156 DR. p. CHALMERS MITCHELL OK THE [May 16, 



quill than to the most distal secondary-quill in most Limicolae, 

 but the position varies, and that shown in the diagram is more 

 primitive. As evidence of their association Avith the secondary 

 series, there is to be taken into account first the fact that the 

 covei^t crosses the remex as in the secondary rows, not lying distal 

 to it as in the primaries, and, secondly, that a plica (pi.), to 

 which I have called attention in other groups (4 and 5), unites the 

 carpal remex with the most distal secondary remex. 



Text-fie-. 23. 



5 



Wiug-stvucture of CJiionis alha. 



Diagram of the distal secondaiy quills and coverts, 



showing the diastata.vie arrangement. ' 



S. First secondary. P. First primarj'. x. Diastataxic gap. C.R. Carpal remex. 

 C.C. Carpal covert. PI. Plica, binding carpal covert to first secondary. 



The condition of the wing in the Limicolje is similar to that 

 found in the gi'eater number of the Columbfe, bvxt whereas in some 

 Colvunba^ (4) the eutaxic condition is found — or, as I have tried 

 to show, has been attained, — it has not been attained by any of 

 the Limicolie. In the Gruiformes, a somewhat incoherent group 

 certainly closely related to the Charadriiformes, both conditions 

 of the wing are present (7). 



Gut-patterns in" the Limicol^. : 



I have already shown (6) that the pattern of the gut in Limicoloe 

 is of considerable interest. It displays a configuration which 

 differs from the pattern which is archecentric for all birds in a 

 fashion similar to the divergence shown by the Gruiform birds, 



