APPENDIX.
Anatomical description ofSerpophaga albo-coronata,Furnarius cunicularius,Uppucerthia dumetoria,Opetiorhynchus vulgaris,O. antarcticus,O. Patagonicus,Pteroptochos Tarnii,P. albicollis,Synallaxis maluroides,Phytotoma rara,Trochilus gigas,Tinochorus rumicivorus.[31]
BY T. C. EYTON, Esq., F.L.S., &c.
BY T. C. EYTON, Esq., F.L.S., &c.
BY T. C. EYTON, Esq., F.L.S., &c.
Tongue pointed, furnished with a few short bristles at the sides near the base. Trachea with the same muscles as among the warblers generally. Æsophagus slightly funnel-shaped; proventriculus much expanded at its entrance into the gizzard, which is rounded, not very muscular, inner coat slightly hardened, smooth. Intestine of moderate size, furnished with two rudimentary cæca.
The skeleton of this bird is precisely that of the smaller and weaker species of Laniadæ.
FURNARIUS CUNICULARIUS.G. R. Gray.(Male.)
Tongue, trachea, and œsophagus, as inUppucerthia. Proventriculus longer, and slightly contracted at its entrance into the gizzard, which is large, flattened, and muscular, more rounded than inOpetiorhynchus, lined with a rugose hardened coat, and filled with small seeds, and the remains of insects; intestines of small diameter, and furnished with two rudimentary cæca.
Sternum of nearly equal breadth, both posteriorly and anteriorly, but much narrowed in the middle, the portion to which the ribs are attached much elongated beyond their junction; posterior margin furnished with two deep fissures, slightly narrowed at their exit; keel deep, slightly rounded on its inferior edge, and much scolloped out anteriorly; pelvis broad and short, the os pubis projecting far backwards; the ischium terminating posteriorly in an acute process.
Os furcatum thin, much arched, furnished with a flattened reflexed process at its junction with the sternum; the points of the rami bent forwards at their junction with the coracoids.
Coracoids of moderate size and length, inserted deeply into the sternum; scapula of moderate size, broader near the extremity.
Tongue short, compared with the length of the bill, pointed, armed with a few spines at the base; trachea of moderate size, acted upon by one pair of sterno-tracheal muscles, which go off to the sternum, about ⅛ of an inch above the inferior larynx; from the upper ring of the bronchiæ on each side, a process proceeds upwards to the point from which the muscles diverge, to which point only the rings of the trachea are continued, two spaces therefore, one on the anterior, the other on the posterior side of the trachea, immediately above the bronchiæ, are left devoid of osseous matter, being bounded laterally by the process above mentioned, inferiorly by the upper rings of the bronchiæ, and superiorly by the lower ring of the trachea, which is slightly enlarged; œsophagus small, slightly dilated a little above the proventriculus, which is of moderate size, and not contracted before entering the gizzard; gizzard large, oval, very muscular, inner coat hardened, deeply furrowed longitudinally, and filled with the remains of insects; intestinal canal of moderate size, without cæca; rectum very slightly enlarged; liver bilobed.
With the exception of being larger thanFurnarius cunicularius, and in having the bill more bent and longer, the skeleton presents no material difference from that of the above-named bird.
The structure of the soft parts, both in this species ofOpetiorhynchus, and the two following ones, so closely resemble that ofFurnariusandUppucerthia, that one description will almost serve for the whole; those differences that do exist being not more than are generally found in species of the same genus; the external characters also being slight, I cannot but doubt the propriety of separating them; the cæca are slightly developed in this species, measuring ⅛ inch in length.
Skeleton similar in form to that ofFurnarius cunicularius.
Structure of the soft parts as inO. vulgaris, but with the rectum of rather larger diameter, and the cæca very minute; gizzard filled with the remains of insects.
Skeleton similar in form toFurnarius cunicularius, and the other species of this genus.
No difference in the structure of the soft parts from the other species of the genus before spoken of. The trachea, however, does not differ from the ordinary simple form found in most birds, but differs fromO. vulgarisandO. antarcticus, in having the lower rings continued to the bronchiæ it is acted upon by one pair of muscles; no cæca are apparent.
Skeleton in form similar to that ofFurnarius cunicularius, and the other species of this genus.
Remarks:—the last five species approach so nearly, that I doubt the propriety of separating them generically. The skeletons are only distinguishable with the exception of the form of the bill, by the proportions between the different admeasurements.
Tongue pointed, armed with two strong lateral spines, and a few intermediate smaller ones at the base; œsophagus largest at the upper extremity, and gradually becoming smaller towards the proventriculus; no vestige of a craw; proventriculus of moderate size, not much contracted towards the gizzard, which is also of moderate size, and much flattened; not very muscular, and lined with a hardened coat, rugose longitudinally; the gizzard was filled with smallpebbles, and a coarse black powder, probably the remains of insects; intestinal canal small; cæca rudimental; rectum large, becoming more expanded towards the cloaca, which is also large; trachea of equal diameter throughout, furnished with one pair of sterno-tracheal muscles, a portion of each of which is continued downwards to the upper rings of the bronchiæ, on which it expands; liver two-lobed.
