VULTURIDJE.] OSTEOLOQIA AYIIJM. [VULTURIN.E. 



elongated oval shape ; a deep transverse impression at the junction of the nasal with 

 the frontal bones. Upper maxillaries hooked at the point, and with the margins slightly 

 waved. Palatine bones extending far backwards to their articulation with the inter- 

 articular bone, broad for their whole length, but most dilated posteriorly; the outer 

 margin of the posterior portion bent downwards; the central plates placed nearly 

 perpendicularly, triangular, with the apex pointing backwards. Interarticular bones 

 with an expanded head at their articulation with the ossa quadrata, anterior to which 

 they are contracted into a small rounded neck, from which they become gradually more 

 expanded to their junction with the palatine bones. Condyloid portions of the occipital 

 bones very highly developed. Vertebra? very strong and powerful, very broad ; the four 

 next to the atlas with the dorsal process strongly developed. 



Sternum convex ; inferior edge of the keel very much rounded, and deepest in the 

 centre ; anterior edge receding considerably behind the manubrial process, which con- 

 sists of a strong, thick, quadrate tubercle; the pectoral muscular ridges prominent. 

 Posterior margin in a young bird with two indentations, which are nearly obliterated in 

 the old one. 



Pehinal bones very strong ; the anchylosis between the sacral vertebra? and the ilium 

 marked with small punctures on the posterior portion of the pelvis ; the ilium does not 

 project far over the ischium, and the latter is placed nearly perpendicularly to the 

 former. Ischiadic foramen oval and large ; obturator foramen consisting of a narrow 

 slit extending from the extremity of the ischium to within an inch of the cotyloid 

 cavity, where it becomes suddenly enlarged and oval. 



Furculum very strong ; the rami broad, and laterally compressed for their upper halves, 

 then becoming narrower and more rounded, with a slight pointed process extending 

 nearly to the anterior edge of the keel of the sternum. 



Coracoids much expanded at both extremities and at their articulation with the 

 sternum, extending beyond its lateral margin. 



Scapula of moderate strength, falciform, with a slight depression on its external 

 surface. 



Humerus of great power, and very much expanded at its proxmal extremity ; muscular 



ridges very distinct. 



Ulna slightly triangular, at proximal extremity much enlarged. 



Badius slightly flattened on its upper surface. 



A large space between the metacarpal bones ; the hinder one flattened horizontally at 

 its distal, and perpendicularly at its proximal extremity. 



Femur with the trochanter highly developed ; the distal extremity much enlarged. 



Fibula anchylosed to the tibia for its whole length. 



Metatarsus very much excavated in front at its proximal end, with two small foramina 

 marking the divisions between the metatarsal bones ; calcaneal process of moderate size, 

 with a slight ridge continued from it down the back of the metatarsal bone for about 

 one-third of its length. 

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