188 A MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
singly notched on each side; the furcula variable. The cervical vertebre vary 
from fifteen to twenty in number and both carotids are present. The syrinx is 
tracheo-bronchial but variable in detail. The digestive system is periccelous, but 
again variation is to be noted. The leg muscle formula varies from XY-+ to 
ABXY-4-, the biceps slip may be present or absent, but the expansor secundariorum 
is always present. The oil gland is present but it may be feathered or nude ; the 
aftershaft is supposed in one group to be absent, otherwise always present; while 
the wing may be aquincubital or quincubital. The pterylosis is, as far as has been 
studied, variable. Such a series of variable items indicates the indeterminate 
nature of the association, which seems purely artificial. 
As regards the birds themselves, they probably represent the results of isolation 
and convergence, as the whole collection is few in number. The distribution is 
also peculiar, the typical Cranes being generally distributed through the tropics 
and subtropical regions, the Mesitide one Madagascar genus, the Rhinochetide one 
New Caledonian genus, the Eurypygide, Psophiide, and Cariamide, the two 
former with one genus, the latter with two genera restricted to South America. 
Many fossils have been referred to this neighbourhood, generally on very in- 
sufficient evidence, such as a single piece of bone. The similarity in osteological 
characters of these birds to the Rails has also confused matters. Thus the Neozelanic 
Aptornis was first regarded as allied to Dinornis, was then considered to be a Ralline 
form, and more recently relegated here. Its Ralline affinity seems the most probable. 
Then, the “‘ Stereornithes ” of the lower Tertiary of Patagonia are generally placed 
alongside this order, but much more material and study are necessary before a definite 
opinion can be maintained. 
SuBoRDER PSOPHIIFORMES. 
Famity BALEARICID. 
This family includes the true Cranes, to which the Native Companion or Brolga 
must be referred. There is some divergence in connection with internal features, 
though externally there is great similarity. The palate is schizognathous and the 
nasals schizorhinal, basipterygoid processes absent but supraorbital grooves and 
occipital fontanelles present. The sternum is not notched posteriorly and the 
cervical vertebre nineteen or twenty, the furcula sometimes anchylosed with the 
sternum, but not always. The syrinx varies, that of Balearica more modified than 
in the true Cranes, while the trachea is convoluted in the latter, but not in the former. 
The digestive system shows little variation in this family. The leg muscles, however, 
vary from ABXY-+ to XY-+ only in apparently closely allied species at present 
referred to the same genus; the biceps slip is generally present, the expansor 
secundariorum always. The oil gland is always tufted, the aftershaft present and 
the wing is aquincubital. There are no powder downs, which are present in the 
aberrant superfamilies. 
Genus MATHEWSENA. 
Mathewsena Tredale, Austral Av. Rec., Vol. II., pt. 5, p. 82, Sept. 24th, 1914. New name 
for Mathewsia Iredale. Type (by original designation): Ardea rubicunda Perry. 
Mathewsia Iredale, Bull. Brit. Ornith. Club, Vol. XXVII., p. 47, Jan. 23rd, 1911. Type 
(by original designation) : Ardea rubicunda Perry. 
Not Matthewsia Saulcy, Catal. Coleop., Vol. II., p. 745, 1868. 
Psophiine birds with long bills, long neck, long wings, long legs and feet. 
The culmen is long, compressed, straight, and sharp pointed ; the upper mandible 
has on each side a depression extending rather more than half its length ; the nostrils 
