258 MR. W. P, PYCRAFT ON THE 5h [ Mar. 17, 
3. Contributions to the Osteology of Birds. 
Part VI. Cuculiformes By W. P. Pycrart, F.Z.8., A.LS. 
— [Received March 17, 1903. ] 
(Plate XXII.’ & Text-figures 43-48.) 
CoNnTENTS. 
i. Introductory Remarks, p. 258. vii. The Pelvic Girdle, p. 280. 
ii. The Skull of the Adult, p. 258. vill. The Pectoral Limb, p. 283. 
iii. The Skull of the Nestling, p. 268. ix. The Pelvic Limb, p. 284. 
iv. The Vertebral Column, p. 271. x. Summary, p. 286. 
v. The Ribs, p. 274. xi. Key to the Osteology of the 
vi. The Sternum and Shoulder-girdle, Cuculiformes, p. 288. 
p. 275. xil. Explanation of the Plate, p. 291. 
1. InrRopUCTORY REMARKS. 
Although numerous contributions to the osteology of the 
Cuculiformes have been made during the last quarter of a 
century, the present paper claims to be the most comprehensive 
survey of the group from this point of view which has yet been 
made. Nevertheless, much remains to be done before our know- 
ledge is anything like complete on this subject. How much, may 
be gathered from the fact that out of 45 generally recognised 
genera of the Family Cuculide, only 20 are represented in the 
osteological collections of the British Museum, and this appears to 
be the largest collection of the group extant. Of the 6 genera of 
the Family Musophagide, only 2 are represented in our series. 
1, THE SKULL OF THE ADULT. 
The skull of the Cuculiformes recalls, on the one hand—through 
the Cuculi—the skulls of certain Coraciiformes, e. g. Coracude 
and Buccones; and on the other—through the Musophagi—the 
skull of the aberrant Galliform Opisthocomus. 
Nevertheless the Cuculiform skull may at all times be readily 
distinguished, and by the following characters :— 
The pterygoid is always free, and articulates with the palatine 
—after the fusion of the hemipterygoid—by a more or less 
obliquely transverse joint; the lachrymal is always present and 
free; the antorbital plate (prefrontal) is large, and generally (if 
not always) bears an os uncinatum; the vomer is vestigial or 
wanting; the palate is indirectly desmognathous ; basipterygoid 
processes are wanting ; and the postorbital processes are small and 
inconspicuous, never extending down to the level of the quadrato- 
jugal bar, 
The skull of the Musophagi may always be readily distinguished 
from that of the Cuculi by the fact that the mesial borders of 
1 For Part V., see P. Z. S. 1902, vol. i. p. 277. 
2 Hor explanation of the Plate, see p. 291. 
