1899.] 



CEAKIAL OSTEOLOGY OF THE PARROTS. 



31 



deep, the squamosal large but shallow. The pai'occipital wings 

 are contmuous with the basitemporal ridges. The ridge running 

 t'rcm the supra-occipital region to the outer and posterior margin of 

 the paroccipital process, and separating the posterior from the 

 lateral aspect of the skull, takes a somewhat sinuous course 

 forwards behind the ear, so as to leave between it and the border 

 of the meatus a much narrower interspace than in Psittacus and 

 Eclectus ; the same is true also of Conurus. The quadrate is very 

 similar to that of Conurus. Descending processes are not present 

 on the hinder border of the maxillas. There is a small mandibular 

 fenestra. 



Pig. 24. 



Caica mclanocefhala. 

 Fig. 25. 



Quadrate bone of Ccdca melanoce^hala. 



Fie. 26. 



Fceocephalus fuscicapiUus. 



The skull of Pionus is very similar. The interspace between 

 the auditory meatus and the occipital ridge is still narrower. A 

 deeper notch separates the paroccipitals from the basitemporal 

 ridges. The shaft of the quadrate is shorter and stouter, and the 

 anterior process more reduced. 



In Pachynus, Caica, and Pceocej)7ialus the orbital ring is incom- 



