158 NASITERNIN^. 



thick and fleshy, nearly cyhndrical in shape, somewhat truncated at the 

 apex ; the upper surface "with a rather deep median sulcus running from the 

 apex to the base. Oil-gland very distinct, although small, feathered at the 

 apex. Furcula wanting. Sternum with a strong prominent crista ; the two 

 posterior foramina are well marked. 



In regard to systematic position, in my ' Monograph of Psittacidse ' 

 (vol. i. 1867, p. 321) I have placed Nasiterna amongst the Plictolophinse, or 

 Cockatoos, following in this respect Professor Schlegel (vide 'Journal fiir 

 Ornithologie,' 1861, p. 377) and Prince Buonaparte (Compt. Rend, de I'Acad. 

 1857), who based on it the subfamily Nasiterninse. 



There can be no doubt that although Nasiterna has no crest (which 

 distinguishes so much the Cockatoos), it bears, by its external characters, a 

 close relation to this group. The shape of the bill corresponds so very 

 exactly with that of the great black Cockatoos of the genus Calyptorrhynchus 

 (especially C. solandri, Temm., and C banhsi, Lath.) that, in respect of this 

 organ, Xasiterna may be considered as a very diminutive form of Calyptor- 

 rhynchus. The long pointed wings and the unusual long digits are also 

 characters peculiar to the members of the subfamily Plictolophiufe. 



Opposed to these views just named are those of Dr. Sclater, who, 

 describing the second discovered species of Nasiterna (Nasiterna pusio), gives 

 valuable remarks in regard to its systematic position. Although the 

 osteology of Nasiterna is not yet thoroughly known, Dr. Sclater, chiefly 

 in respect to the sternum, which has the usual characteristic form of that of 

 the Psittacidse, rather inclines to place Nasiterna as an aberrant form of the 

 true Parrots (Psittacinae), and does not agree with those who have placed it 

 with the Cockatoos. The latter have mostly, as Dr. Sclater points out, the 

 top of the head bare of feathers and covered by a crest of elongated plumes, 

 which rise from the front of the head. The Cockatoos have also a well 

 developed furcula, and no foramina in the posterior end of the sternum. In 

 Nasiterna the foramina are present, and the furcula is absent, which is 



