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Show 1885.] TROCHILIDA, CAPRI MULGIDA, AND CYPSELID^E. 913 Vomer has its rather pointed anterior end resting between maxillo-palatines in this genus ; broadly rounded and free in Phalanoptilus ; truncated in Caprimulgus (Huxley). Palatines broad, and with rounded postero-external angles, anchylosed together at their heads (separated in P. nuttalli). Basipterygoid processes present. Mandible has the ramal portions in slender pieces from the slender dentary part. Basibranchials of hyoidean apparatus co-ossify in this genus, but are in two pieces in P. nuttalli. 2. Sternum broadly 1-notched ; carina deep; no manubrium. 3. Bones of pectoral limb harmoniously proportioned, and present no special peculiarities. The radius and ulna are considerably longer than humerus. Patella absent in pelvic limb. Hypotarsus of metatarsus impierced for tendons. Formula for podal digits 2, 3, 4, 4. Of PANYPTILA SAXATILIS :-Characters of, 1, the skull essentially agreeing with those given by Huxley for Cypselus apus, and presented in detail above,, 2. The spinal column contains 35 vertebrae and a pygostyle. Xiphioidal border of sternum entire and rounded ; carina moderately deep only. A manubrium of no small size is developed. Coracoids and scapulae in the shoulder-girdle something like the Swallows, but furculum has the abutments on the outer sides of the clavicular heads for the coracoids. 3. Shaft of humerus short, radial crest curled towards the humeral head. Non-pneumatic. Ulna and radius both straight, the former considerably longer than the humerus. (Sesamoids absent in the arm 1) Carpo-metacarpus large and longer than the antibrachium. Digits normal and differing in form entirely from Trochilus. Skeleton of pelvic limb characteristic. Lower end of tibio-tarsus peculiarly twisted. Pro- and ectocnemial ridges not developed (negative character). No patella. Fibula does not extend below the articular ridge of the other leg-bone (this is also the case in some Parrots, Conurus). Hypotarsus of tarso-metatarsus containing one deep groove. Formula for digits of pes, 2, 3, 3, 3, as in all the Cypselidae. CONCLUSIONS. Huxley's investigations of this group in 1867, led him to believe that " the Caprimulgidee come near Trogon, and more remotely approach Podargus and the Owls." Six years afterwards Garrod threw not a little light upon this question by his careful dissections of Steatornis, although this talented anatomist still left that bird's position in the system a matter of doubt. M y own studies of the skeletons of these forms, including Surnia funerea and many other Owls, strongly incline me to the opinion that one group should be made to contain all the typical Caprimul-gine forms, as well as Nyctibius, Steatornis, and, no doubt, others, as Podargus and Psalurus, the skeletons of which I have not yet examined. Such a group, or an order, might be well termed the C A P R I M U L G I |