MB. W. K. PARKER ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF THE KAGU. 



515 



of Grus {op. cit. pi. 14. figs. G, 7) have their counterpart in the thickened projecting 

 lobe of the sternal angle in the Kagu (PI. XCI. figs. 1 & 3). The primordial notch 

 between the coracoid grooves (PI. XCIl. fig. 6) is quite similar to what is seen in the 

 Cassowary {op. cit- pi. 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 (PI. XCI. fig. 1, and PI. XCII. fig. 5) is much feebler than that of 

 either the Psophia or Eurypyga, but it is considerably stronger than that of Ocydromus. 



In Eurypyga the arm is 2^ 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 Eurypyga, is somewhat better proportioned, although relatively 

 feebler, than that of Psopliia ; 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 PI. XCI. fig. 1, h, u, where it is seen 

 lying below the end of the ulna, on the os femoris,/). The radius (r), ulna {u), 

 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 Porpliyrio) (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. 



Ehinoelietits . 

 Eun/j)yga . 

 Psophia . . . 

 Ocydromus . 



m. 



2 

 2 



3 



2 



lin. 



3 



1 



H 



3i 



Forearm. 



in. lin. 

 2 4 

 2 3i 

 2 lOi 

 1 Sk 



Hand. 



in. lin. 

 2 1 

 2 Oi 

 2 7 

 1 10 



The pelvis of the Kagu is very peculiar (PI. 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 veiy gi'eat. But if we come to minutia?, 

 the pelvis of the Eurypyga and that of the Kagu agree very closely, notwithstanding the 

 compression and elevation of the latter and the broad outspread condition of the former. 



