SOME OF THE OUTLIERS AMONG BIRDS. 



769 



though its internal structure, which has been carefully examined, 

 proves the relationship (see Fig. 4). Considerably larger than 

 Eurypijga, it has its head ornamented by a hanging crest of long 

 and soft feathers. Both its legs, which are rather long, and its 

 beak are of a livid red color. Its ample wings are marked 



Fig. 4. The Kagu {lihiiiochetus jiihatiiH). Drawn by the author alter Newton's figure. 



something after the pattern seen in the sun bittern, while its 

 chief body color is a pale slate, shading lighter below. Numer- 

 ous transverse bars embellish the tail, and these markings, 

 though far less distinct, are seen on the wing coverts also. Or- 

 dinarily it is a very passive bird, standing motionless for several 

 minutes at a time, when it will step off briskly for a short dis- 

 tance, only to again assume its attitude of rest. This is by no 

 means, however, the invariable behavior of this extraordinary 

 bird, for when aroused by excitement it will even quite outdo a 

 sun bittern in its extravagant and fantastic "show-off." Hold- 

 ing one of its wings or the extremity of its tail in the most 

 remarkable manner, it will violently spin about in giddy dance, 

 the like of which is never performed by any other known mem- 

 ber of the class Ai-'es. Unfortunately, this extremely interesting 

 type, it is now said, is becoming rapidly exterminated.* 



* It is not at all unlikely but that Mesites, the sun bitterns, and the kagu all sprang 

 I'rom some common, generalized, ancestral type long ages extinct, and that all the other 

 host of allies, save the three just mentioned, coming from the same common stock, have 

 also long since died out. Forbes seems to think that " the Malagash Mesitcs is perhaps 



