BY T. THOMSON PLYNN, B.Sc. 1 79 



first cubital is equally W'Cll developed with the rest, 

 though not quite so long. The cubitals are graduated, 

 the eighth being the longest. Both genera are quin- 

 cubital, markedly differing in this respect from " M. 

 pritchardi " and " M. eremita." 



The dorsal major tectrices of the primaries are well 

 developed, but not so long as the cubitals, these latter 

 being graduated, the first (in " Catheturus ") being in 

 length 5^ inches, the seventh (the longest) measuring 

 6j/4 inches. 



The dorsal tectrices mediae of the secondaries are 

 fairly large, and are graduated, there being no sudclen 

 differences in length between adjacent feathers. Those 

 of the primaries are feeble, and on the manus they are 

 almost deficient. 



The dorsal tectrices minores do not call for special 

 mention. 



On the ventral side the tectrices majores are well 

 developed, the tectrices mediae are absent, and the 

 minores are scattered and feeble. 



The rectrices number 16 in each of the two genera. 



Iji a number of specimens of " Catheturus " there is 

 present in the mid-ventral apterium a patch of specially 

 thickened skin. It is roughly rhomboidal in shape, with 

 its long axis (about two inches) extending along the 

 carina sterni posteriorly. Its short axis measures about 

 ^in., and the skin covering it, though specially 

 thickened, is not at all scaly. 



REMARKS. 



All the genera of the Megapodidae so far described 

 resemble the typical gallinae in a number of points in 

 their feather arrangement, but most especially in the 

 fact that the two parts of the ventral tract unite before 

 reaching the anus. They, however, agree with one an- 

 other, and differ from the typical gallinae in the posses- 

 sion of the interrupted ventral tract, the presence of the 

 large dorsal interscapular space and the fusion of the 



