THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
the shield and the legs there are well figured, the pose entirely disagrees with the 
Watling Drawings. These latter are absolutely figures of a species oi Por'pliyrio, 
and are drawn to scale (except the legs, and these would have appeared too short 
if accurately drawn). 
The figure, which Watling says is “one-third natural size,” gives the 
measurement of the bill, from tip to the end of the shield, 26 mm., and the wing 
(as near as can be taken) 78 mm. In life, therefore, we have bill 78 mm., wing 234. 
Dr. Sassi has forwarded me the figures for the Vienna bird as bill 76 mm., 
from tip to beginning of the shield 56, wing 230. Other measurements of this 
bird are : Tarsus 82, bare portion of tibia 35, middle toe without claw 80, outer 
toe without claw 67, inner toe without claw 57, hind toe without claw 30. 
However, the FuUca alba of White is a PorpJiyrio, and in order to show the 
differences existing in the feet of Mantellornis and Porjphyrio, I have had prepared 
the accompanying blocks, showing the leg of Mantellornis Tiochstetteriy the leg 
of the Liverpool specimen {Porphyrio Stanley i), and the leg of Fulica alba White. 
Anyone can compare these with the leg of a specimen of Porphyrio melanotus 
and judge the relationship. I also give the heads of these birds, viewed from 
above, showing how the two genera differ in that respect. 
To epitomize I find : — 
Porphyrio stanleyi Rowley, is an albino of P. melanotus. 
Fulica alba White, should be called Porphyrio albus, and must be kept 
distinct from P. melanotus. 
Notornis hochstetteri Meyer, should be generically differentiated from 
Notornis, and I have proposed for it the generic name Mantellornis. 
254 
