312 



DR. R. W. SHUFELDt's MORPHOLOGICAL 



The maxillo-palatines (PL XVII. fig. 6, mxp.) are markedly 

 long and slender in Ampelis, and mesially separated by an unusual 

 interval. They slightly exaggerate, however, the conditions 

 in which we commonly find them among the Passeres generally. 

 This remark applies also to the vomer (v.), which, too, is rather 

 broad, though it bears out its Passerine character in being ante- 

 riorly truncate with somewhat produced lateral tips at that 

 extremity to meet the cartilaginous wings o£ the nasal septum. 



Among the Tyrannidce, the palatine heads of the pterygoids 

 meet each other beneath the rostrum of the sphenoid; these 

 parts are sejjarated by quite an interval in Ampelis (PI. XVII. 

 fig. 6, pt.), as they are also, though to a less extent, in the 

 Thrushes (e. g., S. nwvici). Here, again, the Chatterer agrees 

 with the typical Oscinine bird. In general form the pterygoids of 

 Ampelis agree with those bones as we find them in other Passeres. 



In view of the fact that the general characters of the skull of 

 a Passerine bird are well known, and as I believe that I have 

 now thoroughly directed attention to the most important 

 departures therefrom, or similarities therewith, in the fore- 

 going paragi'aphs, there is nothing else that remains worthy of 

 special record in this skull of Ampelis^ and the notes thus far 

 made will meet all requirements of reference for what has to 

 follow. 



The mandible of Ampelis is but feebly developed when com- 

 pared with that bone as we find it in others of this great group 

 of birds. It has more the appearance of a Swallow's jaw than 

 that of either a Thrush or a typical Flycatcher. In general 

 form, however, it is essentially passerine, having an outline not 

 very unlike the mandible of Otocoris cdpestris (fig. 29 of my 

 memoir upon the Osteology of tliat Lark). A minute ramal 

 vacuity is present, wliicli is found to be larger in the Tyrannidce^ 

 and of a still greater size in Hesperocichla. As might be ex- 

 pected, the mandible in the Flycatchers is a much stronger and 

 comparatively heavier bone than it is in these Oscinine types. 



22. The liyoid arches in our subject are likewise typically 

 Passerine in character, having their several elements delicately 

 constructed, with first and second basibranchial in one piece ; 

 with a cartilaginous glosso-hyal, and with comparatively large 

 and free cerato-hyals. Lanius is a bird that shows very well the 



