288 . MR. W. P. PYCRAFT ON THE © [Mar. 17, 
which descends so as to lie between and force apart the maxillo- 
palatine, causing the palate to be indirectly desmognathous. In 
Turacus the nasal septum fuses with the dorsal borders of the 
maxillo-palatine, and does not descend between them, but in this 
case also the palate is indirectly desmognathous. In both Coua 
and Juracus, but for the septum, the palate would be schizo- 
gnathous. But the maxillo-palatine region in Schizorhis, for 
example, is practically identical with that of normal Cucull. 
Coua has the least specialised palate among the Cuculi; Z’uracus 
among the Musophagi. In the more specialised skull of both 
groups indirect desmognathism appears to have taken place by the 
descent of the ventral border of the septum nasi between the 
maxillo-palatine processes; resulting in the formation of a flat 
palatal surface, or one with a slight median groove. 
The very striking differences in the form of the pelvic girdle 
stand in strong contrast with the uniformity found in the skull. 
How considerable these differences in the girdle are may be seen 
in the figures on pp. 277, 280, and 282. 
Finally, I may remark that a great deal yet remains to be done 
before our knowledge of the Osteology of this group is complete. 
Of the nestling skeleton of the Musophagi we know nothing, and 
only a very little concerning the early stages of the Cuculi. 
Only about one-third of the total number of genera of Cuculi 
are represented in the Museum Collection of skeletons. These, 
however, fortunately, include all the more important forms. 
xi, Key TO THE OsrEOLOGY OF THE CUCULIFORMES. 
A. SKULL. 
Palate desmognathous, and without conspicuous anterior palatal vacuity ; nostrils 
holorhinal, imperforate ; basipterygoid processes wanting; vomer vestigial or 
wanting; pterygoid free; lachrymal free; antorbital plate large; the postorbital 
process never extending down to the quadrato-jugal bar. 
A. Mesial border of palatines not meeting in middle line, leaving parasphenoidal 
rostrum exposed; with a large os uncinatum .................. MusorPuHaaGi. 
B. Mesial border of palatines meeting in middle line below and concealing para- 
ONS AGC SRO SADT, “|. ooo sca coosem ons cedooncasonsedoassoosseeoodssese CWCKN 
Key to the Genera of Cuculide. 
a. Beak long and pointed. : 
a’. Lachrymal with massive descending process; nostrils linear near the middle 
of the tomium ; temporal fossz confined to lateral aspect of skull. 
Geococcyx. 
2’. Lachrymal very small ; temporal fossee meeting one another to form a broad 
GAYS GREE, Gos ous coblseboc Sone aupdansercsnser bed concobosr cannounae | | MMOMROMACTR 
b. Beak with a high median keel; lachrymal large ............ Crotophaga. 
c. Beak swollen, with an arched culmen. 
ce’. Palatines fused in median line posteriorly .................. ° Seythrops. 
d’. Palatines free posteriorly. 
a’. Nostrils linear immediately above toinium ; postorbital process of lachry- 
TIENEN Eat ReR nhs net uoniice dob poseennidabe sa HeaBAUres Hocecroncaua a: Rhamphococcyx. 
b’’, Nostrils oval immediately above base of tomium, and bounded above or 
confluent with a conspicuous fenestra; postorbital process of lachrymal 
Sina yl a eee cters eae else cine teitssenencmmntereacer ems Rhinococeyx. 
