Alcedinid^e.] 



OSTEOLOGIA AVIUM. 



[Alcedin^e. 



Fam. 3. ALCEDINIDiE. 



Subfam. 1. ALCEDIN^E. 



Alcedo, Linn. 



Ispida, Linn. 



Type of Alcedinidse and AlcedinEe. 



Cranium much longer in proportion to the width than in Trogonidce or Caprimul- 

 gidce, flattened on the vertex ; impression for the masseter muscles well denned, and 

 continued backwards to the occiput; orbits with the superior edges sharp and well 

 denned, but not reflected. A large foramen on the hinder part of the orbital septum. 

 Maxillaries covering the roof of the mouth for nearly one-half the length of the head. 

 Palatine bones similar to ffarpactes, but with a long thin spine pointing backwards on 

 the exterior angles. Interarticular bones very long, slightly bent inwards in their 

 centre. Sphenoid as in Trogon. Lacrymals small, broad ; a depression between the 

 orbits ; nasal orifices of an elongated oval shape ; occipital ridge well defined, the pro- 

 tuberance small. 



Sternum similar to Trogon, but not so broad in proportion to its width, and with the 

 inferior edge of the keel less arched. 



Pelvis similar to Trogon, but with the posterior spine more strongly marked. Furcu- 

 lum without any process at the junction of the rami, which are laterally flattened, and 

 much expanded at their articulation with the coracoids, which are similar to Trogon. 

 Scapula flattened, deflexed at the tip, not cut off so abruptly as in Trogon. 



Ribs weak ; styliform process long. 



Measurements. 



Tenths. 



Length of humerus 10 



Length of ulna 13 



Length of metacarpus .... 5 



Length of femur 6 



Length of tibia 10 



Length of metatarsus 4 



Length of sternum 10 



Tenths. 

 Breadth of posterior margin of sternum 8 

 Breadth of anterior margin of sternum 6 

 Depth of keel 



3* 



Length of head 22 



Breadth of head 

 Length of pelvis 

 Breadth of pelvis 



Illustrations. 

 Skeleton, Plate V. B. fig. 2. | Sternum, Plate VIII. fig. 7. 



51 



