Pelvic Girdle. 



The pelvic girdle diffei"S considerably among the families here 

 under consideration, the more primitive types showing a rather 

 close resemblance to the Euryltemidpe in this matter. 



In Fhilepitta this resemblance is faii-ly close, especially in so 

 far as the post-acetabular region of the innominate is concerned. 

 In front this element takes the form of a concave, conical blade, 

 which does not rise to the level of the neural spines of the 

 synsacrum, and is set oflf therefrom by the transverse processes of 

 the enclosed vertebrae ; behind the acetabulum the innominate 

 expands to form a broad dorsal plane, which terminates caudad 

 in a point opposite the transverse process of the third caudal 

 vertebra. There is no pectineal process. The ischium is con- 

 tinued backwards and downwards in the form of a narrow cui-ved 

 blade, terminating in a ti'uncated point bent sharply upon the 

 main body of the blade, thus serving to create a wide ischio- 



