274 Herr E. Hartert on the Caprimulgidae. 



mawimus was allied to theDinornis and the Apteryx, '^although 

 it is distinguished from them by profound differences of in- 

 ternal organization, amongst others by the presence of highly 

 developed air-passages, which allowed the air to penetrate 

 into the thigh-bones/' 



M. Grandidier also discovered the bones of two other and 

 smaller species oi ^pijornis, one of the height of a Cassowary, 

 and the other as large as a Bustard, so that it is probable that 

 there were several species of this ancient genus formerly 

 living in Madagascar. Most of the eggs of the largest species 

 have been found in a small district in the extreme south-east 

 corner of the island, between the River Mandrery and a 

 promontory called Andrahomby. In this neighbourhood 

 fragments of the eggs are said to be easily obtained, but perfect 

 eggs are very rare and command a large price in Europe. 

 Another specimen, described by Mr. G. Rowley, was found at 

 Mananjara, on the south-east coast, at a depth of 45 feet, in 

 a hill of ferruginous clay, by some natives who were digging 

 for iron-ore. As these remains have thus been discovered at 

 three different points on the southern coast of Madagascar, 

 there can be little doubt that systematic exploration would 

 reveal much more numerous relics of this big bird as well as 

 of its eggs. 



It is not at present possible to say exactly at what period 

 these great Malagasy birds became extinct, but M. Grandidier 

 believes that they were existing at a very recent epoch, since 

 their remains are found in the newest formations, and that 

 therefore they have been living during the period since man 

 has inhabited Madagascar. 



" XXI. — Notes on the Caprimulgidse. By Ernst Hartert. 



(Plate YI.) 

 Although the Cypselidse and Caprimulgidse are, in my 

 opinion, somewhat allied families, and, in a systematic 

 arrangement, should be placed near together, there can 

 hardly be found a greater difference than in the dull and 



