COLUMB^ 309 



features of the group — the tensor brevis muscle is often very 

 extensive — in fact, overlapping the extensors of the fore arm. 

 This is the case, for instance, with Geophaps scripta, where 

 I could find no deltoid beneath it. In Ptilopus and Phaps, 

 on the other hand, a good deltoid is present, and though mainly 

 attached to the humerus is also at its extremity inserted on 

 to tendon of tensor brevis. This latter insertion is wanting 

 in many pigeons which have a long deltoid. In Erythrcenas 

 the deltoid reaches nearly to elbow. There is very often a 

 wristward slip from tendon of tensor patagii brevis, but never, 

 so far as I have ascertained, a patagial fan. 



The biceps slip appears to be always an independent 

 muscle, arising, as described above, by a thin tendon from 

 the biceps, and it frequently has a second tendon of origin, 

 as in Goura coronata. This is the case, for example, with 

 Carpophaga, Didunculus, and Phaps. It is absent in 

 Erythrcenas. 



The expansor secundariorum is very constantly present ; 

 but there are indications that it is on the wane in these birds. 

 In Phlogcenas cruentata the tendon has not the characteristic 

 T-shape that it has in other pigeons, but blends with a trian- 

 gular fibrous slip arising from the scapula near the scapulo- 

 coracoid joint. In Carpophaga paulina there is much the 

 same arrangement. In Phlogcenas Stairi the muscle appears 

 to be totally absent. 



Of the two latissimi dorsi muscles the posterior is some- 

 times wanting in pigeons.' Haswell ^ first directed attention 

 to this point, which was denied by G-adow' and Forbes, 

 but reaffirmed by Fuebein&ee. According to the last-men- 

 tioned observer its occasional absence is a matter of individual 

 variation. 



The anconceus has a tendinous insertion on to the 

 humerus. 



" And also (? occasionally) in Ot-is,Pierocles, and various passerines, according- 



to FuEBEINGEB. 



' ' The Myological Characters of the Columbidse,' Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. 

 iv. 1880, p. 303 ; ' Note on the Anatomy of Two Rare Genera of Pigeons,' ibid.. 

 vii. 1883, pp. 115, 397. 



' In his memoir upon Pterocles, quoted below, p. 315, footnote. 



