264 



The Fowl-like Birds 



neck. The skeleton possesses some curious combinations, such as the slit 

 (schizognathous) type of palate, the breast-bone with a deep notch on each 

 side of the posterior margin, etc., which seem to suggest various relationships. 



FIG. 84. Madagascar Mesite, Mescenas variegata. 



The coloration of the sexes is so different that before they were fully known 

 it was thought that two species were represented, and they were so named. 

 Thus the adult female is a clear chestnut above, slightly more dusky on the head, 

 with the cheeks, ear-coverts, and sides of the neck bright rufous, with a dusky 



