Such a considerable relative length of gut occurs also in Loxia and Coccothraustes, 

 and is even surpassed by Pinicola. About 2 centim. from the anus are two very small 

 rudimentary cseca. The proportion of the right to the left lobe of the liver is 

 2 :1. 



The palatine region of the skull exhibits the features usual in the Fringillidse ; the 

 various subfamilies and even genera of these birds show, however, so many considerable 

 differences from each other, that the examination of a given type cannot reveal any 

 binding characters. According to the late Professor W. K. Parker, who is the 

 authority " on the skull of the segithognathous birds," the palatine bones are not 

 united with each other in the medio-ventral line in the Emberizine section of the 

 Fringillidas (e. g. Emberiza, Phrygilus, Plectrophanes lapponicus) nor in Icterus. On 

 the other hand, in the true Fringillinae (e. g. Linaria, Estrilda, Coccothraustes) the 

 two palatine bones are broadened above the sphenoid bone into one continuous bony 

 plate, which being also fused with the posterior end of the vomer, forms a single 

 interpalatine plate. This is the case in Psittacirostra and in Loxioides, the latter of 

 which much resembles Pyrrhula in the configuration of its palatine region ; anteriorly 

 the jugal bones are quite fused with the palatines ; the maxillo-palatines are hollow, 

 as in many Fringiilidas, and (as a special feature) posteriorly almost touch the 

 interpalatine spurs. 



Summary. — Loxioides bailleui is a member of the Fringillidae, and approaches the 

 genera Loxia, Coccothraustes, and Pyrrhula. 



PSITTACIEOSTEA PSITTACEA. (PI. I. %S. 17-20.) 



Pill like that of Loxioides. 



Nostrils oval or kidney-shaped, surrounded by soft coriaceous tissue, which is naked 

 and forms a small swollen flap, partly overhanging them from above. The internasal 

 septum is complete, although cartilaginous only, as in Loxioides. This character, 

 however, is of no importance owing to the variable condition of the septum in different 

 genera ; in Coccothraustes, for instance, the septum is thick and completely ossified. 

 Considerable variations occur also in the lacrymal region, rendering futile in this 

 respect any attempt to compare Psittacirostra with other birds which are not Fringilline. 



Tongue shorter than the bill, very slightly protractile, rather thick, hard, and horny, 

 tapering out towards the tip, and while differing considerably from the tongue of 

 Loxioides, nevertheless truly Fringilline. 



Pterylosis almost entirely like that of Loxioides. Primary remiges ten in number ; 

 the tenth or terminal quill is, however, very slender and short, and completely covered 

 by the upper covert. The tip of the wing is formed by the eighth and seventh quills, 

 the ninth equals the sixth in length. The secondaries and the tail-feathers are like 

 those of Loxioides. 



Metatarsus covered in front by six or seven transverse scales, laterally and medially 

 with one long scute. 



