280 PROFESSOR W. K. PARKER ON THE 



maxillary (fig. 2, ma:) wedges in between the long and pointed dentary and palatine 

 processes of the prsemaxillary (d. px, p.px) ; the mesopterygoid ossicles are not yet 

 distinct. There is a small prickle of bone on the front of the ecto-ethmoid, looking 

 like a recently separate, but very small, lacrymal ; it most probably corresponds with 

 the larger and quite distinct bone seen in the Wagtail {Motacilla yarrelli — Plate LII. 

 fig. 8, I). 



Example 57. Skull of SutJiora bulomachus. Family Suthoridae. Group Oscines. 



Habitat. Amoy. 



As this alert and quarrelsome bird ^ has a skull which comes nearer to that of the 

 Tits than any I have yet examined, I bring it in here. The specimen was sent me 

 from Amoy by Robert Swinhoe, Esq., in the autumn of 1866. This accomplished 

 ornithologist, with the specimen, gave his views of its relations in his letter to me. I 

 append that communication in a note below ". 



The skull of Suthora is smaller, but much stronger, than that of Parus ater ; it has 

 a coarse appearance as compared with the skull of our native Titmice. The ptery- 

 goids (Plate LI. figs. 3 & 4, pg) are stronger and more sinuous than in Parus ater ; 



"British Consulate, Amoy, 

 22nd Sept., 18BC. 



- " Mt Dear Sik,— As you are great in osteology, I make no apologies for sending jou a specimen of my 

 Suthora bulomachus. It is a Formosan grass- and reed-bird ; and you wiU see a figure and description of it in 

 the July ' Ibis ' for this year. The sternum of this bird is worth examining, as it seems to me to present affi- 

 nities to those of the Garrulax group. Mr. A. Newton observes that an examination of this bird might tend to 

 throw light on the relations of CalaiyiojMlus biarmicus of Europe. This you will now have it in your power 

 to determine. It appears to me that Paradoxornis and Suthora are to GarruJax what S/Jiii.i-os is to I.ros and 

 the Brachypodidte. 



" Besides seeds, I find Suthora is extremely partial to grasshoppers. It holds the insect down with its foot, 

 while it tears it to pieces with its bQl, beginning at the eyes and head of the insect in every case. In eating 

 and tearing the insect the upper mandible seems to have an independent motion, working its tip into the inside 

 groove of the lower, which has then the appearance of being projected. It will be worth while to examine the 

 muscles of the bill, to note if they be in any way developed differently from those in cognate species. 



" I had a Suthora alive some days since, and had then the pleasure of watching closely its habits. I have the 

 specimen now in spirits. The one I send I had dried in the wind, in order the more easily to transmit it home 

 to you by letter. I should like you to subject it to a close examination, and to make a report on it either in 

 the ' Ibis' or the ' Proc. Zool. Soc' 



" If I can at any time advance your osteological labours with any special species that I have within reach, 

 pray do not spare to command me. 



" I am, my dear Sir, 



" Tours very truly, 



" ROBERT SWINHOE, 



" ir. A'. Parl-er, Esq., London." 'H.M. Consul" 



