Cu. IT.] OF THE SOLITAIRE. 115 
portion posteriorly, including the mesial emarginations ; the origin of the keel is, however, preserved. The 
form of the manubrial process differs from that in the sternum of the Gal/ing, but resembles that in most 
Pigeons; on the contrary, the costal process is less horizontal than in Pigeons, and ascends obliquely 
forwards as in the Ga/line. The articular surfaces are apparently three in number, with intervening 
cellular spaces, as in Gowra, &c. The sternum appears to have had a well developed keel, but unfortunately, 
there is not enough preserved to indicate its size and form; on the purpose of the keel in this 
flightless bird, I may refer to Mr. Strickland’s remarks. The anterior edge of the keel is grooved, and 
deeply concave, as in the Gadling, but the anterior, probably, precurved angle is deficient; the deep 
pneumatic excavation is seen posteriorly, beneath the manubrial process; and there is a deep depression at 
the root of the costal process, anteriorly, as in Gowra, &c. This sternal fragment is four inches and a 
half long, and four inches broad. 
The absence of any trace of the mesial fissure in the fragment preserved, and the form of the manubrial 
process, distinguish this sternum from that of the typical Gadling. The great development of the costal 
process, and the small number of costal articular facets, indicate a greater difference between this sternum 
and that of the Eagle or Vulture, &c. The presence of the keel is a proof of its non-affinity to the 
Struthionide. 
The left humerus (Plate XIV. Fig. 1 to3) in the Parisian Museum is also incrusted, and cannot be 
satisfactorily compared with that in Pigeons, which is the less to be regretted, since this bone furnishes no 
distinctive character ; it is sufficient, that there is nothing to prevent its being regarded, as belonging to a 
Columbine form. It is four inches eight lines long ; the pectoral crest was broken off before the bone became 
incrusted ; the large pneumatic depression does not necessarily imply the existence of pneumaticity, which 
was probably absent. The short obtuse process of the rudimentary metacarpal of the thumb, covered with 
horn, as in Chauna, &c., formed “the little round mass under the feathers, as big as a musket ball,” 
which the Solitaire employed as a weapon; the length of the wing, as indicated by that of the humerus, 
would give sufficient leverage for this purpose. Although the wing was wholly inadequate for flight, 
it might assist this large bird im running. 
Dimensions of the bones of the leg of the Solitaire in the Andersonian Museum. 
1. Right femur. : : : : : : : (Plate XIV. Fig. 4-7.) 
inches. _ lines. 
Length from the inter-condyloid notch to the upper surface of the neck 5 25 
from the external condyle to the extremity of the great trochanter 5 9 
Transverse diameter of the shaft : : : : : 5 : 0) 8 
Antero-posterior diameter of ditto 0 62 
Transverse diameter of the superior extremity. : ‘ : : ] 6 
— of the lower ditto 1 42 
2. Left femur, with the extremities mutilated 
Transverse diameter of the shaft . : ‘ : : : : 0 
Antero-posterior diameter of ditto. : : ; , : : 0 62 
3. Length of fragment of the right femur, with the extremities mutilated 4 11 
Transverse diameter of the shaft . , : : : : ; 0 92 
Antero-posterior diameter of ditto . : : : : : : 0 “(8 
1 Part I. Chap. 2. p. 54, supra. 
2H 