The pelvis and ribs of this bird were much damaged; sternum of equal breadth posteriorly and anteriorly, slightly contracted on its lateral edge, near the middle indented on its posterior margin with four deep fissures, the outer ones largest; a large triangular process projecting forwards between the junctions of the coracoids, bifid at the apex; the coracoids themselves very strongly articulated to the sternum, the sides of the sternum to which the ribs are articulated projecting in the form of a process far beyond the junction of the coracoids; the sternal keel is narrow, and has its edge straight; the coracoids are long, thin, with very slight external lateral processes at their junction with the sternum; os furcatum very thin, roundish, a very slight process on the point at which it approaches nearest to the sternum, very slightly arched.
Scapula broad, flattened, much widened at about one-third of its length from the hinder extremity; wing bones short, and weak; leg bones long, and strong; the fibula much developed.
Trachea, tongue, Å“sophagus, gizzard, and liver of the same form as inPterotochos Tarnii. The contents of the gizzard also did not differ.
Only the body, after skinning, of the species, was brought home by Mr. Darwin.
The skeleton of this species does not differ in anything but admeasurements from that ofPterotochos Tarnii; the pelvis, however, being so much damaged in that species, that I was not able to make many notes upon it, I shall give a description of that part in the present one.
Pelvis of moderate size; the ossa pubis and ischium much expanded, and elongated posteriorly, and placed nearly perpendicular to the plane of the ilium, ischiatic foramina large; two large processes arise on the ilium on each side of the junction of the caudal vertebræ for the attachment of the levator muscles of the tail.
Remarks:—Both this and the foregoing bird are most curious; it is difficult to say in what order they ought to be placed, the external form being equally ambiguous with the internal structure.
The digestive organs nearly agree with that of many insessorial birds; the pelvis also approaches nearly in form to that of the thrush; the sternum, however, differs altogether from any form found in that order, and is precisely that of aPicus. The coracoids are lengthened; the os furcatum is furnished with only a slight process where it approaches the sternum, in which particulars, also in the form of the ribs, it agrees with thePicidæ.
Having found the internal structure so curious, and so contrary to what I expected, I was led to examine the external more minutely than I had before done. The same form of claw is found in several species among the cuckoos, in the genusPelophilus, for instance; the two outer toes are zygodactyle, being united together as far as the first joint; the bill, at first sight, might be taken for that of a gallinaceous bird; but in searching among the orderScansores, for some resemblance, I find the same structure in several of the cuckoo family, with the exception of the nostrils being nearer to the apex of the bill inPterotochos. The Australian genusMenurais, probably, allied to this, but differs in the structure of the nostrils.[32]
Tongue pointed, furnished at the base with two strong spines, the sides of which are armed with smaller ones; trachea, œsophagus, and proventriculus as inFurnariusandUppucerthia; gizzard rounded, not very muscular, lined with a slightly hardened smooth coat, and filled with the remains of insects; intestinal canal of moderate size and length, furnished with two rudimentary cæca.
The parts of the skeleton of this bird which I was able to preserve, were more closely allied to the corresponding ones of Troglodytes than to those of any other genus in my possession, but differ in the following particulars: the lateral processes of the sternum bounding the posterior fissures are not so much expanded, consequently the fissures themselves are smaller; the keel is rather deeper; the portion to which the ribs are attached does not project so far forwards, but theprocess between the coracoids is rather longer; the interocular portion of the cranium is also rather broader than in the above mentioned genus; the pelvis, coracoids, and scapula agree both in shape and size with Troglodytes.
This bird being injured about the sexual organs, I could not ascertain the sex. Tongue pointed, armed at the base on each side with a flattened tricuspid spine; trachea small, of uniform diameter throughout its whole length, acted upon by one pair of sterno-tracheal muscles; œsophagus funnel-shaped at the upper extremity, when distended capable of containing a common pencil, at its junction with the proventriculus much smaller; proventriculus scarcely perceptible; gizzard small, consisting of little more than a thick skin, inner coat hardened; the entrance of the œsophagus, and the exit of the intestine placed very near together at the upper extremity of it; intestinal canal very short, and of large diameter, entirely devoid of cæca; the whole length with the gizzard and œsophagus distended with a stringy substance, resembling coarse spun cotton cut into short lengths.
Sternum of nearly equal breadth, both posteriorly and anteriorly, much narrowed near the middle; posterior margin nearly straight, indented with two large fissures, narrowed at their exit; between the junctions of the coracoids furnished with a bifid process; the portion of the sternum to which the ribs are attached, continued anteriorly beyond the junction of the coracoids; keel of moderate size; coracoids long, not very strong; os furcatum long, slightly arched, furnished with a flattened process, turned inwards at the point it approaches the sternum.
Pelvis broad, and short, narrowest anteriorly, the os pubis and ischium continued far backwards, beyond the junction of the caudal vertebræ; ribs strong, and flattened; posterior process large; scapula long, broadest near the extremity; legs of moderate strength, the internal processes of the tibia large, and flattened; bones of the cranium strong.
