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Show 626 MR. A. H. GARROD ON [Junel7, MACRODIPTERYX SPERLTNGI, sp. n. Very like M. longipennis, but much larger, and differently marked on the wings and tail. The first primary has only three large rufous bars and a subterminal spot on the inner web ; and the outer tail-feather has only six broad ashy-white bars on the inner web. Total length 9*5 inches, wing 7*9, tail 5*4, tarsus 0*8. Hab. Bay of Malimba (R. M. Sperling). This new Goatsucker is strictly congeneric with Macrodipteryx longipennis, although, being shot out of season, it has not the long pennants. There are other differences in plumage besides those noticed ; but I have chosen the most distinguishable, as long descriptions are of little assistance in this group of birds. I have named this fine species after m y friend Commander Sperling, who shot the specimen at sea off the Bay of Malimba. 9. O n certain Muscles of the Thigh of Birds and on their value in Classification. By A. H . G A R R O D , B.A., F.Z.S., Prosector to the Society. Part I. [Received June 16, 1873.] In their works on the general anatomy of the animal kingdom Meckel and Cuvier have devoted special chapters to the myology of birds. The dissections on which their observations were based were evidently undertaken more with the desire to determine the relations borne by the muscles of birds to those of Mammalia and Reptiles, than with the object of studying the variations in the arrangement of the muscles in the class itself. Nitzsch, Reid, Owen, Milne-Edwards, Coues, Selenka, and others have published their dissections of certain birds, as the Vulture, Penguin, Apteryx, Eagle, and Loon ; and most of these are, from their accuracy and clearness, valuable additions to zoological knowledge. Sundevall seems to be the only ornithologist who has employed the variations that he has observed to be constant in different birds towards the furtherance of classification ; and m y results, on the points discussed by him, in most cases correspond with his. The great opportunities afforded m e by this Society for the study of a great many species of birds in the flesh, have reduced the difficulties connected with the dissection of any special soft part to a minimum ; and in the present communication the results are recorded of m y dissection of the region of the thigh of the birds which have passed through m y hands. In this region there are six muscles, or well-defined portions of muscles, which may or may not be present; and m y chief object has been to note their presence or absence, which in some cases is far from easy, as modifications may occur which disguise the true connexions of a muscle, and thus lead to misinterpretation. As a common Fowl happens to possess all these six muscles well developed and easily demonstrable, I will commence with a short |