Xlll 
“ MYOLOGY. 
” The Meropidac agree with all the other families of the order Anomalogonatae of Prof. Garrod 
in the absence of the ambiens, and in the presence of the femoro-caudal and the semitendinosus 
and its accessory ; the formula, therefore, on Prof. Garrod 5 s system, is — A X Y. With regard to 
other muscles which vary in different groups of birds, the Meropidce possess the so-called expansor 
secundariorum, which has the characteristic disposition termed ‘ Ciconiine ’ by Prof. Garrod. The 
presence of this muscle is not usual among Anomalogonatous birds, but it exists among the 
Momotidse, Alcedinidte, in Steatornis , the Coraciidse, Lepiosomida?, and Galbulidse ; in the last 
three families the expansor secundariorum is Ciconiine, as in Merops. 
“The tensor patagii longus arises from the clavicle by two distinct heads, one in common with 
the single head of the tensor patagii brevis ; the tendon of the latter muscle bifurcates just before 
its insertion on to the extensor metacarpi. The termination of the tensor patagii tendon is, in 
fact, very closely similar to that of the Galbulidae, especially TJrogalba paradisea ; in Coracias 
the tendons of this muscle are a little more complicated. 
“ The deltoid extends a long way down the humerus ; it receives a fibrous cord from the 
scapula, which passes under the latissimus dorsi and over the anconeus longus. A similar 
accessory head to the deltoid occurs in many birds — for instance, among those which have 
evident relations to the Bee-eaters, in Momotus , Hylomanes, Galbula albirostris, and TJrogalba 
paradisea ; in Coracias, as in the Todies, this tendinous slip is absent. The anconeus longus is 
attached to the humerus about one third of the way down by a tendinous slip, which is inserted 
in common with the posterior latissimus dorsi ; a similar disposition is met with in Coracias , 
TJrogalba, and Galbula-, this tendinous accessory head of the anconeus is absent, however, in the 
Todies, and in Momotus, Hylomanes, Dacelo, &e. The deep flexor tendons have been described 
by Garrod as more particularly resembling those of Momotus and Dacelo ; they differ slightly 
from Coracias, and still more from the Galbulidse. 
“ On the whole the myology of the Bee-eaters seems to indicate a specially close alliance with 
the Coraciidse and Galbulidse, though there are no wide differences from other families of the 
Anomalogonatse. The presence of cseca in the intestine, and the absence of a tuft on the oil- 
gland, led Prof. Garrod to associate the Meropidse with the above-named families, as well as with 
the Trogonklse and Passeres. The absence of cseca and the presence of a tufted oil-gland distin- 
guish the Hornbills, Colies, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, and Motmots. The myology of these 
different families does not perhaps afford any very strong support to Prof. Garrod’s division, but it 
is at any rate in no way opposed to it : it will be noticed from the facts recorded above that the 
expansor secundariorum, if present, has a different disposition in the Aves Passeriformes such as 
Merops ; the accessory head of the anconeus is apparently absent in the Trogonidae, and often, 
if not always, present in the Passeres. The myology as well as other details of the anatomy of 
the Capiimulgidae are not perhaps in accord with such a division ; but it appears to me that there 
are grounds for removing this group altogether from the Piciformes or Passeriformes.” 
