264< Mons. A. Milne-Edwards on the 



may be seen in the development of the inner and lower arti- 

 cular apophyses^ these last, in Tetrao urogallus, rising to a great 

 height behind the cranium. 



In the genus Ihis, there is no lower bony projection, besides 

 which, the hinder surface is deeply depressed, so as to give it a 

 very peculiar appearance. The Curlews are equally destitute of 

 a lower articular apophysis. 



The whole arrangement of the apophysis in our fossil much 

 recalls that which is proper to the Rallidce, and, in that family, 

 attains its maximum of development in Ocydromus, of which it 

 may be said with certainty that, of all the representatives of 

 the class of birds, it most approaches that of the very remarka- 

 ble bill found in Mauritius, where we find again a strong and 

 short inner apophysis, prolonged into a ridge as far as the 

 lower bony projection. This is clearly marked, though a little 

 more weakly than in our fossil. 



In the Coots, the articulation is arranged very nearly in the 

 same manner. Among the Gallinules [Tj'ibunyx and Por~ 

 phyrio) the lower apophysis projects less. In this respect 

 Apteryx differs much from our fossil ; for in the first the post- 

 articular apophysis is rudimentary and the lower angle is 

 rounded. 



If, according to the structure of the bill, we endeavour to 

 give an account of the habits and the food of the bird to which 

 it belongs, we shall see that the absence, or at least the little 

 development of the foramina, and of the channels giving pas- 

 sage to the nerves and vessels, will not allow us to attribute to 

 it the manners of the Ibises, Curlews, Godwits, or Woodcocks. 

 This pointed bill has a very close tissue, and somewhat resem- 

 bles that of Porphyrio and Ocydromus, recalling still more the 

 form of the mandibles in the Oyster-catchers, and apparently 

 adapted for crushing mollusks and their shells, animals on 

 which this bird probably fed. 



A glance at the bone of the foot (figs. 5, 6) is sufficient to con- 

 vince one that it belonged to a bird admirably adapted forwalking. 

 It is perfectly balanced ; without being too massive, it is very 

 stout ; the diaphysis is nearly as thick as broad, its angles are 

 rounded, and the anterior metatarsal furrow is but slightly 



