BUCERIDJS.] OSTEOLOGIA AVIUM. [BUCERINJS. 



the nasal bones, and has a transverse depression between, as among the Alcedinidw. 

 The impressions for the reception of the masseter muscles are deep and well marked, 

 but do not meet, having the strongly marked and very much arched occipital ridge 

 rising up between them. Orbits somewhat rounded ; septum between the orbits entirely 

 wanting. Palatine bones very broad anteriorly at their junction with the maxillaries 

 and pointed posteriorly, forming an elongated triangle, with the sides slightly bending 

 inwards. Sphenoid bone entirely wanting, except in so far as it is represented by the 

 interarticular, thus agreeing with the whole of the Order Omnivores, throughout which 

 it is never more than rudimentary. Interarticular bones strong, somewhat triangular. 

 Maxillaries covering the roof of the mouth for two-thirds the length of the skull. 

 Foramen magnum large, somewhat square, with the angles rounded. Atlar tubercle 

 much flattened on the side next the foramen magnum. 



Sternum very slightly convex longitudinally, more so transversely, of moderate length, 

 the lateral margins very much constricted at the junction of the ribs. Posterior margin 

 with a shallow but broad fissure on each side ; the inferior edge of the keel very slightly 

 rounded, and rather produced in front ; the anterior edge not excavated. Manubrial 

 process small. 



Pelvis broad ; the bones of the ischium inclined obliquely outwards from the plane of the 

 ilium to the os pubis. Obturator and ischiadic foramina very large. No posterior spine. 



Ribs of moderate strength. 



Coracoids of moderate length and strength. 



Furculum of precisely the same shape as in JTpupa, and no stronger in proportion to 

 the size of the bird. Scapula strong ; a depression near the point, which is slightly 

 deflected. Ulna long in proportion to the humerus ; metacarpus with the posterior 

 bone flattened horizontally, anchylosed for the proximal third of its length to the ante- 

 rior one, which has a deep groove arising on the upper part of the anterior edge, and 

 terminating on the upper surface of its distal extremity. 



Femur straight. Fibula one-third the length of the tibia, anchylosed to it at both 

 extremities. Metatarsus broad, strong, deeply channeled in front, the divisions between 

 the bones forming it well marked near its proximal extremity by two intermediate 

 foramina ; calcaneal process large, from which a keel proceeds down the mesometatarsal 

 bone for two-thirds of its length. 



Vertebral column very strong ; the vertebrae very broad ; the dorsal processes well 

 marked on all ; terminal caudal one very large, posterior, triangular. 



Measurements. 



Tenths. 

 Length of humerus 48 



Length of ulna 70 



Length of metacarpus 25 



Length of femur 35 



Tenths. 

 Length of tibia 45 



Length of metatarsus 21 



Length of sternum 37 



Breadth of posterior margin of sternum 22 



vol. i. K 61 



