232 DR. H. GADOW ON THE [Mar. 15, 



Of the 26 positive points not less than 19 are common to 

 Falconidse, Psittaci, and Coccyges. In the remaining 7 points 

 Psittaci and Falconidae agree together against Coccyges, namely 

 nestlings, downs of young and adult, fifth cubital, temporal fossa, 

 fleshy tongue, convolutions of intestines. Most of these characters 

 seem important, especially the woolly nestlings, considering that 

 Psittaci breed in holes, and agree in the convolutions in spite of the 

 totally different food. 



On the other hand, the sifting of the 14 negative characters shows 

 that in 13 of them the Parrots agree with Cuculidse or with Muso- 

 phagidse, or with both, and differ along with the Coccyges from the 

 Falconidse. The syrinx is an absolute specialization. Fuerbringer 

 remarks that powder-downs, ceroma, and beak speak for Falconidae 

 against Coccyges. Again, Psittaci and Falconidae differ greatly in 

 the formation of the furcula, in nearly the whole of the muscular 

 system, and in the bones of the wings and legs. 



Conclusion. — The Psittaci are much more nearly allied to the 

 Coccyges than to the Falconidae, and of the Coccyges the Muso- 

 phagidse are nearer than the Cuculidse because of the vegetable 

 food, ventral pterylosis, presence of aftershaft, tufted oil-gland, 

 absence of vomer, truncated mandible, and absence of caeca. 



II. Comparison of Psittaci, Coraciidce, and Coccyges, based by 

 Fuerbringer chiefly upon the pterylosis, anterior lateral pro- 

 cess of the sternum, procoracoid process, clavicular connexion, 

 hypotarsus, shortness of metatarsus, many muscles of the 

 shoulder and thigh. He observes, however, that the greater 

 number of characters is against this relationship. The com- 

 parison made by me is given in the Table now before us (see 

 p. 233). 



III. Comparison of Psittaci and Striges. 22 characters agree, 

 18 differ ; the latter are : — 



Toes. . . Striges more primitive, although ectam.phibolic. 



Downs of adult in Striges only upon apteria. 



Ventral pterylae. 



10 primaries. Striges with 11, i. e. more primitive. 



Aftershaft large. 



Tufted oil-gland. 



Desmognathous. Striges more primitive. 



Vomer. Striges more primitive. 



Basipterygoid processes. Striges more primitive. 



Temporal fossa. 



Coracoids overlapping in Striges. 



