OCR Text |
Show 232 DR. H. GADOW ON THE [Mar. 15, Of the 26 positive points not less than 19 are common to Falconidse, Psittaci, and Coccyges. In the remaining 7 points Psittaci and Falconidae agree together against Coccyges, namely nestlings, downs of young and adult, fifth cubital, temporal fossa, fleshy tongue, convolutions of intestines. Most of these characters seem important, especially the woolly nestlings, considering that. Psittaci breed in holes, and agree in the convolutions in spite of the totally different food. On the other hand, the sifting of the 14 negative characters shows that in 13 of them the Parrots agree with Cuculidae or with Muso-phagidee, or with both, and differ along with the Coccyges from the Falconidae. The syrinx is an absolute specialization. Fuerbringer remarks that powder-downs, ceroma, and beak speak for Falconidae against Coccyges. Again, Psittaci and Falconidae differ greatly in the formation of the furcula, in nearly the whole of the muscular system, and in the bones of the wings and legs. Conclusion.-The Psittaci are much more nearly allied to the Coccyges than to the Falconidae, and of the Coccyges the Muso-phagidae are nearer than the Cuculidae because of the vegetable food, ventral pterylosis, presence of aftershaft, tufted oil-gland, absence of vomer, truncated mandible, and absence of cseca. II. Comparison of Psittaci, Coraciidce, and Coccyges, based by Fuerbringer chiefly upon the pterylosis, anterior lateral process of the sternum, procoracoid process, clavicular connexion, hypotarsus, shortness of metatarsus, many muscles of the shoulder and thigh. He observes, however, that the greater number of characters is against this relationship. The comparison made by m e is given in the Table now before us (see p. 233). III. Comparison of Psittaci and Striges. 22 characters agree, 18 differ ; the latter are :- Toes.. . Striges more primitive, although ectamphibolic. Downs of adult in Striges only upon apteria. Ventral pterylse. 10 primaries. Striges with 11, i. e. more primitive. Aftershaft large. Tufted oil-gland. Desmognathous. Striges more primitive. Vomer. Striges more primitive. Basipterygoid processes. Striges more primitive. Temporal fossa. Coracoids overlapping in Striges. |