Illustration: Fig. 29—Furcula of Pigeons.
In the bones of the extremities I could detect no difference, except in
their proportional lengths; for instance, the metatarsus in a Pouter
was 1·65 inch, and in a Short-faced Tumbler only ·95 in length; and
this is a greater difference than would naturally follow from their
differently-sized bodies; but long legs in the Pouter, and small feet
in the Tumbler, are selected points. In some Pouters the _scapula_ is
rather straighter, and in some Tumblers it is straighter, with the apex
less elongated, than in the rock-pigeon: in fig. 28, the scapula of the
rock-pigeon (A), and of a short-faced Tumbler (B), are given. The
processes at the summit of the _coracoid,_ which receive the
extremities of the furculum, form a more perfect cavity in some
Tumblers than in the rock-pigeon: in Pouters these processes are larger
and differently shaped, and the exterior angle of the extremity of the
coracoid, which is articulated to the sternum, is squarer.
The two arms of the _furculum_ in Pouters diverge less, proportionally
to their length, than in the rock-pigeon; and the symphysis is more
solid and pointed. In Fantails the degree of divergence of the two arms
varies in a remarkable manner. In fig. 29, B and C represent the
furcula of two Fantails; and it will be seen that the divergence in B
is rather less even than in the furculum of the short-faced,
small-sized Tumbler (A), whereas the divergence in C equals that in a
rock-pigeon, or in the Pouter (D), though the latter is a much larger
bird. The extremities of the furculum, where articulated to the
coracoids, vary considerably in outline.
In the _sternum_ the differences in form are slight, except in the size
and outline of the perforations, which, both in the larger and lesser
sized breeds, are sometimes small. These perforations, also, are
sometimes either nearly circular, or elongated as is often the case
with Carriers. The posterior perforations occasionally are not
complete, being left open posteriorly. The marginal apophyses forming
the anterior perforations vary greatly in development. The degree of
convexity of the posterior part of the sternum differs much, being
sometimes almost perfectly flat. The manubrium is rather more prominent
in some individuals than in others, and the pore immediately under it
varies greatly in size.
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