306 



DR. E. W. SHUrELDT S MOEPHOLOGICAL 



Ampelis cedrorum ; secondly, a study of the osteology of Trogon 

 mexicanus and T. puella ; thirdly, an examination of the struc- 

 ture of a number of tlie Caprimulgi ; fourthly, an investigation 

 of tlic anatomy of the North-American Hiriindioudce; fifthly, 

 similar inquiries into the morphology of certain Cypseli and 

 Teochilt, including extensive comparisons with the facts brought 

 out in the first sections of the paper ; and, lastly, a section 

 devoted to my final Comparisons and Conclusions. 



The Moephologt of Ampelis oedeoeum. 



From an external examination of the subject, we find that the 

 following characters are presented : — 



1. The soft feathers on the top of the head unite to form a 

 conspicuous crest. 



2. The bill is broad at its base, rather short, and vertically 

 compressed ; while both mandibles show a distinct notch at the 

 sides near the apices. 



8. The cleft of the gape extends nearly as far back as the 

 anterior arc of the eyelids. 



4. The nostrils are subelliptical and scaled. 



5. The wings are ample, pointed by the 3rd primary of the 10 

 composing one of them, the 1st primary being rudimentary. 



6. Peculiar wax-like prolongations of the shaft are found in 

 certain of the wing-feathers, and in some individuals in the 

 tail-feathers. 



7. Tail very slightly rounded, and composed of 12 rectrices. 



8. Lateral plates of tarsus subdivided, with the anterior portion 

 of this envelope composed of six distinct scutes. 



9. Feet moderately strong, and characterized by having the 

 basal phalanges of middle and outer toes more or less united. 



10. In form, the body is somewhat robust and full-chested. 

 To this we may add that the Cedar -bird builds its nest upon 



trees, and lays spotted eggs, and that the young have a difi'erent 

 coloration of ])lumage from their parents, which, in this respect, 

 are alike. 



On plucking the specimen the following additional characters 

 are revealed : — 



11. The pterylosis agrees almost exactly in pattern with the 

 pteryloses of the majority of Passerine birds. A. cedrorum has, 

 however, a lateral and narrow tract running longitudinally down 



