GRUES 
special disposition : they are profusely scattered over the body. The pterylosis is described by 
Forbes as follows : On the neck the dorsal tract is double and continues so until its termination 
about on a level with the anterior end of the scapula; the posterior portion of the dorsal tract, 
which is quite separate {rom the anterior portions, is only forked to a slight extent anteriorly 
and widely dilated mesially, The ventral tract is broken up into two and the pectoral branch 
is likewise quite separated from the main tract, what seems special to R/iinochetos and Mesanas. 
The humeral tract in perfectly free from the inferior one. The characters of the pterylosis of 
Rhinochetos seems to be indebted for much to the presence of the scattered powder-down 
patches, 
The musculature has been carefully studied by Beddard. The semitendinosus, its 
accessory, the femoro-caudal, and the ambiens are all present; the semitendinosus is inserted 
in common with the semimembranosus; both peroneals are present; the flexor hallucis supplies 
the hallux alone; the tendon of the tensor patagi brevis divides into three branches, the two 
inner of which are prolonged some way beyond the tendon of the extensor metacarpi radialis 
longi, to which they are first of all attached; there is a biceps slip and an accessory biceps, 
which arises from the humerus just below the insertion of the deltoid, and is inserted near the 
insertion of the biceps; the expansor secundariorum is present. 
The cervical vertebre are sixteen in number, the two last of which can be provided with 
movable ribs. Four dorsal vertebre ave ankylosed. Five ribs articulate with the sternum, The 
sternum is weak, narrow, and posteriorly unnotched; its keel is small. The pelvis is broad. 
The furcula is weak and U-shaped. The pelvis is broad. The anterior furrow of the metatarsus 
is broad and very deep. The skull is schizorhinal and incompletely desmognathous; the orbit 
is very large with the edge prominent and sharp; the interorbital septum is largely fenestrate ; 
there are no basipterygoid processes; a partial bony internasal septum is present; the palatines 
are abruptly truncated posteriorly ; there are small occipital foramina. 
Habits and Reproduction. Kagus are solitary birds; they can be found in small flocks 
only in the sun-rise, They are looking grave and sad, standing often motionless, crookbacked, 
the neck shortened. ‘They inhabit dark woods and in the fern near the sea-shore, but also, in the 
interior of their native island, wild ravines, craggy places, and the top of the hills. Sleeping 
during the day-time, they become activ in the evening, then feeding upon snails, insects, trogs, 
and mainly upon worms, which are cleverly picked from earth. Kagus walk quickly and then 
stand for a long time motionless; the can run very rapidly, the body carried after the manner of 
a Rail and often wings expanded. When excited, they execute gesticulations or take attitudes in 
a way that no other bird is know to do. The flight is heavy and low; the bird rises only when 
it cannot do otherwise. The voice is loud, piercing and yelplike; it is heard usually about 
daybreak when the birds are assembled. 
The nest is made on the ground in a hole provided with sprigs and leaves. A single egy 
is laid; it is elliptical in shape, stony-grey in colour with spots and blotches of dull grey; the 
surface is slightly glossy and the shell comparatively fine. The nestling is covered with down 
and has a variegated coloration. 
Range. Only one Species confined to New Caledonia. 
