Vol 



I. X.1 

 1910 I 



From Magazines, &c. 



63 



The first Emu remains from King Island were procured by 

 Mr. A. G. Campbell, in November, 1902 [see The Emu, vol. iii., 

 (1903), p. 113], and were presented to the National Museum. 

 They were a thigh-bone and a pelvis, and were found on the 

 margin of the Martha Lavinia Lagoon, near the north end of the 

 island. They were taken to be small specimens of the Aus- 

 tralian mainland species {Droniceus novcE-Jiollandice). The more 

 complete series of bones obtained later by the Tasmanian 

 Museum enabled Prof. Spencer to definitely describe a new 

 species, to which the name of Drovicsus minor was given [see 

 Victorian Naturalist, vol. xxiii. (1906), p. 140]. 



In the following table are given the measurments of bones of 

 six specimens of DrovicBus novce-hollandice, of the large series of 

 the King Island form. (/?. jnitior), and the measurements of the 

 one skeleton extant of D. peroni* the extinct Kangaroo Island 

 Emu. In the case of the King Island form three series of 

 measurements are given — the minimum, the maximum, and 

 those between which He the great majority of the measure- 

 ments : — 



It is not, therefore, a matter for surprise, judging by what has 

 taken place in insular differentiation of Ratite birds in New 

 Guinea and the islands adjacent to the north of Australia, that 

 King and Kangaroo Islands, and Tasmania-|- as well, should 

 each possess its own species of Emu. 



From the large series of remains a diagnosis is then given : — 



Droaleus minor. 



Size varying considerably, but always much smaller than that 

 of D. novce-hollandice ; not exceeding that of D. pcroni, but of 

 more robust build. Tibio-tarsus rarely exceeding no mm., 

 most usually from 270 to 320 mm., in greatest length. Tarso- 

 metatarsus rarely exceeding 280 mm., most usually from 220 to 

 280 mm., in greatest length. Frontal region of skull decidedly 



* In Paris Museum, 

 t See The Ei>iu, vol. vi. (1907), p. 116. 



