292 SIE E. NEWTON AND DE. GADOW ON THE DODO 



A, theodoi-i. A. melleri. 



mm. mm. 



Width between pectoral ridgea 28 30 



Distance from spina interna to top of crest . . 20 25 



Length of coracoid 42 52 



Length of humerus 70-78 89 



Length of metatarsus 42 41 



The result of our investigations is that the bones figured (Plate XXXIV. figs. 11-17) 

 belong to a Duck which differs from any of those found in Madagascar, while it agrees 

 more closely with A. melleri but for its dimensions, which are so much smaller that they 

 cannot well be accounted for by individual variation. It is moreover the only Duck 

 of which remains have hitherto been found in Mauritius ; we distinguish it therefore 

 as Anas theodori, in honour of Mr. Theodore Sauzier. 



9. FuLiCA NBWTONi. (Plate XXXV. figs. 1-11.) 



The remains of this large Coot are numerous. The femur, sternum, humerus, and 

 four cervical vertebrae are new and hitherto not described, while the whole pelvis and 

 sacrum, the tibia, and the metatarsus have been described by M. Milne-Edwards. The 

 bones belonged to at least 24 different individuals, and show accordingly a considerable 

 amount of variation in their dimensions. 



The smallest thigh-bone is 76, the longest 90 mm. long. The latter is larger in all 

 its dimensions, otherwise alike the others. The outer or superior trochanteric crest 

 is high and curved inwards ; the two principal arms of the tendinous loop for the 

 m. biceps cruris have left two very distinct impressions on the lateral surface of the 

 distal end of the shaft and near the popliteal region. The external condyle has a 

 deep and smooth notch for the reception of the head of the fibula. 



The pelvis agrees with that of Fulica proper and with that of Tribonyx because of 

 the peculiar dip of the dorsal margin of the pre-acetabular ilium, which does not reach 

 up to the level of the dorsal spinous processes, leaving a long groove through which 

 passed the tendons of the usually obliterated dorsal spinal muscles. In the possession 

 of this groove and in its elongated and laterally contracted shape this pelvis agrees 

 with that of a typical Fulica, and it differs much from that of Aphanapteryx and 

 Ocydromus, while the pelvis of Porphyrio melanotiotus and that of Tribonyw are less 

 contracted than in Fulica and Gallimda. 



The sternum of F. neiotoni resembles in several points that of Ajplianapteryx, Fry- 

 thromachm, and Ocydromus, and differs from Trihonyx, Fulica proper, and Porphyria, 

 first in the configuration of the whole anterior margin of the sternum, especially in 

 the double or basally divided spina externa, which is moreover broad and flat, while in 

 the other genera this spine is single and furnished with a ventral longitudinal sharp 

 ridge; secondly, by the receding and broad anterior margin of the keel, which, 

 however, is well developed, although less than in Trihonyx and Fulica atra, but the 

 tendency towards a reduction of the keel is apparent. 



