The proximal end of humerus (YPM 850) that is the holotype of Graculavus pumilis was considered by Shufeldt (1915:19) definitely to be from a limicoline charadriiform. It is from a bird exactly the size of Telmatornis priscus and its coloration and preservation would not be incompatible with its being the opposite end of the same bone as the holotype of T. affinis ([Figure 5b,c,f,g]). The following differences between the holotypical humeri of G. velox and _"G." pumilis establish that these belong to different genera: (1) in velox the area dorsal to the ventral tubercle and distal to the head is much more excavated, undercutting the head; (2) the dorsal tubercle is more pronounced; (3) there is a distinct excavation distomedial to the ventral tubercle, lacking in pumilis; (4) the ventral tubercle in ventral view is much more produced in velox than in pumilis.
The holotype of G. pumilis is very similar to the humerus in the Burhinidae but differs from that family and agrees with Graculavus in characters 8, 9, and 10 ([p. 6]). It differs further from the Burhinidae in having the area for the attachment of M. scapulohumeralis caudalis extending farther distally in ventral view. It differs from Presbyornis mainly in lacking the excavation to and undercutting the head. Because pumilis is not congeneric with Graculavus velox and because of its size and similarities with the Burhinidae and Presbyornis, we have no hesitation about considering Graculavus pumilis Marsh, 1872, to be a junior subjective synonym of Telmatornis priscus Marsh, 1870.
The proximal end of an ulna, NJSM 11900 ([Figure 5j]), is from a bird the size of Burhinus vermiculatus and not too dissimilar to it except that the shaft is more robust in the fossil. The specimen is too imperfect to merit detailed study and is referred to Telmatornis priscus only on size and probability.
The very fragmentary distal end of carpometacarpus associated with the type of G. pumilis ([Figure 5i]) is slightly larger and more robust than in Burhinus vermiculatus, but not so much as to be incompatible with T. priscus. Compared to Burhinus (1) the symphysial area is deeper and (2) the articular surface for the major digit is proportionately larger, the specimen being somewhat more similar to the carpometacarpus in Presbyornis.
The three specimens of Palaeotringa Marsh from the Cretaceous of New Jersey are based on poorly preserved distal ends of tibiotarsi. The holotype of Palaeotringa vetus Marsh, 1870 ([Figure 7n]) is similar in size to the comparable element in Burhinus vermiculatus, though with a relatively more slender shaft, and hence is from a bird the size of T. priscus, being smaller than any of the other species of Palaeotringa. It is more similar to Presbyornis than to Burhinus. Because it is from a charadriiform the size of T. priscus, as first revisers we tentatively consider Palaeotringa vetus Marsh, 1870, to be a subjective synonym of Telmatornis priscus Marsh, 1870. The only alternative would be to consign it to Aves incertae sedis. It is of passing historical interest to recall Marsh's (1870:209) comment that the type of Palaeotringa vetus "apparently was the first fossil bird-bone discovered in this country," having been mentioned both by Morton (1834) and Harlan (1835) as belonging to the genus Scolopax (Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae).
The distal portion of tarsometatarsus NJSM 11853 ([Figure 7d,g,f]) is unfortunately quite abraded. It is from a small charadriiform and has a shaft width about the same as in Burhinus vermiculatus. If this fossil came from an individual of Telmatornis priscus, as we assume, T. priscus being the smallest and most abundant "graculavid" in the New Jersey Cretaceous deposits, then it is a very instructive specimen, for it differs much more from Burhinus than does the humerus of Telmatornis. NJSM 11853 differs from the Burhinidae and agrees with Presbyornis in having (1) the distal foramen proportionately large and oval, not very small and circular; (2) a large, well-developed scar for the hallux (hallux absent in Burhinidae); (3) external trochlea proximodistally more elongate. That which remains of the inner trochlea indicates that it was (1) somewhat more posteriorly retracted than in Burhinus but (2) not nearly as elevated and retracted as in Presbyornis.
Pedal phalanx ANSP 15541 ([Figure 7a]) is from a bird the size of T. priscus. This specimen is much longer and more slender than phalanx 1 of digit II in Burhinus vermiculatus but has almost exactly the shape and proportions of the same element in Presbyornis ([Figure 7b]), although being much smaller. Although its assignment to Telmatornis is very tentative, the length of this element seems to indicate a wading bird as opposed to one with the terrestrially adapted shorter toes of the Burhinidae.
Genus Anatalavis, new genus
Type-Species.—Telmatornis rex Shufeldt, 1915.
Included Species.—Type-species only.