SUB-FOSSIL REMAINS FROM KING ISLAND. 
In the following table we give the measurements of the bones 
of six specimens of Dromeus nove-hollandiw, of she large 
series of the King Island form, and the measurements of the one 
specimen of D. peroni. In the case of the King Island form we 
have given three series of measurements—the minimum, the 
maximum, and those between which lie the great majority of the 
measurements. Thus, for example, in the case of the femur the 
minimum of mature bones is 140 and the maximum 186, but 
whilst only 2 specimens measure more than 189 and 6 less than 
150 mm., no fewer than 52 measure between 150-180 mm., and 
of these 89 measure between 150-170 mm. 
Species, | 1D, nove-hollandim, King Island Species. D. peroni, 
| 2 — _ 
Skull, length ... aaa 90-91 58-62 80 
+ width oon ey 75-76 54-56 66 
Femur... 4 =< 217-243 140, 150-180, 186 180 
Tibio-tarsus one it 415-446 265, 27)-320, 363 342 
Tarso-metatarsus ahh 3385-4!1 216, 220-280, 292 290 
Pelvis, length ... xa 440-442 249-292 340 
Pelvis, width in front a, 80-105 64 75 
Pelvis, width behind at 105-113 78-34 92 
It will be seen that there is considerable variation, not only in 
the case of the King Island species, but also in that of the main- 
land species, and doubtless a corresponding amount of variation 
would be found to exist amongst the Kangaroo Island birds if only 
we were fortunate enough to possess as large a series of their 
bones as we do of those of the King Island Emus. It is, for 
example, almost certain, or at least quite probable, that amongst 
the Emus of Kangaroo Island there were many adult birds that 
exceeded the measurements given in the above table, and many 
that fell below them unless the three specimens secured happened 
to belong to birds of either maximum or minimum size, 
One very striking fact in regard to the Ratite is that on insular 
areas we find a most remark: ble development of distinct species, 
aud that on continental areas there is a widespread distribution of 
a limited number of species. 
Throughout the whole of the South American continent we 
find only three species of Rhea. Africa has only three species of 
Struthio. 
[21] 
