188 A MANUAL OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



singly notched on each side ; the furcula variable. The cervical vertebrae 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-f to 

 ABXY+, 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 Mesitidae one Madagascar genus, the Rhinochetidae one 

 New Caledonian genus, the Eurypygidae, Psophiidae, and Cariamidae, 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. 

 FAMILY BALEARICILXE. 



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 vertebrae 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 Iredale, 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 rubicund a 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 



