OF THE KAGU, SUN-BITTERN, AND BOATBILL. 479 
portions of a general clothing or upper-arm powder-down, then this last-mentioned 
portion would be the axillary division of the said humeral patch (fig. 3, H). 
The humeral feather-tract of Nitzsch, however, is entirely differently placed from these 
so-called humeral powder-down patches. The brachial subsidiary powder-downs pre- 
viously adverted to, though not precisely agreeing, most nearly correspond with Nitzsch’s 
pteryla humeralis, the others partially with the wing-tract plumage. 
(d) Comparison of the Powder-patches in other Genera of Birds——Herr Nitzsch and 
Mr. Bartlett have both said that the powder-down patches in the Sun-bittern (Lurypygqa) 
are but two in number. I find, nevertheless, a much closer resemblance to that extra- 
ordinary distribution in the Kagu than I had supposed from the accounts of the above 
equally careful observers. 
Taking those of Rhinochetus as representing the maximum of number or quantitative 
space, Hurypyga may be said to possess several of the heretofore described patches. 
Their development, however, is not by any means so profuse, neither are they so well 
defined. Indeed the most that can be affirmed is that the powder-plumes are there, 
remarkably short or stunted certainly, and very thinly scattered in some parts, so that 
it is their microscope structure that certifies as to their nature more than decided 
obvious presence. Withal their existence is appreciable to the naked eye on careful 
examination. 
The following patches in the Sun-bittern, as compared with the Kagu, with the 
above proviso, were distinctly traced by me :— 
1. The lateral neck-patches. 
2. The dorsal patches. These, as in the Kagu, broaden out, and assume the plumose 
character in the lumbo-sacral region. The almond-shaped interspaces, however, are not 
left free or bare in Ewrypyga as in Rhinochetus. On the contrary, in the former the 
spinal patches approach the mesial dorsal line. It is these ilio-caudal patches which 
Nitzsch and Bartlett believe only exist in the Sun-bittern. 
3. The lateral sterno-ventral patches or stripes. They mingle with the caudal portion 
of the dorsal patch at the rump, as in the Kagu. 
4. The costo-thoracic patches. Well marked, but not particularly plumose. 
The subjoined were very indistinct :— 
5, A coracoid patch barely indicated, evidence of its existence being surmised rather 
than substantiated by a few dark-coloured roots. 
6. The brachio-humeral patch likewise sparsely represented by a few roots. 
7. The same may be said of the axillary, humeral, and alar divisions. 
8. There is an entire absence of a cranio-nuchal distribution, and barely, if at all, a 
yestige of cubital patches. 
As regards the Boatbill, Mr. Bartlett has pointed out that in this bird four pairs of 
powder-down patches are present, whereas Nitzsch limited the number to three pairs. 
My examination enables me to coincide with the former author's observations, and to 
