12 
BULLETIN OF THE LABORATORIES 
The strongest bone in the shoulder girdle is the coracoid , which 
is expanded below and obliquely winged for a short distance, then 
is cylindrical and then curves inward, throwing off a flange-like 
process where the scapula is articulated, and ends in an articular 
surface against which the flattened upper part of the clavicle is 
pressed. From the lower angle of this surface a strong tendon 
passes to the process of the manubrium on that side. The clavicles 
are of the usual form, forming the merry-thought in connection with 
the anchylosed interclavicle. The scapula is united to both clavicle 
and coracoid and with the latter furnishes a glenoid surface for the 
humerus. Between these three bones, at their union, is a cavity, fora- 
men triosseum, permitting the passage of the tendon of the sub-cla- 
vius muscle. 
The anterior extremity is of moderate size. The humerus is .95 
long and is much expanded proximally where it is .33 in breadth. 
The radial crest is short and quite prominent. The ulnar tuberosity 
is very large and outwardly presents a large triangular surface and 
within excludes two extensive fossae, divided by a strong septum, from 
the end of which a strong process is developed. The opposite or 
distal end of the humerus is less highly developed, but still shows a 
high degree of perfection of the spinous appendages. The trochlea, 
consisting of the radial and ulnar tubercles, are about as usual. The 
radial condyle is a small prominence directed forward at the base of 
the radius, while the ulnar condyle is a larger acute process, extending 
in the opposite direction. The radius , the smaller bone of the arm, 
is but slightly curved and measures 1.20 in length. The ulna curves 
considerably, proximally, so that the sigmoid cavity is quite oblique to 
the shaft, and the olecranon process is small and styloid. The carpus 
contains two bones which have the usual positions. The ulnare is 
applied to the back side of the ulna and rotates upon its smooth articu- 
lar surface. The radiale caps the ulnar and is overlapped by the ra- 
dius in front. The three metacarpals are fused at the base. The 
first one can not be distinguished and its phalanx measures but . 20. 
The second metacarpal is .65 long and is fused at both ends with the 
slender third metacarpal. The s.econd digit consists of two phalanges, 
the first of which is .30 long and consists of two bars connected by a 
thin plate of bone, the second being a triangular plate .15 long. The 
third digit consists of a styloid phalanx .20 long. (The two ossicles 
described by Schufeldt, in certain birds, as the cuneiform and the pen- 
tosteon, are not discoverable in any of the skeleta before me. 
OF DENISON UNIVERSITY. 
T 3 
The pelvis is papery and yet very complete. The obturator fissure, 
separating the ischium and pubic moiety of the pelvis is divided into an 
elongated posterior and smaller circular anterior foramen. The ilio- 
siatic foramen is quadrate, with rounded angles. The pubic bone is 
produced into a slender curved process, as usual in this group. The 
femur is .91 long and nearly straight and requires no description. 
The tibia is a symmetrical straight bone, 1.30 long, while the fibula 
is nearly free from it and is about half its length. In the skeleta of 
adult birds, such as those before us, it is useless to attempt to distin- 
guish the tarsal bones which unite with its epiphyses, thus forming the 
tibio-tarsus , nor yet the composition of the succeeding segment of the 
leg, the tarso-metatarsus. The latter is .80 long and is furnished with 
a strong process ( ‘ ‘ calcaneal,” ) behind, which is at present causing so 
much discussion. The subdivision at the distal extremity into the 
four metatarsals is distinct. The first of these, the hallux , is provided 
with a separate matatarsal, the accessorius , which is quite large and de- 
scends to the level of the other united metatarsals. The phalanges 
of the hallux are two in number, the first being very large, .32 long. 
The claw borne by the following phalanx is the strongest on the foot. 
The second toe has three phalanges, the third, four, and the shorter 
.fourth, five, as is the case in all of the present group of birds. 
Such a bare description as is above given of points in the osteology 
of a species of bird, is of little value, except as furnishing a basis for 
comparison with others of its own and other groups. Such a com- 
parative study we cannot at present attempt, but may, perhaps, profit- 
ably note some points of difference between the present species and 
others of its own family, Fringillidae. Quite at the other extreme 
of the family may be found the genus Pipilo, which is represented in 
our region by the Chewink or Ground Robin, P. erythvopthalmus , 
a bird of singular appearance, in some points resembling the Orioles, 
while mimicking the habits of the Brown Thrush. A comparison with 
this species then may be expected to give us the limit of divergence in 
structure within the family, and those points which are identical in 
both may, with some probability, be assumed to be of family, ordinal 
or class rank. 
The skull is of very different form, but the' differences are 
chiefly those accompanying the reduction in the size of the beak, 
which in the Chewink is slender, almost Icterine. This slender point- 
ed beak does not extend backward so far as in the true Finches, but 
