OSTEOLOGIA AVIUM. 



The Paridcs may be distinguished by the form, of the head of the furculum, by the 

 very short pelvis, and by the humerus being shorter than the scapula. 



Alaudida have two foramina in the orbital septum. 



The Motacillidce may be distinguished from the Sylviadce by the larger sternum, and 

 pelvis, the more arched furculum, and longer manubrial process. 



The Sylviadce are so closely allied in form to the Motacillidce as scarcely to be dis- 

 tinguishable from them, except by the structure of the hind toe. 



The Muscicapidce have a very large and strongly bifurcate manubrial process, a very 

 great depression at the base of the nasal bones, very short leg bones, and the occipital 

 ridge and protuberance very distinct. 



The cranium in the Ampelidce differs from the Muscicapidce in having the branches 

 of the palatine bones further from one another, and being armed with a blunt spine 

 on their hinder extremities. 



The form of the palatine bones in most of the species at once distinguishes the 

 Laniidce from the typical Ampelidce ; the sternum also is smaller, and not so broad on 

 the posterior margin in proportion to the anterior ; and the ischiadic foramen instead 

 of being a mere slit, as among the Ampelidce, is oval. 



The Oriolidce have the sternum in the typical species with the edge of the posterior 

 margin very slightly rounded ; the palatine bones also differ in form from any of the 

 preceding ; the ischiadic foramen is divided by a long splint, forming a third small 

 foramen in the pelvis, near the acetabulum. 



The Fringillidce have the sternum longer in proportion to its width than it generally 

 is among the Oreolidce and Sternidce ; the cranium is shorter in proportion to its width ; 

 the nares are larger, and the coracoids shorter. 



The Tanagridce are very closely allied to the finches ; but the form of the palatine 

 bones appears to form a distinctive mark, and to draw a distinction between the two 

 families. 



The Corvidce differ considerably among themselves, and also from the other Insessores. 

 Taking the typical species Corvus corax, or our English raven, the carnivorous crows 

 approach towards the Kaptores; but another division, which feed chiefly on fruits, 

 and also molusca on the sea shore, have a weaker skeleton, and generally a quicker 

 flight. In no instance that I am aware has any member of this family more than one 

 foramen on each side of the posterior margin of the sternum ; the cranium has 

 invariably an indentation posterior to the nares. The palatine bones are always strong, 

 but vary slightly in form, and the posterior spine is always blunt. 



154 



