9-1 University of California Publications in Geology [Vol. 9 



pneumatic foramina appear upon the anterior face of the trochanter 

 and the whole bone shows a degree of translucence not visible in 

 Meleagris. The disposal of the intermuscular lines on both anterior 

 and posterior faces of the femur produces different patterns in the two 

 species, although the difference is hard to define. In its lack of 

 pneumatic foramina and in the pattern of its intermuscular lines the 

 fossil species resembles M . ocellatus more than it does P. cristatus. 



Humerus. — A proper comparison of the humerus in the Recent 

 Pavo and Meleagris is hardly possible, owing to the fact that this bone 

 in the only available specimen of peacock is either immature or path- 

 ological. The posterior limb bears every stamp of complete maturity 

 but the humerus shows the rough, striated surface, the poorly calcified 

 articulations, and the indistinct foramina and muscle sears of a 

 juvenal bird. The only basis of comparison remaining is the general 

 outline, which may not be normal and probably is decidedly abnormal. 

 The indications are that Pavo has a longer, straighter, and somewhat 

 weaker humerus than Meleagris has. The humerus of Pavo cali- 

 fornicus is decidedly more like that of Meleagris than like the one 

 specimen of Pavo cristatus when the adult bone is considered. AVhen, 

 however, a juvenal specimen of the extinct species is taken for com- 

 parison, the resemblance lies decidedly with Pavo. 



Coracoid. — This bone in Pavo cristatus is shorter than in the female 

 Meleagris ocellatus. The head of the bone is less abruptly bent over, 

 the articulation of the scapula is less perfectly denned, and the inter- 

 muscular lines less pronounced. How much of this difference is due 

 to slow maturing of the pectoral arch and limbs it is impossible to 

 state. The only available coracoid of P. calif ornicus which is in per- 

 fect condition shows a position intermediate with respect to the two 

 Recent species under discussion. The bone as a whole is much larger 

 than in the female Meleagris, the scapular scar is like Meleagris, the 

 flexure of the head is like Pavo, the intermuscular lines show a pattern 

 intermediate between the two. 



Carpometacarpus. — In Pavo cristatus this composite bone is long 

 and relatively slender as compared with Meleagris ocellatus. The 

 osseous tubercle which passes from the fused digits 2 and 3 toward the 

 ulnar side of the metacarpus is less developed and is placed nearer the 

 proximal extremity of the interdigital space. The process to which 

 the tendon of the extensor metacarpi radialis longior is attached is 

 longer but more slender. The attachments of the articular ligaments 

 also differ in detail of pattern. 



