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Show 154 MR. A. H. GARROD ON T H E [Mar. 2, the Fuliguline affinities of the genus ; and the trachea presents of superficial similarity to that of the last-described bird, Sarcidiornis melanota, as will be seen by a comparison of the accompanying drawings (figs. 1-5) of the lower portion of the windpipes in the two. In the female (fig. 3) there is no lateral diverticulum, the syrinx being simple. The lower end of the trachea is hardly contracted at all. There is, however, a slight thinning of the anterior portions of some of the inferior tracheal rings, as in the female of Sarcidiornis melanota, though to a less extent-a small, transverse, anterior fenestra being the result. In the Bhodonessa the syrinx proper is nevertheless differently constructed, the last five or six tracheal rings being consolidated together, the fenestration being situated higher up ; whilst in the Sarcidiornis the fenestration of the unanchylosed rings continues as low down as the bronchial bifurcation (vide figs. 3, 4, & 5). In the male Bhodonessa caryophyllacea (figs. 4 & 5) the lower portion of the trachea is less capacious than a little higher up, where a slight fusiform dilatation occurs. Above the large syringeal box there are in front 15 transverse fenestrae formed between the thinned tracheal rings, as in the Sarcidiornis and Harelda. Below them the syrinx is formed by a considerable dilatation in two directions-one to the left, which is the larger and has semimembranous walls; the other slightly to the right, inferior in position to the former. This latter is simply osseous, no fenestrae being present in it; it intrudes upon the right side as well as the left in front. The last 12 or so tracheal rings are considerably dilated and co-ossified, the two above-mentioned compartments being connected with the cavity formed by their fusion through a single left-sided orifice, the left bronchus springing from the membraniform cavity. The caeca are not quite equal in size, being 2 J and 1| inches long; the whole intestine measured 4 feet. 3. METOPIANA PEPOSACA (Vieill.): Sclater, Rev. Cat. Vert. p. 255. Of this bird Mr. Sclater mentions* that " it has a large bulbous expansion in the windpipe." This I have found in all the male specimens which I have examined. Its distance above the bifurcation of the bronchi is best estimated from the accompanying sketch (fig. 6, p. 155) which is of the natural size. A similar tracheal dilatation is to be observed in the male of Melanitta fusca, that in Clangula histrionica being much less considerable. In a male, purchased on the 6th of July, 1870, which died on the 7th of January last, the syringeal box (see figs. 6 & 7) is constructed on the same type as in Fuligula rufina and F. ferina, being mostly composed of membrane, with an intersecting, oblique, simple osseous bar running across near the upper margin of its outer side. There is also some dilatation of the consolidated rings which go to form the lower portion of the trachea; this is to be observed on both the right and left sides, the box being connected with the latter only. In the female no box is developed. The trachea narrows slightly above the syringeal box. * P. Z. S. 1868, p. 146. |