93 



CHENALOPEX SIRABENSIS ANDREWS. 



Chenalopex sirabensts Andrews, Ibis 1897, p. 355, pi. IX, figs 1-3. 



THIS species of which skull, sternum, pelvis, the bones of fore and hind 

 limbs, &c, are preserved, appears to be closely allied to Chenalopex 

 aegyptiacus, but has such a number of small differences that 

 Mr. Andrews is, I think, quite justified in separating it ; I do not, however, 

 agree with him when he suggests that perhaps it is the same as Newton 

 and Gadow's Sarcidiornis mauritianus, although many of the bones agree. 

 Of course, his line of comparison was strengthened by the fact of subfossil 

 bones of Plotus nanus occurring both in Mauritius and Madagascar ; but it 

 does not follow that because in one family of birds the same species 

 occurred in two places the others must do likewise, and, therefore, one must 

 not necessarily regard a certain similarity of osteological characters as proof 

 of identity. I must here again refer my readers to Mr. Andrews' very full 

 description. 



Habitat : Sirabe in C. Madagascar. 

 The measurements are : — 



Coracoid 67 — 75 mm. 



Humerus 132—147 „ 



Radius 126—134 „ 



Ulna 129—142 „ 



Metacarpus 76 — 85 „ 



The smaller bones, undoubtedly, belonged to female, and the larger to 

 male individuals. 



