OF THE KAGU, SUN-BITTERN, AND BOATBILL. 485 
depth. Their general direction is not quite horizontal, but obliquely inwards and 
downwards. The tarso-metatarsal bone behind is clad somewhat similarly with -as 
many transverse scales; but these differ from the preceding in a considerable diminu- 
tion of size both towards the upper and lower extremes of the rod-figured tarsus. 
The middle toe on its dorsal aspect has a serried row of narrow cross scales from its 
root to the nail; they are subequal in dimensions, excepting at the first and second 
joints, where they are narrower. 
At the proximal ends of the three toes, or over the tarso-phalangeal joints, is a 
patch of minute ovoid scales. These occupy the entire breadth of this part of the foot, 
and alter, as they approach the dorsal tarsal scutes, into broader single scales, which, 
however, are separated by an interspace of smooth yellow tegument. The hind toe is 
shortest, and has fewest scales. The entire sole is besprinkled with minute, punctate, 
roundish scalelets. All the claws are tolerably solid, the hind one most curved; edges 
smooth. 
Taken in the aggregate, and bearing in mind that the legs of the Sun-bittern are 
short and slender, contrasted with the Kagu, they are not unlike each other so far as 
figure and disposition of the scales are concerned. 
It is unnecessary to describe in detail the leg-coverings of the Boatbill, as the compa- 
rison I shall institute together with the figures given (Pl. LVI. figs. 7 & 8), will enable the 
salient distinctions between it and the two foregoing birds to be distinctly appreciated. 
The scales behind and in front of the tibio-tarsal joint are very abundant, but the 
parallel cross linear arrangement is obscure. The long tarso-metatarsal bone, instead 
of bearing transverse scutes, is beset before and rearwards with great numbers of 
moderate-sized hexagonal scales. The upper surface of the toes has cross scaling as in 
the Kagu; but the skin at their sides and the angle of junction is studded with minute 
hexagons. ‘The middle toe-nail is serrated on its inner concave margin. 
3. The Beak. 
Two out of the three forms which I have brought together approximate in the shape 
of the beak. Those agreeing are Rhinochetus and Eurypyga. Cancroma, on the con- 
trary, is most remarkable on account of the anomalous breadth of this organ, which 
bears a great resemblance to that of the great-billed Baleniceps. 
In the Ardeine birds generally, Herons, Bitterns, and Night-Herons, the beak is of 
an elongate pickaxe-shape, more or less straight, and somewhat laterally compressed. 
The colour is often yellow, leaden, or dark-tinted. 
As respects shape the beak of the Kagu agrees with that organ in the above-mentioned 
group; but in colour and other particulars it has characters of its own. It is distin- 
guished by being of a bright orange tint, as are the legs. There is a very slight longi- 
tudinal descending curve; the root is 0°3 inch deeper than broad. Length 2-4, and 
extreme depth 0-8 inch. 
