PICI 197 



The syrinx is shown in the figure on p. 61 (fig. 40). The 

 trachea at its lower end is formed into a bony box by a fusion 

 of several rings ; the first bronchial semi-ring, to which 

 the single pair of intsinsic muscles are attached, is larger 

 than those which follow. The miiscular anatomy, excepting 

 for minute details, is the same ; one of these small details 

 is that the pectoral slip to the tensor patagii is muscular 

 and npt tendinous. 



The skull is segithognathous ; the vomer is forked in 

 front and joins the separated maxillo-palatines, as in 

 Megalmma asiatica ; but Gaerob has remarked upon the 

 fact that in this character (the widely separate maxillo- 

 palatines) the palate of Indicator is more like that of the 

 Picidse than are the Capitonidse. 



ALCEDINES 



Definition. — Aftershaft absent. Muscle formula of leg, AX. Cseoa 

 absent. Both, carotids present. SkuU desmognathoua. 



The kingfishers form a natural assemblage of birds — 

 Aleedinidae — which, however, shqw some variations in their 

 structure. 



Thus, while they generally agree with the bulk of their 

 xelations in having a characteristically tufted oil gland, 

 the genus T any sifter a (three species at any rate) has a nude 

 oil gland. In this genua too the rectrices are ten, twelve 

 being the more usual numbef . 



As to pterylosis, the kingfishers are characterised by the 

 possession of down feathers not only on the pterylse but 

 also on the apteria. There is a difference between Alceda 

 and Dacelo in that the latter has a weak dorsal tract in the 

 middle region of the back, it being stronger in front and 

 ■ again near the oil gland. In Alcedo the tract is of uniform 

 •strength throughout. The kingfishers, like the swifts, 

 sometimes possess and sometitoes do not possess the fifth 

 cubital remex. 



In Dacelo gigantea there are fifteen cervical vertebrae ; 

 and only three ribs reach the sternum. In Dacelo Gaudi- 



