542 



CHORDA TA 



it is probable that the Ratites have descended from carinate forms by loss of 

 power of flight. The anatomical distinctions between the various families lead 

 one to believe that they have arisen from different groups of carinates and hence 

 do not form a natural assemblage. 



Section I. STRUTHIONES, long humerus, legs and neck. STRUTHION- 

 ID., two-toed ostriches of Africa, Struthio. RHEHXE, South American three- 

 toed ostriches, Rhea. Section II. CASUARINA; three toes, humerus short. 

 Dromceus, emus; Casuarius, cassowaries. Section III. APTERYGES, bill 

 long, nostrils near tip, rudimentary wing skeleton; four toes. Apteryx, New 

 Zealand. The DINORXITHID^, three toes, wing skeleton absent; giant birds 

 of Xcw Zealand; now extinct, apparently contemporaneous with man. .Epior- 

 nis, a gigantic bird of Madagascar, possibly allied. Skeletons and eggs holding 

 two gallons found in alluvium. 



Order IV. Carinatae. 



The name refers to the presence of the keel to the sternum, correlated with 

 the powers of flight possessed by most species. Other characters are the pres- 

 ence of rectrices and remiges on tail and wings, and the fusion of clavicles to a 

 furcula. Some strong fliers, like the raptores and albatrosses, have but a small 



Fin ; 594. Fool forms (from Schmarda). a, semi-palmate, wading of Ciconia; 

 b perching of Turdus; r, rasorial of Phasianus; d, raptorial of Falco; e, adherent of 

 Lypselus; /, cursorial of Struthio; g, zygodactyl (scansorial) of Picus; h, lobate of 

 J'Hl'rrps; ,, bbate and scalloped of Fulica; k, palmate of Anas; I, totipalmate of 



carma; in many poor fliers the carina may be entirely absent. The furcula is 



ways present, the clavicles not uniting (many parrots and toucans) or 



absent (V esites}. The remiges are also degenerate in some, as in the 



(which are flightless, although they have a strong carina), where they 



