579 
the sternum is about intermediate in size between those of Ocy- 
dromus and Porphyrio (Fig. 2). The keel is shallow, like that 
of Ocydromus, having very nearly the same depth proportionally 
to length of trunk (see table of comparative measurements 
below) ; its anterior edge has nothing of the strong forward 
curvature seen in /orphyrio. The lateral curvature of the 
“ 
cee’ 
H 
i 
Fic. 5.—Furcula of Ocydvomus (a), Notornis (p), and Porphyrio (c), drawn 
to same atsolute length of trunk. 
sternum is very slight, its two sides inclosing a dihedral angle— 
the transverse sternal angle, as it may be called—which is very 
nearly as open as open as that of Ocydvomus, and many degrees 
greater than that of Porphyrio (Fig. 3). 
In the shoulder-girdle both coracoid and scapula are about 
intermediate in proportional size between those of the two allied 
Fic. 6.—Side views of pelvis cf Ocydromus (a), Notornis (B), and Porphyrio 
(c), drawn to same absolute length of trunk. ac, acetabulum; af”, anti 
trochanter; 7/s, ilio-sciatic foramen; od, obturator notch; 7s, ischium 
pu, pubis. 
genera (Fig. 4). The same is the case with regard to the curva- 
ture of the scapula, and the angle inclosed between it and the 
coracoid—the coraco-scapular angle—which in Nortornis, as in 
Ocydromus, is greater than a right angle. In this, as in other 
characters of the shoulder-girdle, Vofornis, although intermediate ; 
between its two allies, approaches most nearly to Ocydromus. 
NATURE 
[| Apri 13, 1882 
The same is true of the furcula (Fig. 5), which is less markedly 
U-shaped than that of Ocydromus, more so than that of Por- 
phyrio. It isa very slender bone; the apparent thickness of its 
median portion in the figure is due to its being flattened in that 
region from before backwards, 
In the pelvis intermediate characters are no longer found, the 
heavy cursorial Votornis having a pelvis of considerably greater 
proportional dimensions than either of its allies (Fig. 6). Both 
in vertical height, and in length the pelvis is proportionally 
markedly larger than in Ocydromus, and very considerably 
larger than in Porghyrio. In the relative proportions of the pre- 
and post-acetabular portions of the ilium, JVo/ornis most nearly 
approaches /orphy7i0 ; in the outline of the ilium, as seen from 
the dorsal side (Fig. 7), it more nearly resembles Ocydromus. 
The excess in size of the pelvis of JVotornis is most marked in 
its transverse dimensions, as seen in Fig. 7, wuere the three pelves 
are drawn to the same absolute lenvth of sacrum, The ischia 
and puhes of Votornis are widely separated, so much so that the 
pa 
Fic. 7.—Dorsal view of the pelvis of Nofornis (continuous line) with on the 
left that of Ocydzomits (dotted line), and on the right that of Porphyrie 
(interrupted line), all drawn to same absolute length of sacrum. ac, 
acetabulum; sa, lateral boundary of sacrum ; 7s, ischium; x, pubis. 
greater part of the pubis can be seen in a dorsal view (Fig. 7) ; 
in the other two genera these bones fall well within the outer 
boundary of the ilium. 
The following table gives the comparative dimensions of the 
three skeletons :— 
Length of Trunk, measured as above = 100 
Ocydromus. Notornis. Porphyrio. 
Length of sternum... ... ... 28 = 30. rene 
Width of »» measured just 
pesterior to coracoid grooves 14 ees), a4 ba 17 
Depth of keel of sternum ce A, 48 sx 48S 
Length of scapula... ... ... 35 San Ze} te, 149) 
“9 COracolds seen esses) 20) a) it 5 28 
Q ilinm i ok. 49 i E56 <p BAS 
Width of ,, at posterior 
border of acetabulum... ... 21 ~apeete) se «meee 
Icengthiofefemiuniscncmuee) fo. ye cca, EY/ ron Ee 
Coraco-scapular angle 100° 97° 86° 
Transverse sternal angle ... 141° 132° 96° 
T. JEFFERY PARKER 
Dunedin, New Zealand, November 9, 1881 
