^°''u k!^ ] Shufeldt, Ma/erial for a Siiidy of the Megapodiidce. 123 



As for the shaft, it is smooth and somewhat compressed trans- 

 versely, and presents the usual sigmoid curve seen in the humeri 

 of Gallinaceous fowls generally. 



At the distal extremity, the trochleae for radius and ulna arc 

 strongly developed, and there is a well-marked ])it for the 

 insertion of tlu' hradiialis anticus muscle. 



The ectepi- and cntepi-condylar apophyses ari' not con- 

 spicuously produced, though the first-named one, as is usually 

 the case, is better produced than the one on the ulnar side. 



This humerus has an extreme length of 72 millimeters, while 

 that of the radius equals 74 nun. and the ulna 80 mm. In the 

 articulated wing the radius projects beyond the humerus exactly 

 one centimeter. This bone of the antibrachium is rather slender 

 in its proportions, decidedly straight from end to end, and, in 

 the main, subcylindrical in form, in so far as its shaft is concerned. 

 The ulna has fully three times the cahbre of the radius, and its 

 shaft presents a very considerable degree of curvature from one 

 extremity to the other, especially along its proximal moiety, 

 where it presents a big and bulky extremity for articulation with 

 the humerus. Faint papillae occur in a line down the shaft, 

 which are intended for the insertion of the quill-butts of the 

 secondary feathers of the wing. 



The two carpal bones of the wrist — nidialc and iilnarc — present 

 nothing worthy of note, as they depart but little from the character 

 of those elements in general among Gallinaceous birds. 



Skeleton of mamis has a total length of 65 millimeters, the carpo- 

 metacarpits alone measuring 39 millimeters. 



The process on the main shaft of the carpo-nietacarpits, near its 

 head, on the posterior side, to which the tendon of the flexor 

 metacarpi radiaUs muscle is attached — so conspicuous in some 

 (jallinaceous birds — is here quite rudimentary. 



Another point to be noted is that the posterior extension of 

 the proximal phalanx of the index digit is extremely thin, and 

 allows light to pass readily through it. This is likewise the case 

 in Callus and other fowls. Indeed, the skeleton of the wing of 

 Callus bankiva is very much like the one I am now describing as 

 belonging to Megapodius nicobariensis. One may be satisfied of 

 this fact by comparing fig. 21 of the present paper with fig. 17 

 of my " Osteology of the Callince," published in Bulletin No. 130 

 of the State Museum of Albany (1909). Pollex phalange bears a 

 claw in Callus, and the same is found to be the case in this 

 Megapode. Owen also mentions this as being a character of the 

 manus of the Mound-Bird.* 



The Pelvic Limb (Plate XL, fig. 20). --As is the case with the 

 humerus in the pectoral limb, the femur of the skeleton of the 



* Owen, Sir Richard, " Anat. of Verts.," vol. ii., p. 74. The phalanx 

 which this eminent anatomist designated as the index is here considered to 

 be the pollex. In other words. Professor Owen considered that the index, 

 medius. and annularis digits were those found in a bird's hand, while I 

 consider the phalanges represented to be pollex, index, and medius. 



