Fossil Birds in the Marsh Collection of Yale University 39 



metatarsi of the forms found in this country were considerably longer 

 than in the Moas of New Zealand, which I have just named. ^ 



EOCEORNIS ARDETTA- geil. Ct Sp. nOV. 



{Plate XIII, Fig. 102.) 



Holotype. Cat. No. 891, Peabody Museum, Yale University. Henry's Fork 

 Wyoming. Eocene (Bridger). A. B. Waring, collector. 



This new genus and species is based on the fore part of a small 

 sternum in the Yale University Collection that is sufficiently char- 

 acteristic to make a reference for it. It came from some bird about 

 the size of a small Heron, and is fairly well preserved, being thoroughly 

 fossilized. It is of a pale, greenish-white color, and with scarcely any 

 matrix adhering to it. 



On the dorsal aspect there is developed a median, raised ridge, which 

 separates two well defined concavities, antero-posteriorly elongated. 

 The manubrium is very small, and its median anterior ridge is thin 

 and fine and continued downwards only a very short distance, the fore 

 part of the carina being elevated upon either side of it. 



What is most characteristic about this sternum is that its coracoidal 

 grooves decussate, the left one being above the right. This feature is 

 present also in the sterna of Apalornis and Ichthyornis, and at first I 

 was inclined to think that this bone belonged, in life, to some bird 

 either in the latter genus or one affined to it. Closer examination, 

 however, convinced me that this was not the case. 



Among modern birds there are those in which the coracoids 

 decussate in their sternal grooves, as for example the Herons and their 

 allies and in some Hawks. This sternum, upon comparison with 

 representatives of these birds, appears to be much nearer to the 

 Ardea stock, and it is for this reason that the placing of it in that group 

 was decided upon. 



1 Shufeldt, R. W. "The Biggest Bird That Ever Lived." Scientiiic American, 

 Vol. CX, No. 12, New York, N. Y., March 21, 1914, 248 and 249. (Full-page 

 outside cover design by Mr. Vincent Lynch, somewhat altered from my own 

 drawing.) This contribution when submitted by me was entitled "The largest 

 fossil bird known," and the title under which it appeared in the Scientific American 

 was not authorized, the change having been made by the editor without consulting 

 me; but this statement by no means implies that it is "the biggest bird that ever 

 lived," as the magazine in question would have its readers believe. 



2 Gen. name: Eocene, = Gr. 1701$, dawn -|- /caii/os, recent and Gr. a bird. Sp. 

 name: ardetta, diminutive of Ardea. 



