SKULL OP THE ^GITHOGNATHOUS BIRDS. 281 



the epipterygoid process (e.jig) comes near that of the lower schizognathous types : 

 the spatulate fore end of the hone has evidently given off a mesopteiygoid segment 

 to the palatine ; but I see no further subdivision, as in Parus. In the latter the 

 palatines are strong and broad ; but in this bird they have a breadth and a strength 

 quite unique in the Passerines. The postpalatine keels are deep, and run into a 

 bevelled interpalatine angle {pt.pa, i.pa). The ethmo-palatine lamina above is of equal 

 extent to that below ; and together they form a broad isthmus, becoming the transpala- 

 tine {e.pa, t.jia), the outstanding angle of which is a short strong spike as in Parus ; 

 this part is steep, as in that species. Thence the base becomes gradually less oblique, 

 but does not lessen in width until we come to its anterior half; the prsepalatine is set 

 in by a blunt end into the stout, high, V-shaped rostrum {pr.pa, d.px). So far all 

 is Parine, but on a lower level. As in Parus, the rostrum is formed of the coalesced 

 prsemaxillaries and nasals, to the exclusion of the maxillaries. Moreover this mobile 

 rostrum has a good hinge above with the frontal edge, and also on the side with the 

 maxillary (figs. 3, 4). The upper hinge seems to be more perfect and Psittacine ; and the 

 lower hinges are less perfect than in Parus. The palatal process of the prsemaxillary 

 is more suppressed than in Parus, forming only the inner edge of the strong deep den- 

 tary plate (^.pa^, d.px). The median part of the rostral palate is very remarkable: 

 instead of the triangular tongue of bone there are two rounded bosses, evidently formed 

 by osseous matter from the praemaxillaries growing into the recurrent trabecular flaps ; 

 these are ankylosed to the strong bony septum nasi (s. n, tr), which does not seem to be 

 so alate as in Parus, but has much lai'ger nerve-bridges in the hinder part. These 

 wings rival what is seen in Rapacious birds. 



The fusion of the parts of the rostrum is very perfect, and the same part in Parus 

 ater looks very feeble and Sylviine beside it (fig. 4) ; its hinges, grooves, median ridge, 

 and steep dentary edges, all indicate a bird of unusual strength and " pluck " for its size — 

 strong as the strongest Finch, but fierce withal. The broad body of the maxillary {nix) 

 is twice as large as in Parus ; like that type it has very large pedunculated maxillo- 

 palatines (mx.p) ; but the stalk is coarser ; it turns inwards somewhat, and the end is 

 rounder and more clubbed ; this part is pneumatic. The maxillary passes into a strong 

 zygoma (j), which is high, just in front of its middle. 



The vomer (») is larger than in Parus ; it is broadly emarginate in front. Its body 

 has rounded sides, which draw in fore and aft ; and this part is two fifths the length 

 of the whole, the crura being long and gently converging ; they are a long while 

 distinct from the ethmo-palatines. A considerable amount of osseous deposit is seen 

 in the alinasal, and some in the inferior turbinal, at least in the nasal wall close to it 

 (fig. 4, n. w) ; the former appears in the dry skull as a bony coil inside the nostril, 

 the curtain of which is soft (fig. 4, a.tb, al.n). 



From the steepness of the head, the lateral ethmoid, with its pars pilana {e.eth, p.p), 

 is a large mass of bone : it does not project much externally ; for the frontal fore edge 



