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Show 1881.] ON THE ANATOMY OF THE JAQANAS. 639 EXPLANATION OF PLATE LVI. Fig. 1. Ovulum vidleri, p. 638. 2. Cancellaria wilmeri, p. 637. 3. Conus prevosti, p. 636. 4. thomasi, p. 635. 5. gloynei, p. 637. 6. lombei, p. 637. 7. bocki, p. 636. 8. Cyprcea pyriformis, var. smithi, p. 638. 3. Notes on the Anatomy and Systematic Position of the Jacanas (Parridce). By W . A. FORBES, B.A., Prosector to the Society. [Eeceived April 8, 1881.] It having lately been my good fortune to dissect two specimens of Parra jacana, from Pernambuco, and an eviscerated specimen of Metopidius africanus, as well as to examine skeletons and skins of some other species of this group, a few notes on their anatomy m ay be acceptable to the Society, the more so on account of the very considerable difference of opinion that has hitherto existed amongst systematic ornithologists as to the true relationships of this group. Two main views on this subject have been put forward, one placing the Jaganas near the Rails {Ballida?), the other asserting that they are, essentially, modified Plovers. The former of these views has been maintained by Jerdon l, Sundevall2, and Milne-Edwards3, to mention only some of the most recent ornithological writers of importance, as well as by the illustrious Nitzsch in his classical memoir on the pterylography of birds4. The latter view has been adopted by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin in their ' Nomenclator,' where the Parridse are interpolated between the G^dicnemidse and the Charadriidae as members of the order " Limicolee" 5. The late Prof. Garrod, 1 Birds of India, iii. p. 707. 2 Tentamen, p. 130 (1872). 3 Oiseaux Fossiles, ii. p. 110 (1869-71). 4 Pterylography, Ray Society's edition, p. 126. 5 Op. cit. p. 142 (London, 1873). Tbe term " Limicolce " was, I believe, originally used by Nitzsch (Pterylogr. p. 194) to include the birds now included in the " families " Charadriida? and Scolopacida?, together with some aberrant forms, such as Dromas, Cursorius, Thinocorus, &c. By Messrs. Sclater and Salvin its use is still further extended to include the GIdicnemidaj, Parridjs, and Chionididse in addition. Lastly, Prof. Garrod used it (P. Z. S. 1874, p. 122, &c.) as a term for all the non-columbine " Charadriiformes," including in it, besides Nitzsch's groups, the Cranes, Auks, Gulls, and, presumably, the Turnicidae, Rhinochetida?, Plataleidas, and Parridas as well. In fact, Gar-rod's restricted "family" Charadriidas corresponds pretty nearly to the whole of Nitzsch's " Limicolaa seu Scolopacinas." To obviate further confusion, the term " Limicolae " should be restricted to the group mentioned by Nitzsch ; and I propose to substitute, as a name for the non-columbine Charadriiformes (the " Limicolae" of Garrod) the word " Pluviales," tocorrespond with the other division, " Columbse" (including the Columbidse and Pteroclidaa), of that great group. |