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Show 420 DR. A. M A C A L I S T E R O N G Y R O P U S DICOTYLIS. [June 10, able rapprochement towards true Scolopax, though we think it best to keep it within the limits of Gallinago, its nearest structural allies being G. stricklandi and G. jamesoni, both of which have short robust tarsi and the tibiae feathered, as in the present species, nearly down to the tarsal joint. The wings of our single specimen of this bird are not in very perfect condition ; but, as far as we can tell, the third and fourth primaries would be rather longer than the first and second, and longest. The secondaries, as in all Snipes, are very long, and in the present bird quite reach to the points of the primaries when the wing is closed. The tail-feathers are likewise deficient, only three of them remaining in situ. These show no traces of transverse markings whatever, in which respect this bird is more like true Scolopax than Gallinago. But there are likewise no traces of the white terminations of the tail-feathers, which are so conspicuous in the Woodcocks. 3. Note on Gyropus dicotylis, a new Species of Parasite. By A L E X A N D E R M A C A L I S T E R , Demonstrator of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland*. The specimens of this insect which have been submitted to me were obtained from the skin of a Collared Peccary (Dicotyles torquatus) which died in the Dublin Zoological Gardens several years ago; and for the opportunity of examining and describing them I am indebted to Dr. Carte, Director of the Royal Dublin Society's Museum, and to Mr. Kirby, Assistant Curator, who kindly forwarded them to me. As far as I am aware, the species is a new one; and accordingly I have followed the practice usually adopted in the nomenclature of Anoplura and have named the parasite after its host. The specimens submitted to me were ten in number, of both sexes, and had been lying in spirits for some months. They accorded in all respects with the generic character of Gyropus given by Nitzsch (Thierinsekten, p. 44) and Denny, namely:-head depressed, scalelike, horizontal ; frontal and temporal margins sinuated ; mouth anterior; mandibles without teeth; maxillae obscure; labium and labrum produced, trapezoidal, entire; maxillary palpi long, rigid, conical, four-jointed ; labial palps none ; antennae four-jointed, capitate ; eye inconspicuous or none ; thorax of two segments ; abdomen of ten segments; tarsi two-jointed, ungues simple; two posterior limbs of each side long, curved to base of femur; stomach symmetrical. The specimens vary from * 1 5 to * 175 of an inch in length, the males being rather longer but narrower than the females. The head is broader than long. The clypeus is not marked with the deep frontal sinuosities which are visible in G. ovalis or gracilis. The temporal lobes are produced and acute, with their anterior margin slightly * Communicated by Dr. J. Murie. |
