NO. 9 A NEW PLIOCENE STORK — SHORT 9 



the internal condyle distal to the distal opening of the tendinal groove 

 is more laterally angled. In Dissourodes the condyle angles more 

 toward the opening of the tendinal groove, thus reducing the extent 

 of the fossa between the condyle and the opening. 



The fossil tibiotarsus thus represents a species related to the 

 modern, paleotropical wooly-necked stork (Dissoura episcopus) , and 

 probably also the jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) . While similar to Dissoura, 

 Dissourodes differs in several respects noted above and in its much 

 larger size and slightly more massive tibiotarsus. Its resemblances 

 to Jabiru and its occurrence in the New World warrant generic 

 recognition for this fossil form. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



I am indebted to Dr. C. G. Sibley for suggesting study of the 

 Nebraska State Museum fossils he borrowed, and for introducing 

 me to paleontological procedures. I have benefited from the vast 

 experience of Dr. Alexander Wetmore, who gave freely of his time 

 in discussing fossil birds. Dr. Wetmore and Dr. Richard Zusi 

 kindly read the manuscript and made suggestions benefiting the 

 clarity of the paper. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the assistance 

 rendered by these individuals. 



SUMMARY 



A fossil tibiotarsus from the Lower Pliocene of Nebraska proves 

 to be a new genus and species of fossil stork, Dissourodes milleri. 

 This form differs from all (sufficiently known) fossil and modern 

 storks, but shares many features with Dissoura episcopus and also 

 Jabiru mycteria. Several differences in the condylar head of the 

 tibiotarsus distinguish it from these two storks. 



LITERATURE CITED 



Brodkorb, P. 



1963. Catalogue of fossil birds. Bull. Fla. State Mus., vol. 7, No. 4, 

 pp. 179-293. 

 De Vis, C. W. 



1888. A glimpse of the post-tertiary avifauna of Queensland. Proc. Linn. 

 Soc. New S. Wales, 2nd Ser., vol. 3, pp. 1277-1292. 

 De Vis, C. W. 



1891. Residue of the extinct birds of Queensland as yet detected. Proc. Linn. 

 Soc. New S. Wales, 2nd Ser., vol. 6. pp. 437-456. 



