Ardeidje.] osteologia avium. [Psophinje. 



foramina. Palatine bones broad, the outer edges turned downward at an angle, the 

 inner edges slightly turned down ; hinder margin rounded from the outer margin to 

 the interarticular bones, gradually diminishing in width forwards ; hinder margin of 

 the inferior mandible, and process at the termination of the occipital crest, as in 

 Tantalus. 



Sternum very long in proportion to its width, much narrower behind than anteriorly ; 

 hinder margin rounded, lateral edges much compressed laterally behind the junction 

 of the ribs; keel shallow, much scolloped out in front, lower edge very slightly 

 rounded. Manubrial process rudimentary. 



Pelvis similar to the Tantalince, but the os pubis is not so much elongated beyond 

 the ischium. 



Wing-bones rather short ; humerus longer than the ulna. 



Leg-bones. Calx rudimentary ; metatarsus with a hind toe. 



Coracoids of moderate length, longer than among the Scolopacidce. 



Scapula much arched, particularly towards the top, which is pointed. 



Measurements. 



Tenths. 



Length of humerus 30 



Length of ulna 29 



Length of metacarpus 15 



Length of femur 30 



Length of tibia 55 



Length of metatarsus 45 



Length of sternum 40 



Illustrations. 

 Skeleton, Plate V. K. 



Tenths. 



Breadth of posterior margin of sternum 10| 

 Breadth of anterior margin of sternum 1 3 



Depth of keel 5 



Length of head 30 



Breadth of head 13 



Length of pelvis 32 J 



Breadth of pelvis 16 



Sternum, pelvis, palatine bones, and metatarsi, 

 Plate XXXIX. fig. 1, on the left-hand 

 side of the plate. 



Cariama, Briss, Linn. 

 Cristata, Linn. 



Cranium. A slight depression between the orbits ; orbital septum with two foramina. 

 Palatine bones and interarticular bones similar to Psophia, but broader and stronger. 



Sternum short; posterior margin very narrow, rounded at its end, expanding gradu- 

 ally forwards for about an inch and a half to two short splints about half an inch long, 

 which bound a shallow fissure. Manubrial process small, but distinctly marked ; keel 

 deep, anterior edge scolloped out, arched on its lower edge. 



Pelvis broad ; very similar to Prophia, but with the points of the os pubis, which is 

 much longer than in Prophia, turned much inwards. 

 190 



