84 
ZOOLOGICAL LITERATURE. 
Flower, W. H. On the Gular Pouch of the Great Bustard 
(Otis tarda, Linn.). Proc. Zool. Soc. 1865, pp. 747, 748. 
The specimens dissected by Dr. Cullen (vide supra sub eo 
nom.) are here fully described. There is a distinct and unques- 
tionably natural opening under the tongue, surrounded by well- 
marked folds of mucous membrane, which close it by coming 
into apposition. A band of muscular fibres runs on each side of 
the neck of the sack, and is evidently the sphincter spoken of by 
several observers ; it appears, however, only to be part of the 
general muscular system. One sack measured 9 inches in 
length, and held easily three imperial pints. Both of them con- 
tained a few pieces of grass and leaves. There appears to be no 
glandular structure connected with the organ ; and it is probably 
a simple reservoir for fluid, more analogous to the pouch of the 
Pelecanidce than anything else. 
Germain, R. Note sur la structure du gesier chez le Pigeon 
Nicobar. Ann. des Sc. Nat. hi. p. 352. 
The note seems to confirm Mr. Flower’s more detailed observa- 
tions (P. Z. S. 1860, pp. 333, 334). 
Giebel, C. Zur Charakteristik der Pelekane. Zeitschrift fur die 
gesammten Naturwissenschaften, 1865, pj>. 250-257. 
The osteology of the genus Pelecanus as represented by three 
of its species, P, erythrorhynchus, P. crispus, and P. onocrotalus, 
is very carefully and at the same time succinctly described. 
Harting, P. L’appareil ^pisternal des Oiseaux, Natuurk. Ye- 
hand. Utrechtsch Genootsch. Kunst. Wetenschapp. Nieuwe 
Reeks. I. hi. pp. 20, cum tab. 
By the term episternal apparatus ’’ the author means all that 
structure, whether membranous or osseous, which commonly 
unites the clavicles [furcula] to the sternum, and has generally 
been considered as forming its anterior part, but is in reality as 
distinct from it as are the clavicles and the coracoids. After 
describing in some detail the form it takes in various birds (re- 
marking on the curious fact that in the male of Meleagris gallo- 
pavo there is a strong osseous superior apophysis, while in the 
female of the same species there is simply a thickening of the 
median plate only composed of tendinous tissue without any 
trace of cartilage) , he briefly sums up the results of his observa- 
tions nearly as follows ; — 
1 . All birds have an apparatus comparable to the episternum 
of saurians and some mammals. 
2. The episternal apparatus of birds is sometimes altogether, 
and always for the most part, in a membranous state. 
3. When it is complete, it consists of a vertical median poste- 
