286 MR. W. P. PYCRAFT ON THE [ Mar. 17, 
x. SUMMARY. 
The isolated position of the Cuculiformes among the Coracio- 
morphe is as evident from a study of the osteology of the group 
as from other points of view. Their nearest allies, judged from 
an osteological standpoint, would appear to be the Coraciide 
(Coraciine and Leptosomatine) and Bueconide on the one hand, 
and—more remotely—the Opisthocomi on the other. Their 
relationship to the Psittaci, which is generally agreed upon, 
would, | think, never be suspected from a comparison of the 
skeletal framework. This fact is probably to be explained by the 
great amount of specialisation which the Parrots have undergone. 
Concerning the association of the Cuculiformes with the 
Bucconide, a few words of explanation are necessary. Although 
this connection has several times been made by the older orni- 
thologists, Fiirbringer appears to be the only modern systematist 
who, on anatomical grounds, takes a similar view. Gadow (8) 
regards the Bueconide as close allies of the Galbulide, placing the 
two in the same family—Galbulide. Beddard, on the other hand, 
widely separates these two forms, and I think rightly so. He 
places the Bucconidee between the Pici and the Rhamphastide, 
but remarks that this is a family which “is at present little 
known, and whose aftinities are therefore doubtful. It is only 
provisionally that I place them in the present position.” 
The claims to relationship, of the group now under consideration, 
to the Opisthocomi are, on osteological grounds, not at first sight 
very strong. <A careful study, however, of the skulls of Cuculi 
and Musophagi, and a comparison with Opisthocomus, will show 
points of agreement which suggest affinity rather than convergence. 
The Musophagi most nearly approach Opisthocomus. The pelvis 
and sternum of Opisthocomus are Cuculine. 
That the Cuculide and Musophagide are very near allies there 
can be no doubt. Indeed, the relationship between these two is 
the only relationship about which we can speak with any real 
certainty. 
According to the British Museum Catalogue of Birds, vol. xix., 
the Cuculide (suborder Cuculi) embraces 47 genera and includes 
202 species grouped under 6 subfamilies. This scheme is 
the work of Capt. Shelley. Beddard (1) recognises only 3 sub- 
families, and these, I think, will be found to meet all demands. 
Further, it is quite open to question whether even these should 
not be regarded as groups @, 6, ¢, rather than subfamilies. 
Osteologically, the Cuckoos vary far more widely in respect of 
the pelvis and sternum than in any other character. The great 
feature in the skull is the uniform plan of the palate. Trusting 
to this alone, one might divide the Cuckoos into two groups— 
Cowa in the one, and all the rest of the Cuckoos in the other: 
yet the difference in the two palates is trivial. The only other 
characters offered the systematist to choose from are the form 
of the lachrymal and temporal fossz and the shape of the beak, 
