Vol. xxxvii.] 52 



xii, p. IT), I called attention to the peculiar penis-like 

 appendage in the males of the African genus Textor^ 

 and pointed out the desirability of obtaining specimens in 

 spirit. Nobody seems, however, to have taken an interest 

 in the subject, but the late W. J. Ansorge made some inter- 

 esting remarks on labels of specimens. When I showed this 

 supposed penis in 1902, I thought it really was a penis, but 

 I am now convinced that it is not. First of all, the organ in 

 question is not — like the penis of the Ostrich, Swans, and 

 Ducks — a protuberance of the anus, but an independent 

 appendage in front of the anus. Moreover, it is evidently 

 not perforated, and a supposed penis that is not perforated 

 cannot very well be a penis. A careful examination of a 

 good many skins reveals no apparent perforation, and 

 Dr. Ansorge, who was an observant collector and a doctor, 

 made the following remarks on labels : " Notice the peculiar 

 hard, stiff, flesh-coloured projection with black tip in front 

 of the anus. It is 23 to 25 mm. long, but has apparently 

 no perforation." On another label : " Notice the curious 

 penis-like projection in front of the anus. It measures 

 23 mm., but has no perforation.^'' Though in its full length 

 of 20 mm. and more it is only found in males, the organ is 

 not quite absent in females. The female, to use Ansorge's 

 words, " has only a tiny clitoris-like projection before the 

 anus." 



The question naturally arises, since this supposed penis is 

 not a penis, what is it and what may be its use ? It is an 

 extraordinary thing- that there should grow on the belly of 

 a bird a hard and stiff projection without any real object. 

 Lesson, in 1831, said that the male introduced its penis 

 "^dans le cloaque de la femelle," but this was most likely 

 only imagination. The Kafirs of the Transvaal say that the 

 appendage is used for carrying sticks to the nest and to 

 hang on to the latter. Both assertions are most likely fairy 

 tales, as the powerful beaks and very strong feet are better 

 instruments for these purposes. It is a pity that Transvaal 

 ornithologists are not, so far as I am aware, investigating 

 the peculiarity of the so-called penis of Textor. The latter 



