Charadriidje.] osteologia avium. [Cursorinje. 



Cursorius, Lath. 



Gallicus, Gmel. 



I have only fragments of this bird. 



Cranium rounded ; occipital ridge prominent. Palatine bones broad and truncated 

 at the hinder extremity, and gradually tapering forwards. Orbital septum with one 

 large foramen. 



Sternum of moderate size, with two foramina on its hinder edge ; on each side of the 

 keel the strip of bone bounding the outer ones not extending so far back as those bound- 

 ing the inner ones ; keel very deep, scolloped out in front, but not regularly curved, 

 the lower portion being projected beyond the upper, which is nearly straight, but 

 receding, the lower edge much curved. Manubrial process small, bifid. 



Pelvis similar to other Charadridce. 



Glarcola, Briss. 



Pratincola, Linn. 



Cranium. Occipital ridge well marked. Orbital septum with three foramina. 

 Palatine bones similar to Cursorius. 



Leg-bones. Metatarsal bone with a hind toe ; calyx rudimentary. 



Wing-bones. Ulna long in proportion to the humerus. Other bones similar to 



Cursorius. 



Measurements. 



Tenths. 



Length of humerus 17 



Length of ulna 20; 



Length of metacarpus . .... 10 



Length of femur 10 



Length of tibia 17 



Length of metatarsus 12 



Length of sternum ...... 15 



Tenths. 



Breadth of posterior margin of sternum 8 

 Breadth of anterior margin of sternum 5 J 



Depth of keel 5 J 



Length of head 17 



Breadth of head 7 



Length of pelvis 15 



Breadth of pelvis 8 



Illustrations. 

 Skeleton, Plate XIII. K. Sternum, palatine bones, pelvis, and meta- 



I tarsi, Plate XXXV. ng. 2. 



Vanellus, Linn. 



Cristatus, Meyer. 

 Cranium. A deep channel between the upper edges of the orbits. Orbital septum 

 merely consisting of a narrow strip of bone, dividing it into two foramina. Palatine 

 bones as in the foregoing. 



Sternum and^ete similar to those in Cursorius. 

 Metatarsi with a small hind toe. 

 180 



