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Show 302 PROF, HUXLEY ON T H E ALECTOROMORPHAE. [May 14, I have not sufficient materials to decide the point; but the Odon-tophorincc appear to go with Perdix. . In the proper Phasianince (Phasianus, Thaumalea) and in Pucrasia, the pelvis has reached an indifferent point, being neither specially Tetraonine nor specially Galline; but that of the Lopho-phorinee (Lophophorus, Tetraogallus) is more decidedly Galline. The Peacocks are the most aberrant forms of this series, from the curious modification of the postacetabular area of the pelvis. The costal processes of the sternum are obtuse and relatively short, the acromion is somewhat recurved, and the backward process ot the second metacarpal is small. In several of these circumstances they come nearer Numida than any other of the Gallotetraonine series do. On the other hand, they seem to be closely allied to Lophophorus, in which genus the pelvis exhibits a tendency towards the Pavonine form, and the acromion is slightly recurved. II. The relations of the Pteroclidce and Hemipodidae to the true Alectoromorphse. In almost all those respects in which the Grouse differ from the Fowls they approach the Pigeons; and an absolute transition between these groups is effected bv the Pteroclidce, whose popular name of "Sand-Grouse" might fitly be exchanged for that of "Pigeon- Grouse." 1. I find the vertebrae in the cervical, dorsal, lumbar, and sacral regions to have the same number in Pterocles and Syrrhaptes as in the Alectoromorphce; and ankylosis takes place in the same manner. The Peristeromorphcc in general agree with the Alectoromorphce in having the penultimate dorsal free. Very often the last cervical is ankylosed with the first dorsal; but in this respect, as in the number of dorsal vertebrae (defined by the connexion of the ribs with the sternum), individual variations are common among the Pigeons. On the other hand, the total number of cervico-dorsal vertebrae appears to be very constant, viz. nineteen-or two fewer than the number (twenty-one) so generally met with in the Alectoromorphce. The fifteenth vertebra is very generally ankylosed with the sixteenth and seventeeth; the eighteenth appears always to be free, the nineteenth always ankylosed with the lumbar series. The fifteenth vertebra is very generally the last cervical; but sometimes it becomes connected with the sternum by a sternal rib, and then must be counted as first dorsal *. In one specimen of Goura the sixteenth is cervical. 2. In the skull, the palatines, the maxillo-palatines, and the mandibles resemble the corresponding parts in the Alectoromorphce ; the * I find the vertebral formula of ordinary Pigeons and of Didunculus to be:- C. fourteen, D. five, L. three, Sacrals and TJrosacrals ten, Free caudals six. Goura coronata has C. fifteen or sixteen, D. four or three, L. three, Sacrals and TJrosacrals twelve, Free caudals six. In the increased number of the sacral and urosacral vertebra; Goura resembles Didus, which also has twelve of these vertebrae. |