SUB-FOSSIL REMAINS FROM KING ISLAND, 
bird. That considerable variation did exist is almost certain, 
judging from the measurements of adult mainland and King Island 
forms. Out of 42 apparently mature bones of the King Island 
bird, that is, bones in which the tibial and tarsal elements are firmly 
ankylosed, it would be rather curious not to find more than two 
representing those of normal full-sized birds, so that we are prob- 
ably safe in concluding that these two especially long bones 
represent birds of abnormal size.* 
We are inclined to think that the length of an average-sized 
mature male is between 300 and 320; that those in the table above 
this are exceptionally large spec imens; that the large number 
measuring from 270-290 mm. in all probability are fully-grown 
females and males that are not fully grown. In the case of all 
those included in the 41 the bones appeared, however, to be 
mature, with the peroneal ridge well marked. 
For the sake of comparison we have illustrated both the tibio- 
tarsus of D. nove-hollandie and that of D. peroni.t The former is 
mature, and measures 446 mm. The latter is not mature, and 
measures only 276 mm. The Paris specimen measures 342. We 
have placed the Kangaroo Island tibio-tarsus by the side of a 
King Island bone of approximately the same length. A compari- 
son of the two indicates the fact that the latter bird was evidently 
of considerably more robust build than the former. Messrs. Milne 
Kdwards and Oustalet say that the tibia in D. peront is quite 
straight, in contrast to the slightly curved bone in D. nove- 
hollandie. In all tibio-tarsi from King Island, and in the 
Kangaroo Island bone, there is a slight but quite distinct 
curvature. 
3. Tarso-metatarsus. 
(Plate 4. Figures 1-12.) 
The 70 specimens measured are not all of them mature 
bones. The lengths of those that are mature, that is, in 
which the tarsal Slement is firmly attached to the end of the 
metatarsal element, the tubercle for the tibialis anticus well 
marked, and the foramen completely enclosed, varies from 216 mm. 
to 292 mm. ‘The largest presumably belonged to old males of 
exceptional size, the smaller to small females. On the other hand, 
there are quite immature bones measuring as much as 240 mm. 
in length. Out of the 70 specimens measured, one reached the 
length of 292 mm.,f and four others the lengths respectively of 
278, 278, 277, and 271 mm. As shown in the “table, the majority 
of measurements lie between 220 and 250 mm. There are 23 
between 230 and 240, and 12 between 220 and 230, and the same 
* See p. 17. 
+For the opportunity of figuring this we are much indebted to Professor Stirling, 
Director of the South Australian Museum. 
+ Mr. H. H. Scott informs us that one of his specimens measures 294 mm. 
[12] 
