Meliphagidje.] osteologia avium. [Meliphaginje. 



Measurements (continued.) 



Tenths. 



Breadth of anterior margin of sternum 4f 



Depth of keel 3 



Length of head .... .16 



Tenths. 



Breadth of head 6 



Length of pelvis 10 



Breadth of pelvis 9 



ug., 



AnthoChjera, Vig. $ Horsf. 

 Carunculata, Lath. 



Cranium rounded above occiptal ridge; protuberance prominent; space between 

 the orbits moderate, much depressed in the middle ; orbits of moderate size, the upper 

 edges reflexed ; septum pierced by two foramina, which are merely divided by a narrow 

 strip of bone. Palatine bones broad, covering the roof of the mouth for two-thirds of 

 their length, where they are truncated, and terminate in two narrow strips of bone 

 to the interarticular, both edges deflexed; interarticular bones short, a little bent, 

 rounded. Lacrymal bones pointing backwards. 



Sternum of moderate size, constricted in middle, a little rounded on the posterior 

 margin, with a fissure on each side ; the strip of bone forming the outer edge of each 

 fissure much expanded at the end, so as nearly to convert the fissures into foramina ; 

 keel very broad, the lower edge rounded, the point receding ; manubrial process of 

 moderate size, and turned upwards ; bifid at its extremity. 



Pelvis small, narrow ; anterior edges of the iliac bones not united, leaving a channel 

 between them as far as the acetabula, when the upper edges expand and leave a broad 

 open space to the first caudal vertebrae, being only anchylored to the lateral processes. 

 Ischium very slightly inclined outwards, and much overhung by the pubis, which is 

 carried backwards to a point opposite the third caudal vertebrse, the ischium being 

 united to it as far as that point. Ischiadic and obturator foramina large, the former 

 round, the latter oval ; points of the os pubis pointing inwards. 



Ribs of moderate strength ; styliform process much turned upwards. 



Furculum with upper points of the rami not much expanded, and running in an 

 almost parallel direction to near their junction, where they curve inwards to meet each 

 other ; process uniting them to the sternum very large, and turned upwards ; the rami 

 flattened, and slightly arched anteriorly. 



Coracoids rather long, rounded in the middle. 



Scapula nearly as long as the humerus, very slightly deflexed. 



Wing-bones of moderate length, the ulna longer than the humerus. 



Femur very slightly bent ; fibula about one-third the length of the tibia. Metatarsus 

 with a very deep keel arising on the calear protuberance, and continued, gradually 

 narrowing to the lower extremity of the metatarsus. 



Vertebral column of moderate strength, the penultimate and three next vertebrse with 

 blunt dorsal processes ; the terminal caudal vertebrse triangular and large. 

 104 



