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Show 1892.] CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 237 II. Subclass N E O R N I T H E S . Metacarpals fused with each other. Second finger the longest, third finger reduced. Caudal vertebrae apparently not more than 13 in number. 1st Division. NEORNITHES RATIT.E. Nidifugous. Omnivorous. Terrestrial. Rhamphotheca compound. Nares impervious. Holorhinal. Vertebrae heteroccelous. Basipterygoid processes functional. Proximal articulating head of quadrate single. Sternum without keel and without spina interna. Spina externa small or absent. Coracoid fused with scapula ; both bones forming a very obtuse angle. With incisura ischiadica; only in adult Rhea and Dromeeus the distal end of the ischium fusing with the ilium and forming a foramen ischiadicum. Wings reduced ; flightless. Terminal caudal vertebrae not coalesced into a pygostyle. Hypotarsus simple. Flexors of type II. or IV. Adult without pterylae. Oil-gland absent. Caeca functional. 1. STRUTHIONES. Ethiopian. Maxillo-palatines articulating with the vomer, which touches neither palatines nor pterygoids. Third and fourth toes only developed, terminal phalanges shortened, with stunted nails. Procoracoid large. No clavicles. Tibia without bony bridge. Aftershaft absent. Caeca and rectum enormous. (Unique.) 2. RHE^. Neotropical. Maxillo-palatines large, fenestrated, not touching the vomer. Palatines short, articulating with the vomer. Hallux absent. Front toes with claws, middle phalanges shortened. Procoracoid process large. No clavicles. Tibia without bony bridge. Aftershaft absent. Caeca large. Syrinx tracheo-bronchial, with one pair of syringeal muscles. ( Unique among Ratitce.) PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1892, No. XVII. 17 |