SUB* FOSSIL REMAINS FROM KING ISLAND 
bird. 
That considerable variation did exist, is almost certain, 
judging from the measurements of adult mainland ami King Island 
forms. Out of 4 2 apparently mature bones of the King Island 
bird, that is, bones in which the tibial and tarsal elements an* Hi inly 
ank closed, it would be rather curious not to find moie than two 
representing those ot normal lull-sized birds, so that we aie piob- 
safe in concluding that these two especially long bones 
repre 
ably safe in concluding that these two 
represent birds of abnormal size. " 
We are inclined to think that the length ot an average-sized 
mature male is between 300 and 3i0; that those in the table above 
this are exceptionally large specimens; that the large number 
measuring from 270-290 mm. in all probability are fully-grown 
females and males that are not fully grown. In the case ot all 
those included in the 41 the hones appeared, however, to lie 
mature, with the peroneal ridge well marked. 
For the sake of comparison we have illustrated both the tibio- 
tarsus of D. novce-holla ndice and that of I). peroni . f The former is 
mature, and measures 440 mm. The latter is not mature, and 
measures only 270 mm. The Paris specimen measures 342. We 
have placed the Kangaroo Island tibio-tarsus by the side of a 
King Island bone of approximately the same length. A compari- 
son of the two indicates the fact that the hitter bird was evidently 
of considerably more robust build than the former. Messrs. Milne 
Edwards and Oustalet say that the tibia in 1). peroni is quite 
straight, in contrast to the slightly curved bone in D. novce- 
li,nllnndia. In all tibio-tarsi from King Island, and in the 
Kangaroo Island bone, there is a slight but quite distinct 
curvature. 
3 . Tarso-meta tarsus. 
(Plate 4. Figures 1-12.) 
The 70 specimens measured are not all of them mature 
bones. The lengths of those that are mature, that is, in 
which the tarsal element is firmlv attached to the end of the 
metatarsal element, the tubercle' for the tibialis anticus well 
marked, and the foramen completely enclosed, varies from 216 mm. 
lo -42 mm. i he largest presumably belonged to old males of 
exceptional size, the smaller to small females. On the other hand, 
there are quite immature bones measuring as much as 240 mm 
in length. Out of the 70 specimens measured, one reached the 
lengthy! 292 mm., J and four others the lengths respectivelv of 
278, 2 1 8 , 277, and 271 mm. As shown in the table, the majority 
of measurements he between 220 and 250 mm. There arc 23 
between 230 and 240, and 12 between 220 and 230, and the same 
Director ofthe “ Uoh iudebted to Professor Stirling, 
* Mr - H H - Scott iuforma 118 one of his specimens measures *94 
[ 12 ] 
inm. 
