466 THE STRUTHIONIDAE. 
ticated, and their flesh is excellent food. Their power of flight is very 
small, but they run swiftly. The editor (we believe Mr. Blythe) of 
that part of Orr & Co.’s edition of Cuvier’s Animal Kingdom, thus 
comments on the station at the head of the Cranes which his author 
had assigned to the Agami (Psophia) :—“ The location of this very 
singular species among the Cranes is by no means satisfactory ; but 
we do not know that it can be placed to greater advantage elsewhere. 
Its port resembles that of the Struthious birds ; and the configuration 
of the sternum is unique, not even approaching any other group. Upon 
the whole, we conceive that it is as nearly allied to the Tinamous which 
inhabit the same region, as to any other known genus, and would pre- 
fer to detach it in a more marked manner from the Cranes.”? This is 
important independent testimony, and we need only add that the pecu- 
liar figure of the sternum, is, like that of the Tinamou, inconsistent 
with power of flight. ‘The position of Apteryx, a most extraordinary 
New Zealand bird, as the type of a sub-family of Struthionidae, seems 
to be conceded, and its long narrow beak, with the nostrils at its extre- 
mity, is so especially Tenuirostral that there can be little doubt about its 
fittest place, though its entirely suppressed wings and hair like feathers 
might seem to mark it as last in the circle, because lowest in develop- 
ment—a conclusion, however, to which the consideration of the Emeu 
and Cassowary, which belong to the first sub-family, is opposed. We 
have now, therefore, every one of the tendencies of development duly 
represented in this family, and together forming a complete natural 
group of very distinct aspect connecting the Rasores with the Gralla- 
tores, and representing the latter amongst the former, to which as an 
order this natural group seems to me manifestly to belong. 
NOTE TO DIAGRAM OPPOSITE. 
*We have mentioned a reasonable doubt whether the Sheath-bills are truly Rasorial: should 
this doubt be confirmed, we suggest Pteroclinae the sand-grouse, remarkable for their long pointed 
wings and power of flight, but which, in the above scheme, are incorporated with Perdicinae, as 
occupying this station. Some doubt also attends Odontophorinae which can scarcely be well 
separated from Tetraoninae. Perhaps the true combination for this position is formed from the 
smallest birds of the tribe, popularly called Quails, and including the Genera Ortyx, Cryptonyx, 
and Coturnix, We needa more intimate acquaintance with some of these birds, before the 
family can be satisfactorily arranged. 
