12 Geo. 5 Provincial Museum Report. M 11 



more or less caudally directed papilla; ou either side of the genital organ in the same relative 

 position as the hind limbs which I have described in this paper. In Ktikenthal's Stage I. (an 

 ernhryo 32 mm. in length) the rudiments are best developed and are 1.2 mm. long. In Stage II. 

 (an embryo 2S mm. long) the rudiments are somewhat less distinct, reaching a length of O.S nun. 

 In Stage III. (an embryo 30 mm. long) the hind-limb rudiments have still more decreased in 

 size and appear as minute papilla 1 . 



Kiikenthal has also discovered hind-limb rudiments in embryos of Pliocccna communis and 

 P. dalli, and Guldberg has recorded them in embryos of Lugenorhynchus acutus and Phoaena 

 communis. 



Kiikenthal states that the hind-limh rudiments are found in later embryonic stages of the 

 Mystacoceti than in the Odontoceti, and concludes that in the evolution of cetaceans the hind 

 limbs lost their functional character in the Odontoceti earlier than in the Mystacoceti. 



Since Ktikenthal's and Gmldberg's researches have shown that external hind-limb rudiments 

 are still present in some cases in embryonic life, it is by no means impossible that these vestigial 

 organs should continue their growth and persist until the adult stage. I believe that that is 

 exactly what has occurred in the specimen which I have described above, and that we are 

 confronted with a clear case of partial reversion to a primitive quadripedal condition. 



The limbs, according to the statements of the whalers, were symmetrical; they are in the 

 exact position in which the hind-limb rudiments have been found in embryonic Megapteraj there 

 are strong indications that the cartilaginous femur was attached to the pelvic elements; they 

 are homologous in many respects to the flippers, or fore limbs, and were this a teratological 

 case it is doubtful if these homologies would exist. 



Unwilling as are many evolutionists to accept reported cases of reversion, I can see no 

 other explanation for the facts presented here. That this condition is extremely rare must 

 certainly be true, for, so far as I am aware, this is the only recorded case among cetaceans. 

 The presence of rudimentary hind limbs Avould almost certainly attract the attention of whalers 

 under any condition and eventually be reported to a scientific institution, as was done in the 

 case under consideration. Although hundreds of thousands of whales have been killed, especially 

 in the last fifty years since the beginning of shore-whaling, no other instance has been reported. 

 We are greatly indebted to Mr. Ruck and Mr. Lawson for their quick appreciation of the 

 importance of their discovery, and I wish again to express my thanks to Mr. Kermode for 

 giving me the privilege of describing it. 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



While no field-work has been done by the Department in the branch of ornithology, several 

 persons who are very much interested in bird-life of this Province have made presentations of 

 specimens to the Museum. One of the most rare specimens taken was presented by Mr. J. G. 

 French, of Sooke, a white-winged dove (ifclopclia asiatica), A.O.U. No. 31!). This is the farthest 

 northern record of this dove. The range of this bird in Lower California, Southern Arizona. 

 Texas, Florida, south to Cuba. Jamaica, and Costa Rica. Accidental in Washington, one specimen 

 being taken by Mr. J. H. Bowles, of Tacoina, November 7th, 1907. Concerning the specimen 

 collected by Mr. J. G. French at Sherringham I?oint. Renfrew District, Vancouver Island, in 

 July, 1918, he informs me that there Avere two of the birds together on that occasion, and 

 without doubt this is now the most northerly record for this accidental visitor. 



Other birds and specimens collected by several persons and presented to the Museum are 

 herewith listed below. 



ACCESSIONS. 



Blaek Merlin (Falco colunibarim Siickleyi). Presented by Mr. W. Long, Mount Douglas, 

 Victoria, B.C., January 18th, 1021. 



Killdeer Plover (JEgiaMHs vocifera). Two specimens presented by Mr. Arthur Trill. 

 Errington, B.C., April 19th, 1921. 



North-western Red-wing (Agelaius phceniceus caurinus). Presented by Mr. Arthur Trill, 

 Errington, B.C., April 19th, 1921. 



North-western Red-wing (Agclaius phceniceus caurinus). Presented by Mr. II. Rawlings, 

 Parksville, B.C., April 19th, 1921. 



Killdeer Plover {/EgiuUtis vocifera). Presented by Mr. II. Rawlings, Parksville, B.C., 

 April 19th, 1921. 



