SYNOPSIS OF THE FOSSIL FORMS. 



There is at present no satisfactory evidence of the existence of Birds in this 

 country earlier than tlie Cretaceous period. The footprints in the sandstone of 

 the Connecticut Valley, which have been attributed to Birds, were prol:)ably all 

 made by Dinosaurian Reptiles. 



The species which have been described from the Cretaceous formation are nearly 

 all known only from fragmentary remains. Those from the Tertiary and Post- 

 tertiary are generally represented by better preserved specimens. 



The following synopsis has been revised by the accomplislied palaeontologist 

 who has described nearljr all the known species. Through his courteous atten- 

 tions, the list has been completed to the date on which these pages go to press. 

 This first connected account of the Extinct Birds of North America will unques- 

 tionably be very largely supplemented by future discoveries. Work in this field 

 of research was never more activeljr and successfully prosecuted than at present, 

 and new species are almost continually being brought to light. 



PICARI^. 



UINTOENIS LUCABIS Marsh. 



American Journal of Science, iv, 259. Oct., 1872. 



This bird was about as large as a robin, and apparently related to the 

 Woodpeckers. The only known remains are from the' Lower Tertiary 

 formation of Wyoming Territory. They are preserved in the museum of 

 Yale College. 



RAPTORES. 



AQUILA DAWANA Marsh. 



American .Joui'nal of Science, ii, 125. August, 1871. 



This species was nearly as large as the Golden Eagle (A. chri/saetos) . 

 The only known remains were found iu the Pliocene of Nebraska, and are 

 now in the Yale museum. 



BUBO LEPTOSTEITS Marsh. 



American Journal of Science, ii, 126. August, 1871. 



A species about two-thirds as large as the Great Horned Owl (B. virgin- 

 ianus). The remains were discovered iu the Lower Tertiary beds of 

 Wyoming, and are also iu the Yale museum. 



GALLING. 



MELEAGRIS ANTIQUUS Marsh. 



American Journal of Science, ii, 126. August, 1871. 



This species was nearly as large as the Wild Turkey {M. gaUopavo) . 



The remains representing it were found iu the Miocene of Colorado, and 



are preserved iu the Yale museum. 



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