I 
SPATHERODIA. 
If the young of Spatherodia, Ajaja, and Platalea be compared, they will 
be seen to be almost identical in bill-characters and in the feathering of the 
head and neck. The conclusion that might be arrived at, and moreover one 
which will probably be confirmed by anatomical investigation, is that these 
three forms are components of a phylogenetic genus and that they are 
recognisable as of subgeneric rank. At the present time subgenera are widely 
regarded as genera, and consequently I must use Spatherodia as such while 
carefully noting that it must be regarded as of equal value with A jaja. 
399 
/ 
I - 
I 
I I 
rl] 
t 
'i 
