268 



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FOWLS. 



Chap. VII. 



several other breeds examined by me. On the dorsal surface of the 

 sixth cervical vertebra in Cochins three prominent points are more 

 strongly developed than in the corresponding vertebra of the Game-fowl 

 or G. bankiva. 



Pelvis.— This differs in some few points in the several skeletons. The 

 anterior margin of the ilium seems at first to vary much in outline, but 

 this is chiefly due to the degree to which the margin in the middle part is 

 ossified to the crest of the spine ; the outline, however, does differ in beino- 

 more truncated in Bantams, and more rounded in certain breeds, as in 

 Cochins. The outline of the ischiadic foramen differs considerably, beino- 

 nearly circular in Bantams, instead of egg-shaped as in the Bankiva, and 

 more regularly oval in some skeletons, as in the Spanish. The obturator 

 notch is also much less elongated in some skeletons than in others. The 

 end of the pubic bone presents the greatest difference ; being hardly en- 

 larged in the Bankiva ; considerably and gradually enlarged in Cochins, 

 and in a lesser degree in some other breeds; and abruptly enlarged in 

 Bantams. In one Bantam this bone extended very little beyond the ex- 

 tremity of the ischium. The whole pelvis in this latter bird differed 

 widely in its proportions, being far broader proportionally to its length 

 than in Bankiva. 



Sternum.— This bone is generally so much deformed that it is scarcely 

 possible to compare its form strictly in the several breeds. The shape of 



the triangular extremity of the lateral 

 processes differs considerably, being 

 either almost equilateral or much 

 elongated. The front margin of the 

 crest is more or less perpendicular and 

 varies greatly, as does the curvature of 

 the posterior end, and the flatness of 

 the lower surface. The outline of the 

 manubrial process also varies, being- 

 wedge-shaped in the Bankiva, and 

 rounded in the Spanish breed. The 

 furcula differs in being more or less 

 arched, and greatly, as may be seen in 

 the accompanying outlines, in the shape 

 of the terminal plate ; but the shape of 

 this part differed a little in two skeletons 

 of the wild Bankiva. The coracoids pre- 

 sent no difference worth notice. The 

 scapula varies in shape, being of nearly 

 uniform breadth in Bankiva, much 

 broader in the middle in the Polish 

 fowl, and abruptly narrowed towards 

 the apex in the two Sultan fowls. 



I carefully compared each separate 

 bone of the leg and wing, relatively to 

 the same bones in the wild Bankiva, in the following breeds, which 

 I thought were the most likely to differ; namely, in Cochin, Dorking 



Fig. 33.— Extremity of the Furcula, of 

 natural size, viewed laterally. A. Wild 

 Gallus bankiva. B. Spangled Polish 

 Fowl. C. Spanish Fowl. D. Dorking 

 Fowl. 



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