Remarks:—The skeleton and soft parts of this bird very nearly resemble those of the genusLoxia, but differ in their superior size, in having the fissures on the posterior margin of the sternum not so deep, and in the margin itself being straighter, the coracoids larger, and in having the process at the end of the os furcatum approaching the sternum smaller than in that genus. The ribs also are stronger.
Tongue bifid, each division pointed; hyoids very long, in their position resembling those in thePicidæ; trachea of uniform diameter; destitute of muscles of voice; bronchia very long; œsophagus funnel-shaped, slightly contracted on approaching the proventriculus, which is small, and scarcely perceptible; gizzard small, moderately muscular, the inner coat slightly hardened, and filled with the remains of insects; intestine largest near the gizzard; I could not perceive a vestige of cæca.
Sternum with the keel very deep, its edge rounded, and projecting anteriorly; posterior margin rounded, and destitute of indentation or fissure; the ridges to which the pectoral muscles have their attachment, large and prominent, the horizontal portion much narrowed anteriorly, consequently the junctions of the coracoids are very near together.
Pelvis short, very broad; os pubis long, curved upwards at the extremities, projecting far downwards, and posteriorly beyond the termination of the caudal vertebræ; the ischiatic foramen small, and linear; femora placed far backwards; coracoids short, very strong, their extremities much diverging; os furcatum short, slightly arched near the extremities of the rami, which are far apart, furnished with only a small process on its approach to the sternum; scapula flattened, long, broadest near the extremity; humerus, radius, and ulna short, the metacarpal bones longer than either; the former furnished with ridges much elevated for the attachment of the pectoral muscles; caudal and dorsal vertebræ with the transverse processes long, and expanded; cranium of moderate strength, the occipital portion indented with two furrows, which pass over the vertex, and in which the hyoids lie; orbits large, divided by a complete bony septum; the lachrymal bones large, causing an expansion of the bill near the nostrils.
Remarks:—The skeleton of this bird does not differ in form from that ofTrochilus pella, figured at page 270 of the Cyclopædia of Anatomy and Physiology. The whole of the group are more nearly allied to fissirostral birds than any other.
TINOCHORUS RUMICIVORUS.Eschsch.(Male.)
Trachea of uniform diameter, furnished with one pair of sterno-tracheal muscles, from which a few fibres descend on each side to the upper rings of the bronchiæ; œsophagus of large diameter to about half its length, where it is furnished with a craw, and afterwards contracted to the proventriculus; the craw where it is connected with the œsophagus is much contracted, afterwards it expands into a large sac; proventriculus small; gizzard large, and very muscular; the grinding surfaces hard, concave in the middle, and furnished with longitudinal grooves in the concave part; the intestinal canal is of moderate length, small next the gizzard, largest at the entrance of the cæca, from whence it slightly tapers to the cloaca, which is small; cæca long, of greatest diameter at the opposite extremity to their entrance into the rectum; the gizzard and œsophagus were filled with reeds, mixed with very small pebbles; liver bilobed.
A second specimen, a female, did not differ, except in sex. Skeleton light; bones in general thin.
Sternum broadest posteriorly, and indented on its posterior margin with two large fissures; keel deep, its inferior edge rounded, much scolloped out anteriorly; a moderate size bifid manubrial process between the junction of the coracoids.
Pelvis broad, of moderate length, similar to that found among the genusStrepsilas.
Os furcatum much arched, furnished with a small flattened process, where the ligament unites it to the sternum; coracoid of moderate length, strong, furnished with a large process externally near their junction with the sternum; ribs flattened, posterior process long, slightly curved, and narrow.
Remarks. The bill of this curious bird much resembles that of the genusGlareola, but the soft skin covering the nostrils is more developed, in which respect it resembles the quails, and other gallinaceous birds. The structure of the tarsi, feet, and nails approach near to that ofStrepsilas, but differ in the latter being sharper, and in the scales on the feet and tarsi being more apparent, which may, perhaps, have been caused to a certain degree by the bird having been for a long while in spirits.
The wing has precisely the same structure as inGlareola, and some of the plovers.
The tail is more lengthened than among the plovers, but not more so than inGlareola praticola, which species has, however, the tail forked, but some of the same genus, as the last named bird, although it is not so long in them, have it in the same shape as inTinochorus,—asGlareola Australis.
The structure of the digestive organs is altogether that of a gallinaceous bird; the skeleton, however, agrees scarcely in any particular with that order, approaching closely to that of the waders. The sternum differs from any gallinaceous bird with which I am acquainted, in wanting entirely the strong lateral process, and in the fissures on the posterior margin being much smaller; the nearest approach in form which I have been able to find, is that ofMachetes, from which, if it were not for the superior size of the latter, it could scarcely be distinguished.
The pelvis agrees so perfectly with that ofStrepsilas interpres, and theCharadriidæin general, as not to require farther remark.
The remainder of the skeleton resembles both the plovers and sandpipers.
I much regret that I have never had an opportunity of dissecting a specimen ofGlareola, to which the genus,Tinochorus, appears closely allied, and I believe that they will form a connecting link between the ordersGrallatoresandRazores.