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DIAPHORAPTERYX forbes. 



THIS genus is closely allied to Aphanapteryx and Erythromachus, but, on the 

 whole, is nearer to Aphanapteryx. It differs from both these genera 

 and Ocydromus in the large protuberances on the basi-temporal region 

 of the skull, and the tarso-metatarsus was much shorter than in Aphanapteryx. 

 For complete diagnosis of this genus see Andrews in Novitates Zoologicae, 

 Vol. Ill, pp. 73-76 (1896). 



DIAPHORAPTERYX HAWKINSI (FORBES). 



Aphanapteryx hawkinsi Forbes, Nature XLVI, p. 252. 

 Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi Forbes, Bull. B. O.C.I, p. XXI, 1893. 



THE remains of this bird were first sent to Dr. H. O. Forbes in 1892 by 

 the late W. Hawkins, from the Chatham Islands, 500 miles E.S.E. of 

 New Zealand. It appears to have been confined to the Island of 

 Wharekauri. Dr. Forbes subsequently went to the Chathams himself and 

 collected a large number of bones of various extinct birds, including those of 

 Diaphorapteryx. In 1895 I received a consignment of bones through the 

 agency of Mr. Dannefaerd, from the Chathams, such as has never been 

 equalled from any deposit elsewhere, for literally there were many hundreds 

 of thousands of bones of a considerable number of species of birds. 

 From this collection Mr. C. W. Andrews was able to draw up a most minute 

 description of the skeleton of Diaphorapteryx, founded on several practically 

 complete skeletons, some thirty or more skulls, and several thousand individual 

 bones of various portions of the skeleton. This description, published in 

 " Novitates Zoologicae," Vol. Ill, pp. 73-84, is too long for reproduction here, 

 and so I must refer my readers to it. 



This bird, as well as the Palaeolimnas, shows an apparent relationship 

 between the Chatham Islands and the Mascarene Islands ; but I believe that 



