ScOLOPACIDiE.] OSTEOLOGIA AVIUM. [TANTALIN2E. 



Scolopax, Linn. 



Gallinago, Linn. 

 Similar to the foregoing, except in size. 



Rhyncioea, Cuv. 



Semicollaris, Vieill. 

 I have not a perfect skeleton of this bird. It is similar to Scolopax, but/ has the 

 sternum narrower, and a larger process at the junction of the rami of the furculum ; 

 the palatine bones have been destroyed. 



Numenius, Linn. 



Arquatus, Linn. 



Cranium. A raised ridge on the upper part between the orbits ; orbital septum 

 with two foramina. Palatine bones broad at the hinder extremity, and with the edges 

 bent downwards, tapering towards the interarticular bones ; the expanded portion 

 does not extend for more than five-tenths, after which they become a mere strip of 

 flattened bone. Occipital ridge well marked, but not very prominent. 



Sternum with two fissures on each side of the keel, on the posterior margin, the strip 

 of bone bounding the outer ones not extending so far backwards as the inner one, and 

 neither extending as far as the hindermost edge of the sternum ; keel very deep, scol- 

 loped out on its anterior edge, and much arched on its lower edge. Manubrial process 

 rather large, laterally compressed, thin, truncate at its upper and lower extremities, 

 and slightly arched in front. 



Pelvis rather narrow for its length ; obturator and ischiadic foramina very large, the 

 hinder margin of the iliac bones curved from the sacral vertebra outwards, and pro- 

 jecting backwards as far as the third caudal vertebra; ilium very small and narrow, 

 the lower edge projecting in the form of a tapering spine nearly as far as the end of 

 the os pubis, which is prolonged to opposite the last caudal vertebra ; a projecting 

 ridge down the upper surface of the pelvis. 



Ribs with very long styliform processes projecting much beyond the following rib. 



Furculum laterally flattened; process at the junction of the rami small, triangular. 



Scapula slightly expanded near the tip, and tapering slightly towards the end, which 

 is blunt. 



Leg-bones. Calcineal process rudimentary ; metatarsus furnished with a hind toe. 



Measurements. 



Tenths. 



Length of humerus 32 



Length of ulna 43 



Length of metacarpus 21 



Tenths. 



Length of femur 21 



Length of tibia 41 



Length of metatarsus ..... 30 



187 



