2D4 



GRUIFORMES 



strong ; the liill is Heron-like, but somewhat flat above, with a 

 wide nasal groove. The sternum is weak and narrow, having no 

 posterior notch ; the furcula is U-shax^ed ; the legs are moderately 

 long and slender, the toes Eail-like, with curved claws ; the tibia 

 is half bare, the metatarsus scutellated, with smaller scales behind. 

 The wings are moderate, broad, and rounded, though less developed 

 than in Euryjyyga, the primaries being ten in number, and the 

 secondaries — of which the inner exceed the primaries — thirteen; 



Fig. 55.— Kagu. Rhuiochctus juh^dns. x i. 



the tail is fairly long and ample, with twelve rectrices. The 

 aftershaft is large ; the nostrils are impervious, contrary to 

 the rule in the Order, being severally overhung by a peculiar 

 roUed-up membrane, said to protect them when the beak is thrust 

 into the soil ; the tongue is lanceolate. Powder-down patches 

 are profusely distributed over the whole body, except towards 

 the remiges and rectrices. The plumage is slaty-grey, with 

 indistinct dark bars on the wings and tail ; but when the former 

 are expanded, rufous and white bands appear, varied by black 

 markings ; while a long, erectile whitish-grey crest adorns the 

 occiput and nape. The bill and feet are orange-red. In adults 

 down covers the whole surface. Possibly the chicks remain a con- 



