140 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. XXIII. 



Oustallet,* and I have also, through the kindness of Dr. Stirling^ 

 been able to examine a tibia and tarso-metatarsus from Kangaroo 

 Island, the size of which, though they evidently belonged to a 

 young animal, indicates, I • think, that they are those of 

 D. ater. 



There is considerable variation in the dimensions of the bones, 

 some belonging to fully grown and others to younger animals, 

 difference in sex probably also partly accounting for the 

 variations, but there are only two the size and nature of which 

 indicate that they are those of really immature birds. 



1. The tibia. The greatest length is 332 ram.; only two 

 exceed 320 mm. The length of the tibia in D. ater is 342 mm. 



2. The tarso-metatarsus. Thegreatest length is 277 mm. There 

 are only two that exceed 270 mm., and, judging from the appear- 

 ance of the 28 specimens, these belong to birds of above the 

 average size. The length of the tarso-metatarsus in D. ater is 

 290 mm. 



3. The femur. The greatest length is 180 mm. Ten are 

 between 170 mm. and 180 mm. The length of the femur in 

 D. ater is 180 mm. 



4. The pelvis. The length of the three pelves which are in 

 condition to be measured are respectively (i) 274 mm., (2) 276 

 mm., (3) 280 mm. The front width of (i) is 64 mm., and the 

 width behind the acetabular cavity of five specimens is respect- 

 ively 80 mm., 78 mm., 84 mm., 84 mm., 86 mm. The corre- 

 sponding measurements in D. ater are 340 mm., 75 mm., 92 mm. 



Taking in each case the largest measurement available — and 

 there can be, I think, no doubt as to the adult condition of the 

 majority of the specimens — we find that we are dealing with a bird 

 of distinctly smaller dimensions than D. ater. If it be safe to 

 form any conclusion from a comparison of the two bones from 

 Kangaroo Island with similar bones in the present collection it 

 would also appear that we are dealing with a bird of more 

 robust build. I have little doubt but that the two are specifically 

 distinct, and I therefore propose the name of Dromceus minor for 

 the new form, which can be briefly described as follows : — 



Dromceus minor, sp. n. Smaller than D. ater. Tibia not or 

 only slightly exceeding 330 mm. in greatest length. Tarso- 

 metatarsus not exceeding 280 mm. in greatest length. Pelvis, 

 length not or only slightly exceeding 280 mm. 



Hab., King Island, Bass Strait. Now extinct. 



* " Notice sur quelques Especes d'Oiseaux actuellement eteintes, &c. 

 Vol. commemoratif du centenaire de la fondation du Museum d'histoire 

 naturel." Paris, 1893. P. 66. I am indebted to Professor Stirling for the 

 opportunity of referring to this. 



