GEESE. 



137 



The ffrentcr pnrt of a wcll-proscrved skeleton, from which Dr. Hector demon- 

 strated the attiiiilies of CnemiuDtis to tlie Aiiatoidea', was found in tlie same cave 

 whicli furnislied tlie very interesting specimen of a moa's neck with muscles, skin, and 

 feathers, referred to on a previous \<n^c. It differs in several imjiortant resi)octs from 

 that described by Owen as (\ athitrans, the jjrincipal discrepancy being the greater 

 proportional size and somewhat different structure of the humerus, and may be speci- 

 fically distinct. The skull proves the relationship to the Anatoidea;, but is remark- 

 ably robust and short, the palatines are firmly united posteriorly with the vomer, the 

 up]ier surface of which has a 

 slight groove to receive the 

 prsBsphenoid ; the basisjihenoid 

 lias large oval basi])terygi>id 

 facets; anterior nostrils large, 

 holorhinal ; a soft cere has 

 probably covered the basal part 

 of the mandibles, while only 

 the j)art in front was horny, 

 as in Cereopsis ; the character 

 of the tympanic cavity is quite 

 peculiar, being bridged across 

 by a bony jirocess between the 

 mastoid jirocess and the basi- 

 occi])ital. The breast-bone is 

 large, deej), nearly square, and 

 without indentations or pro- 

 cesses behind ; it has a trace 

 of a low keel in the anterior 

 part, which rises less than one 

 fourth of an inch above the 

 convex surface. The meta- 

 carpal elements are completely 

 fu-sed at both extremities, the 

 length being about two fifths 

 of the length of the humerus. 

 The first six ribs had well- 

 develoj)cd uncinate processes. 

 The pelvis is very robust ; the ilium and ischium unite posteriorly, closing the ilio- 

 sciatic foramen behind. In the hind limbs we note the jjcculiarity of the preseni'c 

 of a liigh epicnemial process, as in Colijmbus, in front of the knee-joint, and hence 

 the n.ame. 



Dr. Hector estimates the height of the bird's back above the ground to have ex- 

 ceeded two feet, and the total length to have been at least three feet. 



That the nearest living relative of Ciumiornis hails from Australia, and is quite 

 peculiar internally and externally, cannot but strike us as natural in view of our exjie- 

 rience with other groujis. A glance at the admirable full-page cut representing 

 Cereopsis novai-liottandi<f, the only si)ecies of the family CKitEorsiD.K, shows us at 

 once a bird in general ns^iect resembling a goose, but provide<l with a quite unique 

 bill, a heavy and short frame, very stout feet, and deeply indented palmalion of the 



Fio. 63. — Skeleton of < 'crropsm. 



