MR. W. K. PARKER ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF THE KAGU. 515 
of Grus (op. cit. pl. 14. figs. 6, 7) have their counterpart in the thickened projecting 
lobe of the sternal angle in the Kagu (Pl. XCI. figs. 1 & 3). The primordial notch 
between the coracoid grooves (Pl. XCII. fig. 6) is quite similar to what is seen in the 
Cassowary (op. c7t. pl. 17. fig. 3), and in Brachypteryx amongst the feeble-winged Land- 
Rails. The ridge on the sternal keel of the Kagu, indicating the origin of the pectoral 
muscles, shows the extreme thinness of the large pectorals ; altogether, the outer face of 
the sternum bespeaks a very feeble development of the muscular masses. 
The wing of the Kagu (Pl. XCL. fig. 1, and Pl. XCIL. fig. 5) is much feebler than that of 
either the Psophia or Ewrypyga, but it is considerably stronger than that of Ocydromus. 
In Eurypyga the arm is 23 lines shorter than the forearm, in Psophia it is 2 lines 
longer ; in Ocydromus the arm is 7 lines longer than the forearm, but in the Kagu 
the arm is almost equal to the forearm; so that the wing of the Kagu, whilst very 
inferior to that of the Ewrypyga, is somewhat better proportioned, although relatively 
feebler, than that of Psophia; it is much stronger than that of the great Land-Rail 
( Ocydromus). 
The humerus of the Kagu (/) is perfectly typical; but the overhanging anterior 
crest for the insertion of the “pectoralis major” is much less sharp and outstanding 
than in Eurypyga; the condyles are quite normal; but the rounded, thick process below 
the lower condyle for the ulna is very large (see Pl. XCI. fig. 1,, uv, where it is seen 
lying below the end of the ulna, on the os femoris, f). The radius (r), ulna (uw), 
upper and lower carpals (c), free and coalesced metacarpals (mc), and digits (d) are 
feeble, but quite normal. There is some appearance of a second free digital joint to 
the pollex (as is seen in Porphyrio) (Pl. XCI. fig. 1), but this is somewhat doubtful; the 
whole of the “‘ hand” is shorter than the other two regions by about a line in extent. 
The following Table will show the relative lengths of the three regions of the wing in 
the Kagu and its congeners :— 
| Arm. | Forearm. | Hand. | 
Haas aisle lami, pour in. lin. | 
PEELE VIGDULELULS IMR Te retoRe esate nYo\ie naan, «ash st toes eee) 2 4 Peed le a) 
UU YG UNE SEE BINNS 5. HE SER GRID AN een d2ibot 18 2 33 2: 02 
ESC T/DE ES ABE TODO OCCT A REC OEE ee 3 - 02 2 102 2h i, | 
OT OMOTUS a aa SNe) ata R ae es Sic oo sis vies oars | 2 Be ere Lear 
The pelvis of the Kagu is very peculiar (Pl. XCI. fig. 1); it is bent upon the spine 
to a greater degree than in any bird I have examined, and the height of the iliac 
crests and of the third sacro-lumbar spine is very remarkable. This condition is seen, 
but in a less degree, in Psophia, Ocydromus, and Talegalla; but in Eurypyga the whole 
pelvis is as straight, as broad, and as flat as in the Umber (Scopus);. indeed the 
resemblance of the pelves of these two types is very great. But if we come to minutie, 
the pelvis of the Ewrypyga and that of the Kagu agree very closely, notwithstanding the 
compression and elevation of the latter and the broad outspread condition of the former. 
