280 MR. W. P. PYORAFT ON THE [Mar. 17, 
vil. THE Petyic GIRDLE. 
The pelvic girdle of the Cuculiformes, though recallmg in 
certain features that of the Coraciiformes, is yet quite distinct 
therefrom. Within the group it presents a comparatively wide 
range of form. 
Among the Cuculi, the least specialised pelves ave those of the 
smaller forms, such as Cacomantis (text-fig. 45) and Chrysococcyx. 
In Cacomantis the preacetabular region of the ilia is sepa- 
vated by a low swollen ridge formed by the centra of the lumbar 
vertebre. The dorsal border is nearly straight; the ventral, 
external, border is deeply emarginate ; the anterior border trun- 
cated and rounded, curving outwards to form a hook-shaped 
antero-ventral angle. The postacetabular region of the ilium has 
Dorsal aspect of the pelvis of Cacomantis merulinus, X 5, showing the widely 
separated preacetabular ilia, and the broad dorsal plane of the postacetabular 
region. 
a broad dorsal plane which abuts against the long and slender 
transverse processes of the vertebre. These last, by the way, are 
separated by a row of intertransverse sacral foramina, one on 
either side of the column. The dorsal plane of the postacetabular 
ilium is not produced outwards so as to overhang the ilio-ischiadic 
fissure, and its postero-external border is markedly depressed, 
not forming an upturned crest as in forms to be presently 
described. That portion of the ischium which, by its upturned 
growth, converts the obturator fissure into a foramen is very 
narrow ; below and behind the foramen the ischium is produced 
