Alcedinid^e.] 



OSTEOLOGIA AVIUM. 



[CoRACIN^E. 



Occipital ridge distinct ; the space between the orbits, which are reflected, is of moderate 

 width, with a depression between them ; an arcuated depression at the base of the nasal 

 bones. Maxillaries covering the roof of the mouth for one-third the length of the 

 cranium. Palatine bones consisting for a little more than their anterior half of a narrow 

 strip, then suddenly widened and truncated posteriorly, with a slight central dependent 

 lamina. Interarticular bones straight, slightly twisted on their axis. Sphenoid similar 

 to that of Trogon. Orbital septum nearly entire. Nasal orifices oval. 



Sternum of moderate length, broadest on its posterior margin, indented with two 

 fissures on each side ; lateral margins constricted in the middle ; keel slightly arched, 

 the anterior edge excavated. Sternum not convex longitudinally ; manubrial process 

 moderately developed. Coracoids and furculum as in Trogon. Pelvis precisely as in 

 Trogon, but not quite so broad in proportion to its length, and with the posterior spine 

 strongly marked. 



Measurements. 



Tenths. 



Length of humerus 21 



Length of ulna 26 



Length of radius 25 



Length of metacarpus 12 



Length of femur 13 



Length of tibia 18 



Length of metatarsus ..... 10 



Length of sternum 15 



Tenths. 

 Breadth of posterior margin of sternum 10 

 Breadth of anterior margin of sternum 8 

 Depth of keel 5 



Length of head . 

 Breadth of head . 

 Length of pelvis . 

 Breadth of pelvis 



25 

 11 

 19 

 10 



Illustrations. 



Skeleton of Coracias indica, Plate II. B. 

 Sternum of Coracias indica, Plate VIII. 

 fig. 10. 



Palatine bones of Coracias indica, Plate 

 XII. fig. 9. 



Coracias, Vieill. 



Afra, Lath. 

 This bird has been placed with Eurystomus ; but it is a true Coracias, although the bill 

 is rather shorter than in Garrula ; the whole skeleton is precisely similar to that bird, 

 with the exception of the measurements. 



Measurements. 



Tenths. 



Length of humerus 18 



Length of ulna 22 



Length of metacarpus 10 



Length of femur 11-J 



58 



Tenths. 



Length of tibia 13^ 



Length of metatarsus 7^ 



Length of sternum 14 



Breadth of posterior margin of sternum 10 



