318 



NATURAL SCIENCE 



[November 



In 1868 Dr Murie, then Prosector of the Zoological Society, 

 published his " Observations on the presence and function of the 

 Gular Pouch in Otis kori and Otis australis." His remarks con- 

 cerning the former were based upon the examination of a specimen 

 which had recently died in the Gardens. In this, a distinct opening 

 was found under the tongue leading into a small pouch " three 

 inches in length and about an inch in transverse diameter." As 

 touching the latter, his observations were based entirely on a bird 

 then living in the Society's Gardens. Of this he writes that he was 

 pleased to find what he thinks " may be termed an exaggerated 

 example of this organ in the Australian Bustard." He continues : 

 " This ' showing off ' which is . . . a most extraordinary sight, may 

 best be comprehended by a study of the accompanying sketch 

 (fig. 2) drawn from nature during one of those paroxysmal periods 

 of excitement." 



Fig. 2.— The display of the Australian Bustard, Eupodotis [Otis] australis (after Murie). 

 [This block was reproduced from a photograph of a coloured lithograph, and is 

 unfortunately not very clear.] 



" The premonitory symptoms observable when the Bustard is 

 about to exhibit himself in the pride of lust ... is a slight 

 swelling of the inframandibular portion of the throat, while the 

 head is thrown upwards. Immediately afterwards the neck swells 

 and the feathers of the lower parts concomitantly bulge out and 

 descend gradually downwards in the form of a bag, oftentimes nearly 

 reaching the ground. 



