Haast. — On the Extinct Genus Harpagornis. 71 



principally tlie one on the ulnar side, are well seen, as well as the intermuscular 

 ridge on the palmar side, and the flat processes for the attachment of the 

 muscles. 



Radius. 



Of the left radius of Harpagornis vioorei we possess only a fragment of the 

 proximal side. The proximal end is well expanded, and the tubercle for the 

 insertion of the biceps stands considerably forward, the shaft becoming 

 afterwards very flat towards the ulna, not being so much bent as in Aquila. 



The radius of Harpagornis assimilis (PI. YIII., Figs. 5 and 6), which has 

 a total length of 7*62 inches, against 7'90 inches for the corresponding bone in 

 Aquila audax, is, like the ulna, of much stouter proportions. It is naore bent 

 towards its distal extremity, so that the same stands at a greater angle to the 

 shaft than any of the recent species. 



Metacakpus. pi. YIIL, Fig. 7. 



Only one specimen of the metacarpiis belonging to Harpagornis assimilis 

 was obtained, being in an excellent state of preservation. 



It is not only a little longer than that of Aquila, but also much stouter in 

 its proportions. This is most conspicuous in the medius metacarpal and the 

 proximal end. 



The process for the attachment of the index phalanx is broad and heart- 

 shaped, and the two principal intermuscular ridges upon the medius metacarpal 

 enclose a broad and well-deflned channel. 



Pelvis. PI. IX., Figs. 1, 2, and 3. 



In my introductory remarks I stated that all search after the pelvis of 

 Harpagornis moorei had been unsuccessful, but that we were fortunate enough 

 to obtain this important bone of the smaller species H, assimilis when 

 excavating the other bones belonging to the latter. 



Last year, when visiting the Colonial Museum in Wellington, I observed 

 amongst the specimens of our extinct avi-fauna a perfect pelvis, which, on 

 examination, I assigned to Harpagornis. Dr. Hector, at my request, allowed 

 me to take this fine specimen with me for comparison and descraptiou. After 

 placing it near the pelvis of H. assitnilis, with which it agreed in all main 

 points except its larger size — bearing the same proportion as the bones of 

 H. moorei do to those of the smaller species — I had no hesitation in assigning 

 it at once to the former. 



This compound bone, belonging to a fully-grown but still young individual, 

 has all the characteristics which belong to the pelvis of a diurnal raptorial 

 bird, some of the complex features, owing to its enormous size, being developed 

 in a most remarkable decree. It combines great strength with lightness and 



