EwEN. — 0>i Moa-reviains on Biverton BeacJi. 



653 



It appears, therefore, that the smaller bird has a broader 

 cranium and slightly longer beak than the larger bird. There 

 are also the following differences between the two skulls : in 

 skeleton I. the basi-occipital is not so deep, and the mamillary 

 tuberosities are much more developed, than in skeleton II. ; 

 the par-occipital processes extend further backward, and the 

 supra-occipital ridge projects further over the condyle. The 

 temporal fossae are rtither shallower and narrower than in 

 No. II. ; and the squamosal processes are directed more 

 forward. Also, in No. I. the cranium is shorter in the basi- 

 sphenoidal region than in No. II., aline connecting the points 

 of the post-orbital processes passing close in front of the basi- 

 pterygoid processes. The pre-maxill« are longer and con- 

 siderably broader, and the mandible is longer and more 

 curved downward, in No. I. than in No. II. There are no 

 feather-pits on either skull. 



With reference to other parts of the skeleton : In No. I. 

 the toe-bones are smaller and the scapulo-coracoids are 

 stouter than in No. II. ; and there are considerable differences 

 in the hsemal ridges of the thoracic vertebrae. The pelves 

 and sterna are too imperfect for comparison. 



With No. I. skeleton only seven tracheal rings were 

 found ; they were of the hoop-like pattern, but were imper- 

 fectly ossified, being open in front, and were too fragile to 

 be preserved. Among the fragments of the sternum I found 

 nine small pieces of egg-shell, which had been picked up by 

 the collectors with the bones. There can, I think, be no 

 doubt but that this egg-shell was inside the bird when it 

 died, and that, consequently, it was a female ; for, as the 

 body was found on the sea-shore, it could not have been 

 sitting on a nest. This skeleton has been presented to the 

 Museum by Mr. Ewen. 



In No. II. skeleton the atlas vertebra is abnormal, as 

 it has no bony bridges for the vertebral arteries ; and the 

 seventh thoracic vertebra (No. 28) appears to have been an- 

 chylosed to the pelvic vertebrae, as it is missing. A numbei 

 of tracheal rings were found with the skeleton, and all are 



