| OCR Text |
Show 530 MR. A. H. GARROD ON THE [June 3, the pectoral portion of the inferior tract in two parts, of which the inner approaches the carina sterni above and separates from it as it descends, in having the upper wing-surface uniformly feathered, and in having a large inftindibuliform oil-gland. In none of the Caprimulgidse does the inferior tract continue simple down the neck, whilst in Strix flammea as in Steatornis it does not bifurcate till in the region of the furcula. But Steatornis resembles the Caprimulgidae and differs from the Strigidae in having ten rectrices. It differs from both, however, in that the inferior portion of the dorsal tract does not unite at all with the scapular fork of the superior portion, in having the outer branch of the pectoral tract diffused and descending far over the abdomen, and in the general tendency to scattering of the feathers. In the skull the lachrymal bones are not developed as they are in the Strigidae and Caprimulgidae. The palate is strongly desmognathous, as in the Falconidae, and much more so than in the Strigidae, which are almost schizognathous. The palatine bones also meet a Fig. 2. b Skull of Steatornis. a, base; b, superior surface. across the middle line, for g of an inch, in a manner which is quite peculiar, and can be best understood by a reference to the drawing, each bone being apparently folded on itself behind the point of junction with its fellow, and articulating with the basisphenoid rostrum, as well as anchylosing with the vomer by its inflected and upward-turned margin ; each develops a very short slender anteriorly directed process close to the vomer, which projects forwards on each side of it near its middle. The vomer itself is a quarter of |
