No. 442.] OSTEOLOGY OF THE KEXG EES HERS. 705 



as we see it in the skulls of some herons. The subcircular 

 foramen magnum is of fair size, and the condyle comparatively 

 small. Anterior to it the basitemporal space is limited, while 

 the usual groups of foramina are to be seen upon either hand. 

 There is also a groove leading up on either side of the foramen 

 magnum, that terminates in a minute opening on the not very 

 elevated supraoccipital prominence. The superior limiting mar- 

 gin of the occipital area in Ceryle is very sharp, while in Alcedo 

 and Geococcyx. where the same characters first enumerated are 

 present, this boundary is more rounded. 



Viewing the skull of either C. alcyon or c". cabanisi laterally (Fig. 

 2), the unusually deep temporal fossa is again brought to our 

 notice, occupying much of the space behind, 

 the superior margin of the large and very oj 

 allowing but just enough surface for the lodj 

 of the quadrate. 



It has above it a flattened squamosal proc 



margin makes a clo- 

 the frontal above, ral 

 the first and the ren 



