158 



DR. P. CHALMERS MITCHELL 0-\ THE 



[May 16, 



almost atrophied in the more specialised types of gut-patteni— 

 as, for instance, in Hydrojyhasianus (text-fig. 25, C). 



With regard to these two features of their structure, the con- 

 ditions of which in Birds generally are pretty well known, the 

 position of the Limicolte is easy to define. In wing-structure they 

 are diastataxic, like all but the most specialised Columbfe, and like 

 many of the Gruiformes. In the gut-pattern they are not much 

 modified from the archecentric condition, but the modification is 

 definite, characteristic, and progressive, and, in its simpler form, 



Text-fie-. 25. 



Diagram of intestinal pattern of Mydropliasianus cliirurgus. 

 Lettering as in text-fig. 24. 



similar to that shown by the Gruifoi-mes. In the more specialised 

 types the elongation and spiral twisting of a portion of Meckel's 

 diverticulum brings about a supei'ficial resemblance with the 

 arrangement in the long-gutted Columbfe and Passeres, but the 

 morphological condition is difterent, as a different portion of 

 the intestinal tract is affected. I shall now endeavour to set 

 out the chief modificatioxis in muscular anatomy that I have found 

 to be of interest in these birds. 



Muscular Anatomy. 



Latisshnus dorsi anterior et posterior. — The anterior division in all 

 these bii'ds is a broad flat muscular strap, without any peculiarities. 



