Cracid^;.] 



Megapodius, Quoy $ Gaim. 



OSTEOLOGIA AVIUM. 



[Cracin^e. 



Differs from the Thasianidce in having a much shorter sternum, and the fissures not 

 nearly so deep ; the outer splint of the sternum is very much expanded, and the keel 

 very deep and not so much excavated, and receding in front ; it is also destitute of spurs ; 

 the manubrial process is small ; the pelvis has a very large ischiadic foramen ; the 

 rami of the os furcatum are flattened, and the process at their junction is small in pro- 

 portion to other gallinaceous birds. 



Measurements, 



Tenths. 



Length of humerus 36 



Length of ulna . . . . . . . 35 



Length of metacarpus . . . . . 17 



Length of femur . . .... 80 



Length of tibia 43 



Length of metatarsus 35 



Length of sternum . ..... 30 



Tenths. 



Breadth of posterior margin of sternum 9 



Breadth of anterior margin of sternum 1 3 



Depth of keel ....... 13 



Length of head 24 



Breadth of head 10 



Length of pelvis 38 



Breadth of pelvis . . . . . . 19 



Leipoa, Gould. 



Ocellata, Gould. 



I have only a portion of the sternum of this bird, given to me by Mr. Gould ; it 

 seems to take the same form as Megapodius. 



Ortalida, Merr. 



Montagui, Bp, 



Cranium. The occiptal ridge prominent, the upper surface of the skull with two 

 rounded protuberances over each orbit. Orbits large; septum with a very large 

 elongated foramen at the top, and two smaller ones below. Palatine bones very broad 

 at about one-third their length, and gradually tapering backwards to the interarticular, 

 and tapering more gradually forwards ; interarticular bones thin in the middle, but 

 gradually thickening at their ends. The foramen lacerum posterius very well marked. 



Sternum formed much like other gallinaceous birds, but with the exterior splints 

 very broad, and expanded at their extremities. 



Pelvis with the divisions of the vertebras very apparent on its upper surface ; ischiadic 

 foramen of moderate size, oval ;. obturator narrow, but slightly expanded posteriorly ; 

 notch in front of the acetabulum small, but well marked. 



Leg-bones. Metatarsus without any spur; calcineal process very small Supple- 

 mentary metatarsus as in the pigeons. 



Ribs of moderate strength ;. styliform process small 



2& 



