CoLUMBIDJJ.] 



OSTEOLOGIA. AVIUM.. 



[GoURIN^. 



Furculum weak, without any process at the junction of the rami, not united to or 

 touching the sternum, flattened transversely for its lower half, and triangular near its 

 junction with the coracoids. 



Coracoids strong, with a slight keel running down the middle of their lower half; a 

 strong spine projects from their outer edge just above their articulation with the 

 sternum. 



Scapula much expanded towards the hinder extremity, which is rounded and slightly 

 deflexed. 



Wing-bones short and strong. Proximal extremity of the humerus with a large 

 process projecting outwards and horizontally at its upper and outer angle. 



Leg-bones of moderate length ; femur rather short, with the condyles at the distal 

 extremity very distinctly developed. Fibula extending for half the length of the 

 tibia. 



Metatarsus is of moderate length, slightly flattened, and for two-thirds of its length 

 in front indented by a channel, deepest at the upper extremity, slightly twisted inwards 

 as it proceeds downwards, and becomes gradually obliterated ; calcineal ridge well 

 marked at its upper extremity, but gradually becoming obliterated as it proceeds down- 

 Ward ; adjoining it, on the inner side, is a channel, down which the flexor muscles of the 

 toes pass to the accessory metatarsal bone by the side, which they pass down a channel 

 formed by that bone being twisted on its axis so as partly to enclose them. 



Vertebral column, the four penultimate vertebrae with dorsal spines. 



Measurements. 



Tenths. 



Length of humerus 39 



Length of ulna 47 



Length of metacarpus 24 



Length of femur 31 



Length of tibia ....... 50 



Length of metatarsus 35 



Length of sternum 49 



Breadth of posterior margin of) 

 sternum, including lateral strips) 



9 



Tenths. 



Breadth of anterior margin of sternum 17 



Depth of keel 19 



Length of head 39 



Breadth of head 12 



Length of pelvis 50 



Breadth of pelvis posteriorly . . 27 

 Breadth of pelvis anteriorly 



16| 



Illustrations. 



Skeleton, Plate I. G. 



Sternum, pelvis, and palatine bones, 

 Plate XX. fig. 1. 



Peristera, Sw. 



Jamaicensis, Linn. 

 Cranium similar in shape to that of Goura. Orbital septum perforated in the centre 

 by one large round foramen, and above and posterior to it another one somewhat 

 156 



