254 



Genus ANOMALOPTERYX, Reichenbach '. 



Syn. Si/ornis, Eeichenbacli ^. 

 Cela, Eeicbenbacli ^ 

 Meionornis, Uaast '. 



The skull is narrow and vaulted, with a long, sharp, and slightly 

 deflected beak, which has a constricted preraaxillary ridge, and the 

 quadrate (as in the following genera) with a very small pneumatic 

 foramen (fig. 68). The mandible (fig. 55, B) is V-shaped, with a 

 slight inflection of the angle, and a distinct postarticular process, 

 the symphysis being very narrow and pointed, with a long and 

 narrow inferior ridge, not expanding markedly at either extremity. 

 The sternum (fig. Q'2) is longer, flatter, and narrower than in 

 Diiwniis, having no distinct xiphisternal notch, three costal articu- 

 lations, long and narrow costal processes, slender lateral processes 

 which are often elongated, and usually no coracoidal facets. The 



rig. 62. 



Anomalopferyx casuanna ? (A) and A. parva (B). 

 a. costal process ; b, lateral ditto. 



Sternum. 



pelvis (fig. 63) is wider and lower than in Dinornis, with the 

 lower border of the postacetabular portion of the ilium descending as 

 a sharp ridge much below the level of the sacral ribs, and without 

 any distinct pectineal process. A hallux is present ^ The tibio- 

 tarsus and tarso-metatarsus are relatively shorter and stouter than in 

 Dinornis ; the latter being shorter than the femur, which is usually 



' Nat. S3-st. Vogel, p. xxx (1852). — This generic term is selected instead of 

 Syornis, since the latter clashes with Sijnornis, Hodgson (1845). 

 ^ Loo. cit. ^ Loc. cit. 



* Ibis, ser. 3, vol. \v. p. 212 (1874). 

 " In the original definition of the genus Meio»orn>s said to be absent. 



