OCR Text |
Show 200 MR. J. G. GOODCHILD ON THE [Apr' 6, normal Ciconiine pattern, represented by that of Dissura maguari (fig. 31), leads the way through Mycteria (fig. 32), to Leptoptilus Fig. 31. Fig. 32. Dissura. Mycteria. (fig. 33), which, in respect of the feature under consideration, stands midway between the Ciconiine birds and the Tubinares. Between the style of the median cubital coverts in Leptoptilus and that of Fig. 33. the Cathartidae (fig. 34), I have hitherto failed to detect any difference of importance in respect of the feature specially under notice. So far as the imbrication of the wing-coverts is concerned, Leptoptilus and the Cathartidae might even stand in the same family. How far the purely superficial feature at present specially under notice can be regarded as affording data of any value in corroborating the view advocated by Messrs. Garrod and Forbes that there is a close genetic affinity between the Storks and Petrels on the one hand and the Cathartidae on the other, must be left to competent zoologists to judge. After a careful examination of living specimens of Diomedea, Ossi-fraga, Puffinus, Fregata, Leptoptilus, Cathartes, Sarcorhamphus, and |