Osteological Studies of the Subfamily Ardeince. 15 
Two rows of quill-knobs are distinctly seen upon its length, 
one on the ulnar and one on the palmar aspect; the former being 
the more strongly marked. 
The shaft decreases in size gradually from the proximal to 
the distal end, very imperceptibly from the middle of the bone, on. 
A nutrient foramen is seen on the anconal aspect at the proximal 
part of the middle third. 
The carpal end shows the usual trochlear surface, and the 
facets for the radiate and ulnare of the wrist. Proximally, the 
enlargement is much greater, in order to afford sufficient breadth, 
to make room for the extensive excavations that are found at this 
end, to articulate with the radius and bone of the brachium. The 
olecranon is but feebly developed and tuberous. Measurements 
taken from these bones in an adult specimen of Ardea herodias , 
shows the humerus to be 19 cms. long; the radius 22. and the 
ulna 23.1, which goes to show that the brachium and anti-brach- 
ium are proportionately balanced as to their respective lengths. 
Both of the carpal elements are present, the radiate and the ulnare. 
They are of good size, articulate as in most birds, and are fash¬ 
ioned after the most usual pattern assumed by these bonelets. 
The carpo-metacarpus makes up in length in this heron what 
it otherwise lacks in breadth. It measures 10.3 c. m. long, while 
across the widest part above it is but 1.8 c. m.; this latter measure¬ 
ment being from superior tip of pollex metacarpal directly across 
the bone to outer edge of trochlear surface. 
The first metacarpal, anchylosed as usual at the upper and 
anterior aspect of the bone, is very short, slightly bent anconad, 
and directed rather upwards as a tuberous process. Beneath, it 
supports the extensive convex articular facet for pollex digit, 
which latter is long and somewhat laterally compressed. It bears 
a diminutive facet at its distal extremity, and appears as though 
it might have had in life a claw there, which has been lost in my 
specimen. Nitzsch, who examined many groups of birds to inves¬ 
tigate among others this point, places the Herodiones in the cate¬ 
gory of birds in which he discovered it to be present. So on the 
authority of this eminent anatomist I believe we may safely say 
that our subject will be found to possess such a claw. 
For its entire length the main shaft of this bone is very 
straight, and such part of it as is free from contact with other 
