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Show 1S99.] CRANIAL OSTEOLOGY OF THE PARROTS. 31 deep, the squamosal large but shallow. The paroccipital wiugs are continuous with the basitemporal ridges. The ridge running from the supra-occipital region to the outer and posterior margin of the paroccipital process, and separating the posterior from the lateral aspect of the skull, takes a somewhat sinuous course forwards behind the ear, so as to leave between it and the border of the meatus a much narrower interspace than in Psittacus and Eclectus; the same is true also of Conurus. The quadrate is very similar to that of Conurus. Descending processes are not present on the hinder border of the maxilla?. There is a small mandibular fenestra. Fig. 24. Caica melanocephula. Fig. 25. Quadrate bone of Caica melanocephala. Fig. 26. Pa-ocephalus fuscicapittus. The skull of Pionus is very similar. The interspace between the auditory meatus and the occipital ridge is still narrower. A deeper notch separates the paroccipitals from the basitemporal ridges. The shaft of the quadrate is shorter and stouter, and the anterior process more reduced. In Pachynus, Caica, and Poeocephalus the orbital ring is incom- |