Fringillidje.] osteologia. avium. [Emberezinje. 



Emberiza, Linn. 



Citrinella, Linn. 

 The same general form exists in this family as in the last. I have also a skeleton 

 of Plectrophanes nivalis. 



Pyrrhula, Mahr. 



Vulgaris, Temm. 



Cranium robust, with a deep impression, broader in proportion to its length behind 

 the nostrils than in Fringilla ; occiput with a small protuberance and a deep impres- 

 sion on each side upper margin of the orbits, slightly recurved ; orbital septum with 

 only one foramen; channel for masseter muscles moderately developed. Palatine 

 bones broad at their hinder margins, and strong. 



Sternum with the foramina on the posterior margin wider than in Fringilla, and the 

 sternum broader in proportion to its length. 



Ribs stronger than in Fringilla. 



Pelvis similar. 



Measurements. 



Tenths. 



Length of humerus ..... 7 



Length of ulna ....... 8 



Length of metacarpus ..... 4 



Length of femur ...... 7 



Length of tibia lin. 



Length of metatarsus 8 



Length of sternum ...... 8 J 



Tenths. 



Breadth of posterior margin of sternum 6 



Breadth of anterior margin of sternum 4 



Depth of keel ....... 3 



Length of head . ...... 11 



Breadth of head 6 



Length of pelvis 9 J 



Breadth of pelvis ....... 6 



Loxia, Linn. 



Curvirostra, Linn. 

 ' I have two specimens of this bird in my collection ; one I shot myself in Shropshire, 

 the other was killed in Yorkshire. The form of the skeleton of each is the same, 

 therefore the description of one will be sufficient; but I shall call them " 1," alluding 

 to the Shropshire specimen, and "2" to the Yorkshire one. The differences in size 

 may probably be sexual, but I have no means of determining that point at present. 



Cranium robust, very powerful, agreeing with Pyrrhula in the formation of the 

 occiput, and in having the depression behind the nares ; the impression for the masse- 

 ter muscles very highly developed, much more so than in any Insessorial bird with 

 which I am acquainted. Palatine bones strong, broad, depressed at their lateral 



y 141 



